Mark Saunders

“Living in the natural world is an inspiration. Working and hopefully adding value to the natural world is a privilege. Doing this with a passionate group of people at your side is an absolute delight.”

Mark was born in Triangle and developed his love for the bush from an early age through regular visits to Gonarezhou National Park and Lone Star Ranch, now Malilangwe. Those experiences sparked a lifelong connection to wildlife, wild places and the people who live alongside them.

He was educated at Murray McDougal School and Falcon College, where he served as Head Boy in 1987, before earning a Bachelor of Social Science from Rhodes University in South Africa and a diploma in tobacco culture from Blackfordby Institute. After 10 years in tobacco farming, Mark became Executive Director of The Malilangwe Trust in 2010. In 2021, he also took on the role of CEO of a private African portfolio, overseeing operations across Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Mark is a passionate conservationist with a deep commitment to protecting biodiversity, supporting communities and helping sustainable tourism thrive in Zimbabwe, especially in the south-eastern Lowveld. He is widely respected for his ability to build strong, trusted relationships with neighbours, communities and stakeholders, and he sits on a number of conservation-related boards.