How it all began...
Offbeat Safaris was founded by Tristan Voorspuy in 1990, beginning purely as a riding safari outfitter, based out of Deloraine House. However, this all changed when Piers Winkworth came to work for Tristan in 2002. Falling in love with Kenya and looking for an exciting new venture, by 2005 Piers had joined Tristan to offer a non-riding side of safaris, in the form of Offbeat Mara Camp. The Offbeat Safaris collection remains small and personal and true to its traditional safari roots.
Our Directors
Tristan Voorspuy - Owner & founder of Offbeat Safaris
Tristan was born in South Africa but schooled and raised in Sussex, England. He spent a brief period at Agricultural College before joining the British Army in 1975 for a three year Short Service Commission which he extended for another three years. A total of six years in the army including a two year stint as a ceremonial mounted cavalry officer inspired a wanderlust and return to Africa. After leaving the army in 1981 he drove a motorbike from London to Cape Town for nine months, looking for work opportunities in Africa. Having heard of mounted safaris pioneered by Tony Church in Kenya, he applied for a job and spent six years guiding with Tony before beginning Offbeat Safaris in 1990.
Tristan led mounted and other safari's professionally for 32 years in East Africa and ridden in Botswana, South Africa, Ethiopia, Malawi, Namibia, Uganda and Zimbabwe. He held a Kenya gold level certificate of the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association and is an honorary warden of the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Cindy, Archie & Imogen Voorspuy
After Tristan tragically passed away in 2017, his wife Cindy and his two children, Archie & Imo knew that they had to keep Tristan's incredible legacy alive. Offbeat riding safaris continue to operate with the same thrill and adventure that Tristan had made them so famous for, with our team of riding guides who have all been through the 'school of Tristan'! Cindy manages the business and runs the wonderful Deloraine House, home to the 60 safari horses and polo ponies that the Voorspuy's have bred over the years.
Piers Winkworth - Owner & Director of Offbeat Mara Camp and Offbeat Ndoto
Piers was born in the UK and grew up around horses on his parent’s racehorse training yard and stud farm. Aged 26 years, Piers came out to Kenya to help Tristan on the riding safaris for a three-month working holiday. Today, some 19 years later he is still here!
In 2005 Piers officially became a partner in Offbeat and helped develop the non-riding side to the company, offering photographic and walking safaris from Offbeat Mara Camp. In 2021 he opened the tent flaps to his dream camp, Offbeat Ndoto.
Piers is married to Nina and has two young boys, Charlie and Caspar.
“All the staff we met here were exceptional. Nothing was too much trouble, and every request was carried out with a smile. Makes for a really lovely experience.”