80% word of mouth &
50% repeat travelers
Safari Experts With Decades in the Bush
WHY US?
At Mark Thornton Safaris, every trip is led and crafted by real, experienced safari experts. No call centers. No agents reading from brochures. Just direct, one-on-one planning with a veteran guide who has spent decades walking, driving, and navigating the African bush.
When you’re going off-road — especially on foot — you want someone who’s been there. Someone who knows how to read a lion track. Someone who can find hidden routes others don’t even know exist. Someone who lives and breathes the wild.
That’s what sets us apart.
Why Choose Mark Thornton Safaris?
In the bush since 1994
Rated Best Outfitter in Africa — twice by National Geographic
Finalist & Runner-Up — World Legacy & Responsible Tourism Awards
Zero freelancers — every guide is a long-standing member of our team
Limited departures — when we’re full, we’re full
100% conservation-aligned — low-impact camps, local partnerships, and active ecosystem protection
50% repeat travelers — many return for their 2nd, 3rd… even 10th safari
80% word of mouth — our best marketing is a job well done80% word of mouth guests.
You don’t just book a safari. You join a legacy.
What makes us different?
You Talk Directly To Your Guide
From the very first email, you’ll be speaking with an actual guide — not an agent or coordinator. Together, we’ll shape your ideal itinerary: whether you’re after a raw walking safari, a luxury villa escape, or a full family adventure.
Every detail is tailored. No templates. No cookie-cutter tours.
Exclusive, Private & Personalized
We specialize in private, exclusive safaris — from hidden bush camps to private atolls, remote mobile camps to stunning boutique lodges. Whether it’s a multi-generational trip or a once-in-a-lifetime escape, we’ll organize private charter flights, secluded stays, and hand-picked guides.
We Go Where No One Else Can
It’s not just a tagline — we literally have access to exclusive zones in the Serengeti, Ruaha, and Tarangire that are closed to everyone else. Imagine 600 square kilometers of national park… all to yourself.
Low-Impact, High-Meaning
Our camps are lightweight, mobile, and leave no trace. Every itinerary is carbon offset through Carbon Tanzania. Sustainability isn’t a buzzword for us — it’s built into everything we do.
Conservation in Action
We don’t just donate to conservation — we help lead it. From community engagement to serving on the board of a Tanzanian NGO, we stay hands-on in protecting the ecosystems we guide in.
Safari Experts Recognized by the Best
Our safaris have been featured in National Geographic, The New York Times, Travel + Leisure, Outside Magazine, and more. We’ve been named “Best Trips of the Year” multiple times — not for glitz, but for authenticity, exclusivity, and expert guiding.