THE BEGINNING OF MARK THORNTON SAFARIS

Back When Adventure Was the Only Currency

In the early days, wealth wasn’t measured in dollars — it was counted in close calls, wild encounters, and the thrill of discovering the unknown. That was our view then. And honestly? It still is.

Mark Thornton Safaris was born in 1994, long before Google Maps, WhatsApp, or smooth roads to Manyara. Back then, the bush was wilder, the roads bumpier, and the idea of seeing another person out in the remote corners of the Serengeti was almost unthinkable.

It all started with a desire to explore the forgotten patches of African wilderness, to meet the old legends of the safari world and learn the secrets of walking in big game country. What began as a passion project has, over time, evolved into one of East Africa’s most respected, guide-led safari outfits.

We’ve fine-tuned our craft. We’ve meandered, adapted, and grown. But one thing has never changed: our guiding team’s deep commitment to what a safari truly means — raw, immersive, honest, and unforgettable.

And long may it last.

Here are a few snaps from the good ole’ days.

Gabriel with an orphaned cape buffalo, 1995 — **GABRIEL WITH AN ORPHANED CAPE BUFFALO, 1995**

Wilderness Maasai in camp, early days (back then, these guys still rustled cattle across the Serengeti!) — **WILDERNESS MAASAI IN CAMP, EARLY DAYS (BACK THEN THESE GUYS STILL RUSTLED CATTLE ACROSS THE SERENGETI!)**

Ugalla River exploratory - lost, but still fishing! — **UGALLA RIVER EXPLORATORY – LOST BUT STILL FISHING!**

Ancient super-dhow, Lake Victoria, 1996 — **ANCIENT SUPER-DHOW, LAKE VICTORIA, 1996**

Always an excuse for a ‘recce’ — **ALWAYS AN EXCUSE FOR A ‘RECCE’**

Cross-country, ‘97 — **CROSS-COUNTRY, 1997**

Rock-climbing, Longido, ‘90’s — **ROCK-CLIMBING LONGIDO, ‘90’s**

Camping in Maasailand with the old Cruiser HJ47 - still running! — **CAMPING IN MAASAILAND WITH THE OL’ CRUISER HJ47 – STILL RUNNING!**

The best playground — **THE BEST PLAYGROUND**