THE STORY OF SHRIKE
Based on the conversation between Mark and Bob Chizek, Owner of Chizek Builders, Michigan, June 2013
From a Boy with a Bird
It began, as many great stories do, with a simple question.
In June 2013, after an unforgettable family safari in Tanzania, American builder Bob Chizek turned to his host and new friend, Mark.
“Mark,” he said, “your service has been incredible. But tell me—what does Shrike mean? And how did all of this begin?”
From a Small Town to Big Dreams
Mark paused, smiled, and began.
“I grew up in Magu, a small town near Mwanza.
Raised by my mother, life was humble—sometimes hard—but always filled with love.
In the early 1990s, a Dutch missionary named Christina became part of our family. She brought guests into our home, curious to learn about Tanzania.
As a boy, I guided them to the market, introduced them to our neighbors, and told them stories of our culture.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but those moments were the seed of everything I do today: sharing Tanzania with others, personally and deeply.”
The Spark of a Calling
Years later, while studying tourism, Mark guided safaris to pay for college.
One day, his cousin asked him to organize a luxury safari for an international donor.
It was a leap into the unknown.
“I crafted that safari with all my heart,” Mark told Bob.
“Every detail mattered.
When I guided Dean and Clare through the wild, I saw how much it meant to them.
It wasn’t just about animals or landscapes.
It was about creating an experience that would live forever in their memory.
That was the first time I understood what discerning travelers really seek.”
The Bird That Gave Us Our Name
Then came the moment that gave Shrike its name.
On July 7, 2007, Mark was deep in nature, studying birds.
Exhausted from the sun, he stepped into a cool cave.
There, he noticed a small bird moving gracefully across the stone—simple, unassuming, yet full of life.
A Shrike, Northern White-Crowned Shrike
“I watched it dance, and I thought: this is what I want to give others. Not the ordinary, but the kind of beauty that stops you in your tracks. That day, I decided to create something new—a company that could open people’s eyes to the wonders of Tanzania. That’s how Shrike Safaris was born.”
The shrike is a small bird with uncommon strength.
Patient, precise, and unassuming, it listens before it acts—a quiet mastery that mirrors the way we craft journeys.
At Shrike Safaris, the bird is more than our namesake;
It is our symbol of vision, attentiveness, and elegance in simplicity.
The Birth of Shrike
The beginnings were humble.
Mark and his late mother became Shrike’s first employees.
Guests came by word of mouth, telling friends about safaris that felt more like life-changing journeys than trips.
“For me, it was never about business,” Mark explained.
“It was about people. Could I support my family?
Could I give travelers something real, something unforgettable?
That was enough.”
Bob’s Insight
Listening to Mark’s story, Bob leaned backward.
“Mark,” he said, “this is why people respect you.
It’s not just your knowledge.
It’s your values—your love for Tanzania, your faith, your calm strength. That’s what sets Shrike apart.
And I want to help.
Let my daughters build you a website worthy of what you do.
That way, more people can find you and experience this for themselves.”
To Make the Story Short,
Mark & Bob Were Hooked.
Hooked on the vision that safari could be crafted with both artistry and heart.
Not merely about sightings, but about stillness under an acacia, laughter carried across open plains, and the quiet privilege of being at home in the wild.
That evening conversation became the spark behind Shrike Safaris: a promise to craft journeys where every guest feels both deeply cared for and profoundly connected.
