Our Timeless Story

An up-close encounter with a female lion, yellow eyes blazing, powerful muscles rippling, was the wildlife encounter that sparked Marco’s lifelong love of Africa. A born-and-bred South African living in Cape Town, this experience transforms Marco into an avid safari lover, leading to his habit of regularly introducing friends and family to his new favourite pastime.

Once Marco became a father, he starts to explore the idea of what it truly means to leave a legacy to his children and future generations.

A sensational event for YPOers from all over the world, the event leads to people asking Marco for help with their travels to Africa. What begins as an act of love for his friends soon turns into a full-time job. Marco’s YPO forum suggests that he employ someone to help him manage.

Marco and his first employee, Yuesrey, work together to formulate the tone of Timeless Africa Safaris, which focuses on putting the guest first and going beyond expectations to create incredible memories. The company begins to include donations from the proceeds of each guest’s trip to worthy African conservation and community upliftment programmes.

With a deep respect for the industry, Marco begins to establish wonderful friendships with several lodge owners including Londolozi, Singita, the Varty family, Luke Bailes and Nicky Fitzgerald and family. Well known for his larger-than-life personality and natural charisma, Marco develops his signature approach to business and relationships, “What you put in is what you get out.”

Guests continue to refer their friends and family to Timeless Africa Safaris to experience the magnificence of the African continent. Marco develops the in-house concept of “Africa Ambassadors” to define individuals who support Africa in their own nations by sharing their positive African travel stories. Africa Ambassadors also encourage their networks to travel to Africa, thereby contributing to its conservation and the upliftment of its communities.

Marco’s daughter, Casey, returns home from her travels and joins Marco at the helm of the family business. With so much exposure to the continent through her father, Casey is a natural addition to the company as she already espouses Marco’s value for intergenerational African travel.

Rwanda is emerging onto the world stage as a desirable tourist destination. Marco is at the forefront of a move to encourage international tourists to experience this beautiful region for themselves.

A Hickock award winner, Marco is personally invited to all the events, bringing some of his team along to showcase Timeless Africa Safaris to the marketplace. The invitations continue until COVID-19 interrupts gatherings and world travel.

Marco’s first grandchild, Leah is thrust into safari vehicles as an infant and soon inducted as a child safari expert. She becomes Timeless Africa Safari’s top model, appearing in the company’s marketing materials since birth. The concept of a multi generational legacy realised through the next van Embden generation solidifies Marco’s resolve to mould his granddaughter into a nurturing, Earth-loving human being through regular safari experiences and exposure to philanthropic work on the continent.

Marco strategically invites his close friends from all over the world to join him at Londolozi in South Africa to celebrate his milestone birthday, in an attempt to make them fall in love with Africa and get involved in conservation efforts.

A natural networker, Marco is presented with a variety of opportunities that lead to an expansion of the business, including destination weddings and exclusive tours for patrons of global art museums including the Guggenheim, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Centre Pompidou and The Israel Museum.

The Timeless Africa Safaris team expands to include a wonderful group of people who all carry the signature guest-first DNA and have a deeply rooted passion for Africa.

Timeless Africa Safaris becomes the preferred pre- and post-conference travel specialist for YPO members attending the GLC and Edge international conferences in Cape Town. During the same year, Marco helps to establish the Rhino Bill of Rights and assists in funding the building of two classrooms at the Boithatelo Crèche in the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

The COVID-19 pandemic hits the world. Timeless Africa Safaris moves to retain its full team of 14 people, without losing its boutique-style, family-business DNA. The team works together to tide the business over during the hard lockdown periods, ensuring they are poised to support guests when they are ready to resume travel to Africa again.

Marco always takes his three grandchildren along on safaris, building a deep love for Africa into their hearts. They are so mesmerised by the beauty of the continent they even call themselves birders. Timeless Africa Safaris regularly features their photographs in marketing materials, as required.

When you travel to Africa with Timeless Africa Safaris you leave a lasting legacy. We encourage each guest who travels with us to become an Africa Ambassador, sharing their love for the continent with their networks to help increase the amount of protected land, strengthen anti-poaching measures and support the local communities who serve Africa, while enjoying its majestic beauty.