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Private, Tailor-Made Journeys Across East Africa | Operating Since 2007
About Shrike Safaris
Thoughtful Journeys, Designed With Care
Chacha has been guiding with Shrike since our earliest days. Beside him, his son Wambura — carrying the same calling forward.
Shrike Safaris Designs Private, Tailor-made Journeys Across East Africa for Travelers who Value Time, Perspective, and a Sense of Ease.
Since 2007, we have worked quietly on the ground in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Zanzibar Island:
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Guiding travelers through landscapes we know deeply,
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Designing journeys that unfold naturally, without haste or excess.
Our work begins not with routes or lodges, but with listening.
Our Story
Shrike Safaris was founded in East Africa with a clear purpose:
— to offer an alternative to rushed, checklist-style safaris.
In the early years, our founders and guides spent long days in the field:
— learning seasons, reading landscapes, and understanding how wildlife, people, and travelers move through this part of the world.
What emerged was a different way of working:
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Fewer journeys, designed carefully
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Private guiding, never shared
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Time allowed for places to reveal themselves naturally
Rather than growing quickly, we chose to grow thoughtfully.
That decision continues to shape every journey we design today.
Mark Madola, the founder. Based in Tanzania, guiding and designing journeys since 2007.
Rooted in Place
Shrike Safaris was founded in Tanzania and remains locally based in East Africa.
Being on the ground allows us to design with realism and care - responding to seasons, conditions, and subtle details that cannot be planned from afar.
It also allows us to work closely with guides and partners we have known for many years.
Our guides are not seasonal hires.
They are custodians of place, some now guiding alongside the next generation.
Our Guides
Our guides are at the heart of the Shrike Safaris experience.
They are not seasonal hires.
Many have been guiding with Shrike since our earliest days, and some now guide alongside the next generation.
They bring:
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Calm authority
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Deep regional and wildlife knowledge
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An instinct for reading both the land and the traveler
Guests often tell us that this is where the difference becomes unmistakable.
How We Design Journeys
Every Shrike safari begins with a conversation.
Before recommending a park, a route, or a lodge, we take time to understand:
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How you like to travel
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Your preferred pace and level of comfort
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What moments matter most to you
Often, our advice is to do less, not more.
By allowing time to linger and space to rest, journeys unfold naturally — without pressure or exhaustion.
Thoughtful Travel and Responsibility
We believe travel should contribute positively to the places it touches.
Through everyday decisions about whom we work with, how we operate, and how we support local initiatives, including our 360° Impact Safari — we aim to ensure that travel benefits both guests and communities.
This is not separate from our work. It is part of how we travel.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The name Shrike comes from a small but remarkable bird — the Northern White Crowned Shrike, known for patience, precision, and an instinct to observe before acting.
It reflects how we approach travel by:
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Watching closely
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Listening carefully
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Choosing the right moment rather than rushing ahead.
Who We Are Best Suited For
Shrike Safaris is a good fit for travelers who:
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Prefer private, unhurried travel
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Value guidance over persuasion
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Appreciate thoughtful planning and clear communication
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Want to feel supported from the first conversation to their return home
If you are looking for the cheapest option or a fast-moving checklist safari, we may not be the right fit and we are comfortable being transparent about that.