Our Story

Sundowner

Doing Safaris in East Africa and getting great enjoyment out of sharing their love and passion for the continent it’s people, wildlife, and the far flung secluded places were discovered of such intense natural beauty and importance. Whilst sitting around a campfire gin and tonic in hand, roasting a leg of lamb on a smoky fire, a ring of cowardly hyena hanging around just out of the fire’s light, hoping for some tit-bits. We reminisce the amazing day of game viewing and adventure we were toasting good night. An idea was born...

Our Philosophy

We allow ourselves to think a little differently to others. Our entire philosophy is to make it all one big happy family. Happy guests, happy agents, happy communities, happy wildlife and happy staff. We aim to give our guests a unique but wonderful experience of Africa, off the well beaten tracks and yet all the creature comforts, to make that special adventure for those who dare to not follow the crowds.
And.. to do all this all while protecting and improving the environment, the lives of our communities and our flora and fauna...

Our Team

MARIO ENZESBERGER​

MARIO ENZESBERGER

FOUNDER / CEO

Mario, born in Salzburg, Austria, studied at the College for Tourism in Salzburg before beginning an apprenticeship in the local travel agency Ruefa. After spen…

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ANDREAS HENCKELL

ANDREAS HENCKELL

FOUNDER / PARTNER

Born in July 1960, Andreas’ life is a tale of transformation. Well-settled in the high-paced world of investment banking across London, New York, and Frankfurt….

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Richard Corcoran

RICHARD CORCORAN

FOUNDER / Managing Director

Born in Nairobi, Richard has spent all his life in Kenya, building up the most extensive product knowledge of East Africa, and all aspects of tourism. He started…

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NIKITA SHAH

Nikita Shah

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Nikita was born and brought up in Nairobi where she completed her Primary and Secondary education. From there she travelled to London to study accounting at Lon…

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GILL ENZESBERGER

GILL ENZESBERGER

GENERAL MANAGER CARDAMOM HOUSE

Gill is a proud African originating from Cape Town. She spent many years travelling the world, both by sea and air. Her latest travel has seen her put down root…

READ MORE
LAWRENCE KAZUNGU

LAWRENCE KAZUNGU

GENERAL MANAGER INSTINCT OF THE MARA

Kazungu was born in the sleepy village of Malindi on the Kenyan Coast. After completing his primary and secondary education in Malindi he took up a job as a coo…

READ MORE
SAMWEL KYEMBENI

SAMWEL KYEMBENI

GENERAL MANAGER KIPALO HILLS

Chemben was born in Kitui and spent his childhood around some of the greatest old trackers and gun bearers from the hunting era. The campfire tales and stories….

READ MORE
HENRY SANOE

HENRY SANOE

head of guiding

Henry was born in Maasai land and completed his primary and secondary education in Narok. He went on to study mechanical engineering in Nairobi. Henry worked in…

READ MORE
DANIEL MWANZIA

DANIEL MWANZIA

DEPUTY MANAGER CARDAMOM HOUSE

Daniel Mwanzia was born and raised in Kitui county. Kitui is dominated by the Kamba tribe, of which Daniel is a proud representative. Kitui means, a place where…

READ MORE
FRED LENJIR

FRED LENJIR

GUIDE

Fred was born in a small village in the foothills of the famous Loita Hills, where Maa traditions hold strong in the impenetrable forest of Loita. He attended P…

READ MORE
JOSHUA LEPERES

JOSHUA LEPERES

GUIDE

Joshua was born and brought up in the same conservancy where he guides today, Olderkesi. He attended primary school in the local area and went on to High School…

READ MORE
SANKALE NTAYIA / NJOROLAI

SANKALE NTAYIA / NJOROLAI

SPOTTER

Njorolai means a friend who is a fellow warrior and this man is such a perfect example of a friendly warrior, that the name stuck. Born in Nairosra, Maasai Mara…

READ MORE
Zuhura

ZUHURA

EXECUTIVE CHEF CARDAMOM HOUSEE

Zuhura was born and raised in Lamu the oldest town on the Kenyan coast, a world heritage site with the oldest best preserved Swahili architecture. “Zuzu”, as sh…

READ MORE
MACKDONALD OGATI

MACKDONALD OGATI

EXECUTIVE CHEF INSTINCT OF THE MARA

Mack was born in Nairobi and completed his studies there. After graduating from High School in 2015 he went on to join the Amboseli College of Hospitality. Afte…

READ MORE
DANIEL BAYA

DANIEL BAYA

EXECUTIVE CHEF KIPALO HILLS

Daniel was born and brought up in Mida on the Kenyan Coast, where he did his primary and secondary education. He developed his passion for cooking and flavors i…

READ MORE
Yusuf Bonaya

YUSUF BONAYA

head ranger

Yusuf was born in Asa into the fearless Orma tribe, his father was the Chief in Asa and a great help with Kenya Wildlife Service. Together with his father, he r…

READ MORE
BONIFACE MGANGA

BONIFACE MGANGA

community liaison

Boniface was born and brought up in Mbulia and attended both primary and secondary school there. He joined Secluded Africa as a ranger fresh out of high school….

READ MORE
ANNE WANJIRU

ANNE WANJIRU

SALES MANAGER

Anne passionately pursues marketing the luxury and exclusive high-end lodges and camps offer an incredible safari experience. Her extensive wealth of experience…

READ MORE
SUSAN RATTA

SUSAN RATTA

RESERVATIONS MANAGER

Susan was born in the lake-side city of Kenya, Kisumu. She studied in the Rift Valley province for her primary and secondary education. Then went to Maseno Univ…

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CONTACT

Secluded African Properties Ltd.
Convent Road, Nairobi – Kenia

Phone: (+254) 737 199 870
Mail: bookings@secludedafrica.com

MARIO ENZESBERGER​
MARIO ENZESBERGER​
FOUNDER / CEO

Mario, born in Salzburg, Austria, studied at the College for Tourism in Salzburg before beginning an apprenticeship in the local travel agency Ruefa. After spending a year in South Africa developing a more global mind, he returned to Europe to become the MD of AirConti in Austria, Munich-based tour operator which later became part of TUI. Over the next decade he grew to lead the Upper Austrian travel agency chain for 5 years.

In 1990 with the fall of the Iron Curtain Mario seized the opportunity and ventured to Prague, Czech Republic, to establish his first Liberty office with just 3 employees with a simple vision in mind: To make it the leading independent DMC group. He spent 9 years in Prague overseeing the business and expanding to become the global enterprise. Today Liberty offices are present in more than 50 countries and operating in over 100 countries worldwide, still Prague remains an important location for Liberty in East Europe.

Mario has been in love with Africa since his first visit in the 80’s and has been Kenyan resident for over a decade. He owns lodges in Kenya including a conservancy and is passionate about nature conservation. Mario travels 7-9 months a year to oversee the offices worldwide and loves to spend time with his son and wife.

ANDREAS HENCKELL
ANDREAS HENCKELL
FOUNDER / PARTNER

Born in July 1960, Andreas’ life is a tale of transformation. Well-settled in the high-paced world of investment banking across London, New York, and Frankfurt, he found himself looking for more. In search of new challenges, he left the banking world, leading into a partnership with Mario with his venture – Liberty International Tourism Group, a leading Global Destination Management Company.

But it was Africa that truly captured Andreas’ heart. His travels to the continent, beginning early in life,
ignited a profound connection. Particularly impactful was 2008, when he and Mario stood before a vast
beach front land in Kuruwitu, an hour north of Mombasa, seeing a dream together. This dream became
reality with our very own – Cardamom House.

The turning point came when Andreas met Richard, a tourism expert and safari veteran passionate about
conservation in Kenya, through Mario. Together and inspired, the three founded Secluded Africa, a series
of unique lodges offering a 5-star experience while committed to protect wildlife and support
communities.

Secluded Africa is more than business; it is personal. Andreas’ children, Jan and Lukas, grew up in the
middle of these adventures, their vacations spent exploring the African wilderness, a stark contrast to
their father’s urban life. Andreas loves this mix of city life and the wild, untamed beauty of Kenya and
Africa at large.

Today, Andreas’ journey is the perfect example of a life embraced in its fullest – from the calculated
corridors of banking to the free-spirited expanses of Africa. It’s a narrative of change, exploration, and the quest for new horizons.

Richard Corcoran
RICHARD CORCORAN
FOUNDER / Managing Director

Born in Nairobi, Richard has spent all his life in Kenya, building up the most extensive product knowledge of East Africa, and all aspects of tourism.

He started his life in tourism at a very early age, when he was manager of a Safari Club in the Great Rift Valley. He then went on to run a bush camp in Tsavo National Park in eastern Kenya. Richard subsequently worked for a large tour operator in Nairobi, for 11 years starting as a tour guide, and working his way up to operations manager, handling 20,000 clients a year. His wide experience and professionalism ensured that the company maintained it’s excellent reputation in field operations, client relations and reliable transportation.

In 1997 Richard together with his wife Annie established a well re-known Safari company, operating a wide variety of safaris throughout East Africa.

Richard with his partners Mario and Andreas started Secluded Africa to create a unique group of camps and lodges that would give guests a unique experience of Africa.

Richard is a naturalist and conservationist, who is always ready to share his love of the African bush with clients and friends. A fountain of knowledge and a fabulous fireside companion, Richard bursts with inherited Irish tribal passion and will expound colourful fact and theory.

NIKITA SHAH
NIKITA SHAH
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Nikita was born and brought up in Nairobi where she completed her Primary and Secondary education. From there she travelled to London to study accounting at London School of Business and Finance. As soon as she graduated, Nikita came back home to Kenya, the country she loves. The next six years saw Nikita working in various accounting roles in Nairobi and marrying the love of her life, Parag.

Nikita was a regular guest at Secluded Africa’s lodges and she became enthused by the vision of the company and the work being done protecting the wildlife and looking after the communities. She left her accounting jobs in Nairobi and decided to follow her passion and joined the Secluded Africa family in 2018. Her knowledge of accounting and controls has made her an invaluable member of the management team.

Nikita has a natural, easy-going and caring nature that makes her the perfect host. Her passion for the wildlife and the communities we look after, is very apparent as she runs the operations of the Trust.

GILL ENZESBERGER
GILL ENZESBERGER
GENERAL MANAGER CARDAMOM HOUSE

Gill is a proud African originating from Cape Town. She spent many years travelling the world, both by sea and air. Her latest travel has seen her put down roots on the East African coast of Kenyan with her family. This decision was largely driven by spending an exciting two to three months per year for six years outside of Europe in Kenya. These years fostered the idea of what could possibly be. The fortunate luck of identifying a very suitable school for their son, clinched the deal. She and her family moved to Kuruwitu, Vipingo in September 2018.

And in that the story of Cardamom House began. With an extensive background in Marketing and Relationship Management, Gill is part of the Secluded Africa team using her skills and expertise to develop and manage Cardamom House. Her passion to empower women has resulted in an all-female kitchen in an industry dominated in Kenya by men. The presence of women in other departments is highly visibly. There is a strong focus on employing personnel from the local communities, providing training and the relevant competencies and in so doing uplifting the community.

Being part of the Secluded Africa team has highlighted the significance to Gill of how one can contribute to both communities and wildlife. For Gill, waking up every day on the East African coast is the pleasure of creating new experiences for our guests, building memorable experiences!
Memories are the simple things created by a personal touch, by Gill.

LAWRENCE KAZUNGU
LAWRENCE KAZUNGU
GENERAL MANAGER INSTINCT OF THE MARA

Kazungu was born in the sleepy village of Malindi on the Kenyan Coast. After completing his primary and secondary education in Malindi he took up a job as a cook in one of Malindi’s large hotels in 1978. In 1982 Kazungu started working with a mango community project and the building of the very first tented camp in Tana Delta (which would go on eventually to become “Delta Dunes”). In 2008 Kazungu joined Secluded’s Family by default when they bought and build the lodge in the Delta.

Kazungu worked his way up the ranks and became manager of Delta Dunes in 2012. He now brings his cheerful, happy smile to Instinct of The Mara which he runs with great passion. Kazungu is an honored member of the Kenya Police Reserve and is quite a marksman. His experience and knowledge greatly improve the Mara property.

SAMWEL KYEMBENI
SAMWEL KYEMBENI
GENERAL MANAGER KIPALO HILLS

Chemben was born in Kitui and spent his childhood around some of the greatest old trackers and gun bearers from the hunting era. The campfire tales and stories inspired Chemben to follow his career in Safaris and Camps.

He has worked with and become a lifetime ally to some of the great names in the business, like Glen Cottar, Trevor and Alex Walker to name a few. Chemben and Richard have worked together on and off for over 30 years. He was promoted to Manager of Kipalo Hills in 2013 and has helped build Kipalo and the conservancy to where it is today. Chemben is a lively, welcoming, and caring person that has incredible knowledge of the bush.

HENRY SANOE
HENRY SANOE
head of guiding

Henry was born in Maasai land and completed his primary and secondary education in Narok. He went on to study mechanical engineering in Nairobi. Henry worked in various industries and finally found his true passion and calling in conservation and tourism in 2012.

After guiding in and around Soysambu, he went on to join the Soysambu team. He quickly worked his way up to Conservancy Manager and ran all wildlife and conservation projects for 7 years.
Henry joined the Secluded Africa family in 2022 and brought with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Henry is now our Head of Guiding in the mara camp.

His passion for birds, trees and shrubs comes naturally and is infective. This has lifted the level of all our guides. A day on safari with Henry is a treat full of information, natural charm and humor.

DANIEL MWANZIA
DANIEL MWANZIA
DEPUTY MANAGER CARDAMOM HOUSE

Daniel Mwanzia was born and raised in Kitui county. Kitui is dominated by the Kamba tribe, of which Daniel is a proud representative. Kitui means, a place where iron goods are made. The Kamba ironsmiths settled in the area before the colonial period and named the area Kitui.
During his school years Daniel was a hard worker and became a role model to many other students. Despite his very quiet demeanour, he is very friendly and sociable which attracted the attention of his teachers and was appointed Class Leader at both the primary and secondary schools he attended.
After completing primary and secondary education, Daniel began working at his village school. The very school at which his father taught before his retirement at the age of 55 years old.

Within a few months of teaching Daniel was introduced to the Hospitality industry, which he took to like a “duck to water”. His first exposure to the industry was working at the Serian Camps Maasai Mara. He started his upcoming hospitality career as a waiter and took up the offer of training as a stock controller, later confirming his new role as the company’s Storekeeper.
Finding his feet in the industry Daniel wanted to explore further. His exploration led him to Cardamom House where he started once again as a waiter. His competencies were noted and after a settling period, Daniel has progressed to a Trainee Manager. He has taken on the challenge with tremendous positive energy, still with his quiet demeanour and very friendly and sociable character. He too is a role model to other staff, as to what is possible.

When not spending time at Cardamom House he is a committed family man and a father of two and for the purposes of exploring all possibilities, has moved his family from Kitui to Shariani, to keep the family together. Daniels commitment and loyalty always shines through.

FRED LENJIR
FRED LENJIR
GUIDE

Fred was born in a small village in the foothills of the famous Loita Hills, where Maa traditions hold strong in the impenetrable forest of Loita. He attended Primary school near home and went on to High School in Narok town. Fred learnt his passion for wildlife and guiding from his older brother, Samson Lenjir, who was the senior warden of the Mara Game Reserve.

In pursuit of his newfound intrigue, Fred joined Koyaki Guiding School and did a complete two years course. He then worked for the next 12 years for three different camps as a driver / guide and completed a number of other courses including bird watching and identification.

Fred joined Secluded Africa as the first driver / guide the day we opened the Instinct of The Mara and has been with us ever since. His knowledge, experience and sense of humour accompanied by his caring nature make him a perfect guide and companion.

JOSHUA LEPERES
JOSHUA LEPERES
GUIDE

Joshua was born and brought up in the same conservancy where he guides today, Olderkesi. He attended primary school in the local area and went on to High School in Longisa on the other side of the Mara. After high school, Joshua went on to do a tourism course in Narok. He is now a respected elder in the community and knows this conservancy better than anyone I know.

His calm and quiet demeanour hides and intense passion for the communities and wildlife, but most of all pleasing his guests. We are lucky to have Joshua on our guiding team as a mentor for the younger guides.

SANKALE NTAYIA / NJOROLAI
SANKALE NTAYIA / NJOROLAI
SPOTTER

Njorolai means a friend who is a fellow warrior and this man is such a perfect example of a friendly warrior, that the name stuck. Born in Nairosra, Maasai Mara, he never set foot in any formal school. His school was herding his father’s livestock over the great plains of the Mara. This “school of hard knocks” has produced a true scholar and gentleman. A gentle soul with an excellent work ethic and passion for life.

As a boy he had some real life adventures out there alone in the wild, including a run in with lion. This has all given Njorolai a knowledge and feeling for the bush and nature that cannot be matched. His English is almost non-existent but his spotter and colleague are fluent. We would say a day on safari with Njorolai is an incredibly fulfilling and humbling experience.

Zuhura
ZUHURA
EXECUTIVE CHEF CARDAMOM HOUSE

Zuhura was born and raised in Lamu the oldest town on the Kenyan coast, a world heritage site with the oldest best preserved Swahili architecture. “Zuzu”, as she is fondly known as was influenced largely by her father. He grew up as a “beach boy “on the island earning his living as a Fisherman. Delivering his fish from one island to another progressed into cooking fresh fish for restaurants. The Father turned fisherman into chef had a huge influence on Zuzu’s passion of cooking. She had come to acquire around being in the kitchen with her father. Her knowledge from sourcing the freshest produce and preparation of local dishes was all grounded in her earlier years of spending time assisting her father preparing meals.

Zuzu’s first venture into working in a restaurant was at a local coastal village restaurant. In Kenya, the culinary environment is largely dominated by males, though underpinned by her deep interest and passion for cooking she adapted with ease proofing to herself that are career in the kitchen is where she wanted to be. She arrived at Cardamom House, as the world was slowly coming out of COVID. Having the fortunate circumstance of time Cardamom House introduced Zuzu to international cuisine, which opened her palette to a whole new world.

She is continuously furthering her cooking skills and palette with the assistance of international guest chefs to Cardamom House and spending pleasurable time references delicious recipes cooking books.
Currently Zuzu leads an all-female team delivering a world class Swahili Fusion experience.at Cardamom House.

MACKDONALD OGATI
MACKDONALD OGATI
EXECUTIVE CHEF INSTINCT OF THE MARA

Mack was born in Nairobi and completed his studies there. After graduating from High School in 2015 he went on to join the Amboseli College of Hospitality. After getting his diploma in 2017 in hospitality management he chose to pursue his passion of cooking and chose the kitchen over an office.

Mack joined Secluded Africa’s family in 2019 as a trainee chef and soon became a valuable member of a busy kitchen. He was promoted to Head Chef at Instinct of the Mara in 2020 and has never looked back. Mack has a great personality and a great sense of humour. His passion for cooking is un-matched and he loves to share his menus and recipes with guests.

DANIEL BAYA
DANIEL BAYA
EXECUTIVE CHEF KIPALO HILLS

Daniel was born and brought up in Mida on the Kenyan Coast, where he did his primary and secondary education. He developed his passion for cooking and flavors in Malindi, where there is a heavy Italian and Arabic influence, with a lot of seafood. He joined the Secluded Africa family at the beginning of 2008 at Delta Dunes where he became a master of seafood.

Daniel now heads up the kitchen at Kipalo Hills, which he runs with passion, gusto and humor. His “Barry White” voice announcing his menu each mealtime has become legendary and an important part of Kipalo. Daniel loves to share his passion for life, cooking and taste with all his guests and colleagues.

Yusuf Bonaya
YUSUF BONAYA
head ranger

Yusuf was born in Asa into the fearless Orma tribe, his father was the Chief in Asa and a great help with Kenya Wildlife Service. Together with his father, he rescued a baby Kudu and nurtured it back to health, later relocating it into the wild. “And there I saw the importance of protecting wild animals!” – Yusuf Bonaya.

After completing his primary and secondary education, he joined the Kenya Wildlife Service in 2012. In 2017 he then joined the Secluded Africa team, when he was brought to us by one of our trustees, Danny Woodley. Yusuf is a fearless warrior and a leader of men. His compassion for the wildlife and the local communities has been a major contributor to the successes of Mbulia Conservancy. He is also a doting father of 2 beautiful girls and a baby boy born this year.

BONIFACE MGANGA
BONIFACE MGANGA
community liaison

Boniface was born and brought up in Mbulia and attended both primary and secondary school there. He joined Secluded Africa as a ranger fresh out of high school in 2012. He was an active member of the anti-poaching unit and proved his dedication and loyalty to the cause.

Boniface quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to deputy head ranger. In 2020 he took on the very important role of “community liaison officer” where he controls and oversees all community projects.
He is an amazing man, with a calm, easy going nature. His love and passion for the local community and the wildlife makes him so good at his job.

He has actually become the guardian parent of all the 60+ children we are educating, some of which are orphans. To spend a day with Boniface in the villages and schools is incredibly rewarding and interesting.

ANNE WANJIRU
ANNE WANJIRU
SALES MANAGER

Anne passionately pursues marketing the luxury and exclusive high end lodges and camps that offer an incredible safari experience. Her extensive wealth of experience in the tourism industry has extensively sharpened her interpersonal skills, equipping her with a flexible attitude to richly interact with people cutting across all cultures and nationalities.

Born in Murang’a Kenya, she studied at Kenya Utalii College gaining her skills and knowledge which equipped her in taking up roles spanning from front office operations, reservations and guest relations, rising up to supervisory levels and front office manager. Her expansive exposure and knowledge in the tourism industry propelled her to take up challenging roles in sales and marketing which she diligently carries out.

Her exceptional professionalism and team spirit goes along way to currently assist in her major role of product training, sending out contracts and maintaining smooth working relationships with travel agents.

SUSAN RATTA
SUSAN RATTA
RESERVATIONS MANAGER

Susan was born in the lake side city of Kenya, Kisumu. She studied at the Rift Valley province for her primary and secondary education. Then went onto Maseno University, where she graduated with a BSc in Ecotourism Hotel and Institution Management.

From working in the hotel and tourism sectors, she developed a deep understanding of patience, strong communication, problem-solving and customer service skills.

Susan is now the Reservations Manager at Secluded Africa where she focuses on the smooth running of all guest bookings to our camps and lodges from the time of booking, to time of check out and also doing follow ups with the agents/ guests who have stayed with us, long after they have gone. Susan is also passionate about giving back to the community.