Besides, what does “Shrike” mean? I’m also curious to know more about you... Mark, if it’s not too personal, I’d like to hear about your life, your background, your family and where you’ve come from, and everything...

In 2005, I headed to college and started to do a degree in tourism. Then, I was working for tour companies at the time as a freelance tour guide for both East Africa safaris and Kilimanjaro treks, it was a part—time job to fund my way through College. I’ll never forget, I was on the call with my cousin Alex Magaga, a founding member of Standing Voice—an international non-governmental organization based in Tanzania and the UK, they fight for the rights of persons with albinism in Africa...
And then Alex said, oh, look, I want you to organize a custom luxury safari for one of our esteemed donors, Dean, and his wife Clare. Do you guys do that? Me being the ambitious safari guide, I was like, yeah, I can help you with that. Wrapped up that call, got off, went, and spoke to one of the tour operators—Mr. Josh who was the owner of Exotic Expeditions at that time, was like, look, I just told my cousin that we can manage to organize the custom luxury safari for Dean. However, I just came to realize that this tour operator didn’t even know what the discerning travelers need at that time we were organizing trips for the budget to mid-range travelers, and he said, well, you're a safari guide and you better figure it out—I trust you, Mark.
I managed to organize Dean's safari—I expertly crafted his itinerary and professionally guided him, and the safari turned out to be A—Once—In—A—Lifetime—Experience. And I really went deep and researched custom, attention to detail, and luxury safaris and Kilimanjaro treks, and basically started running this service within the company that I started working for.

On Saturday, July 7, 2007, I traveled deep into nature to learn more about bird species, their habitats, and living patterns. Around mid—day, the sun became so intense that I sought respite in a cool and damp cave.
While resting, I noticed a small bird that appeared to be dancing. It was hopping around the cave, from one side to the other, and I found myself transfixed in watching its graceful movements. I was mesmerized by the way the bird moved, her simple coloring, and the easy way she glided across the damp rock.
​This bird was a member of the Shrike species. At this moment, I made it my mission to create a safari company that could not only do a lot better than what this company I was working for but also would allow other persons to get inspired by the small acts of nature, just as I had been on this day. It was in a cool, breezy cave, watching the beauty and simplicity of nature, that the idea for Shrike Safaris was born.

Yeah, wow. Amazing... You are already a very successful guy with a family that loves you and with people that meet you and feel a high level of respect for you. That respect comes from, in part your passion for Tanzania, your dedication to the environment, your confidence with your guiding skills, and, this is a big one (at least for me) your personal values, family values, Christian values, and just plain and simple life values. Your calm and reassuring nature also helps to build people's respect and confidence. What steps did you go through and how far have you grown up after establishing Shrike..?

The same month I decided to establish Shrike Safaris. I shared the idea with some of my friends and relatives and I started hosting guests... my marketing strategy was based on the word—of—mouth by satisfied customers. Thanks to my Swiss friend, Nick who did his best to make sure he recommends SHRIKE to all his friends... Then, I started hosting a few new guests, and by the end of that summer break, my schedule was a little bit tight, and thought, look, why should I go back to the college and learn how to operate safaris and treks when I’ve got guests on my hands right now...
My mother and I became the first employees of Shrike, initially as a Tanzanian local tour guide and then as Managing Director. My mother is currently a CFO. I could not have been more prepared for the task, after the experience I had accumulated organizing custom safaris and Kilimanjaro treks at the company I worked as a freelancer.
I didn’t really think of myself as a good businessman, I’m really too soft, for me, it’s not the money, but, whether I can gain a living and help the people around me and while I’m doing that...

Yeah, that’s amazing, Mark... Well, I have an idea that I hope would help Shrike. Due to the exceptional safari experiences, you have offered us—my family would be happy to assist you to construct a website that reflects the service we have experienced. Would you let my daughters Lisa and Jen design your website? They are both very good at that and have some experience in doing web design. I also think you might benefit from playing up your safari customization ability, there is a lot of discerning travelers in the world that have that interest, and I’ll bet you could catch most of them for a focused custom safari. This would not cost you anything and it might help, if you want to do this Lisa would reach out to you and let you know what she would need, such as some pictures, your vision, etc. Let me know what you think...

Bob, thank you so much for thinking positively of the Shrike...
For all these years we have mostly depended on word—of—mouth marketing. While we firmly believe this to be the very best way to market, I have to bow to the changing world so that all people who search for Tanzania safari or Kilimajaro Treks have access to a new Shrike website.Folks have been hearing about Shrike from other safari—goers or from a reference in a book or where ever and contact us. We then work out a trip tailored to the season, duration, travel style, and any specific interests. Having our own website would be ideal.