Our Story
Our story
Offbeat Safaris was founded by the late Tristan Voorspuy and his wife Lucinda in 1989, beginning as a specialised horse riding safari operator. Having worked for the Voorspuy’s for several years and in love with Kenya, Piers Winkworth bought into the business and in 2005 opened his original property, Offbeat Mara Camp. Since then the portfolio has quietly grown and today The Offbeat Safaris collection is a small and personal grouping of unique camps and lodges.
In 2023, having been involved with Offbeat Safaris for over 15 years, Simon and Rosy Kenyon took the plunge and alongside Jakob von Plessen and Daisy Soames bought the Voorspuy family shares in the company. Our dynamic young team of directors aspires to continue the Offbeat legacy, both in authentic and horse-riding safaris.
Read MoreDeloraine
The Voorspuys moved to Deloraine.
Sosian
The Voorspuys and other keen conservationists (including Rosy’s father and Jakob’s mother) purchased Sosian.
Addition of Piers to the Team
Piers Winkworth came to work for The Voorspuys.
Formation of the The Offbeat Collection
Piers became a partner in Offbeat and launched the new Offbeat Collection to include Sosian, Offbeat Mara, and the now-closed Offbeat Meru, creating a circuit for non-riders. Offbeat Safaris Holdings, our Tour Operating business, was launched from an office on Nanyuki airstrip.
Founding of Mara North Conservancy
Tristan and Piers were part of the team that co-founded Mara North Conservancy.
Operations base Nairobi
Offbeat Reservations Office moved to Karen, Nairobi, and grew into an East African Tour Operator.
Ekorian
Ekorian’s Mugie Camp joined the Offbeat Collection.
Opening of Offbeat Ndoto
Piers’ newest camp, Offbeat Ndoto opened
Purchase of Offbeat Riding Safaris
A team that included Simon and Rosy Kenyon, Jakob Von Plessen, and Daisy Soames acquired Offbeat Riding Safaris from the Voorspuy family. Simon first started guiding with Tristan in 2007, and he and Rosy managed Sosian from 2012. Jakob first came to help on the riding Safaris in 1999, and Daisy started in 2012.
Our Team
Piers Winkworth
Owner & Director of Offbeat Safaris, Offbeat Mara Camp & Offbeat Ndoto
Piers first came to Kenya in 2002, to learn the ropes of our infamous riding safaris under the tutelage of the legendary, late Tristan Voorspuy. After three years of riding through the Mara, Piers started work on his own camps. By June 2005 he opened Offbeat Mara Camp and helped expand the Offbeat tour operating team.
Twenty years on, Piers is married to Nina and has two boys Charlie and Caspar. Passionate about the Mara, a founding and board member of the beautiful Mara North Conservancy, Piers has a highly positive attitude for Kenya and her tourism and looks forward to many more adventures in the years to come.
Simon & Rosy Kenyon
Owners & Directors of Offbeat Safaris & Offbeat Riding Safaris
Simon and Rosy Kenyon have been guiding Offbeat Riding Safaris in Kenya over the past 15 years, recently taking the reins when they bought the company, along with Jakob Von Plessen and Daisy Soames, from the Voorspuy family.
Simon grew up on a farm in Laikipia near Mount Kenya and has a degree in Zoology. His extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for the natural world provide a unique experience for his guests. Simon's sense of fun is infectious, and his safaris are a trip of a lifetime.
Rosy grew up in England and came to Kenya after university, where she and Simon managed Sosian Lodge before moving to Offbeat Riding Safaris. She manages all the intricate logistics of mobilising these incredible safaris with the huge team of staff, horses, vehicles, and camps that go with it. It's a massive undertaking which Rosy does with such ease. Every orchestra needs a conductor, and Rosy is certainly that. Rosy is a warm and friendly host, making sure you are beautifully looked after throughout your stay.
Daisy Soames
Owner & Director of Offbeat Riding Safaris
Daisy began her career in riding safaris with Offbeat in 2012. After graduating university, she came to Kenya to work full time on safari. She has guiding qualifications in both South Africa and Kenya, and has worked extensively throughout the country, as well as having worked on riding safaris in Botswana and Argentina. She spends half of the year in Kenya and the other half guiding safaris in Patagonia. She is passionate about wildlife and wild places and adores introducing people to both. Daisy is a highly knowledgeable horse woman and safari guide as well as being wonderfully entertaining!
Jakob von Plessen
Owner & Director of Offbeat Riding Safaris
Born and raised in Argentina, Jakob is a highly proficient horseman. He worked for Offbeat's founder, Tristan Voorspuy, for nearly 20 years and on any riding safari with Jakob you quickly appreciate he is an inspirational source of knowledge for Kenya's wildlife as well as being the perfect host. Jakob is fluent in German, Spanish, English, and French. Jakob is normally based in Argentina, running his own riding safari company, but he still manages to get back to Kenya in between seasons.
Where to stay
Our Properties
