Major Gerald Edwards settled on Sosian Ranch in 1920, when he was granted the land after the First World War. In those days Laikipia was several days drive from Nairobi and communications were virtually non-existent. Cattle ranching in northern Kenya was a seriously adventurous past time.
However, until Major Edwards died in 1977, he cared for every single acre, as well as building up his cattle ranch. Alas, following Major Edwards’ death, the land which he had dedicated his life to dwindled into ruin. Left unattended to, the overgrazing, combined with a severe drought in 1990 left Sosian entirely barren with no livestock or wildlife able to survive there. However, by 1999 a diverse group of friends, headed up by the late Tristan Voorspuy (founder of Offbeat Riding Safaris), came together and bought Sosian with the aim of restoring its ecology and wildlife. Huge investment and careful grazing plans over the following 5 years were put in place to allow the vegetation to grow back. This combined with a few years of good rains, Sosian and its wildlife bounced back.
Today, the beautifully restored ranch house is an intimate and homely safari lodge, and since the restoration of the ranch, the wildlife (including many endangered species such as wild dog, reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra) has increased in great numbers, becoming a premier wildlife destination.
Sosian remains a functioning cattle ranch as well as a luxury safari lodge. There is a wonderful balance between cattle ranching and wildlife conservation that hugely benefits both parties and Sosian is a shining example of how this can be achieved.
Sosian employs over 100 people from the neighbouring communities, to help run the tourism, cattle ranching, anti-poaching and security.
Sosian is now a thriving conservation project and the income generated from the tourism enterprise has directly led Sosian to be able to get involved with community projects such as schools and education, healthcare clinics, family planning and community cattle buying schemes to name a few.
Sosian employs over 100 people from our neighbouring communities to help run the tourism, cattle, conservation, anti-poaching and security. Many have been with Sosian right from the start and below are some of our long term key members of staff:
Sean’s family has lived in Kenya for five generations, with a long history of farming and safari operations. His great-grandfather was among the first European explorers to venture into the Masai Mara — a journey that ended dramatically when he met his match in a charging lion.
Educated in Kenya, Zimbabwe, and the UK, Sean returned home to pursue a career in agriculture. Since 2006, he has overseen every aspect of Sosian’s 24,000-acre ranch and wildlife conservancy, building Kenya’s largest Boran cattle breeding stud with over 680 breeding cows and a fine selection of stud bulls. Deeply involved in the day-to-day running of Sosian, Sean is most content when out walking in the bush or fishing with his two young sons.
Charlotte also joined Sosian in 2006, initially developing Sosian’s renowned horseback safaris. In 2020, she transitioned into sales and marketing, continuing to share Sosian’s story and spirit with guests from around the world.
Saimon is Sean’s right-hand man and has been a loyal and dedicated employee at Sosian since 2004. Starting as a farm driver, Saimon has scaled the ranks and today is our head of security and anti-poaching teams.
Saimon is a great team leader and is passionate about protecting our wildlife. In 2017 Saimon was invited by ‘ForRangers’ to London to meet HRH Duke of Cambridge, to be congratulated for his outstanding contribution as a wildlife ranger on Sosian. This was an exceptionally proud moment for all of us at Sosian and has filled us with even more determination to continue with this critical wildlife conservation work across Laikipia.
Simon joined the Sosian team in 2018, bringing with him a deep knowledge of Laikipia and years of guiding experience. From the start, he became a natural fit within the Sosian family, known for his enthusiasm, dedication, and passion for the wild.
As our Head Guide, Simon is committed to creating unforgettable safari experiences. Whether it’s tracking lion, leopard, or wild dog, he always goes the extra mile to ensure guests leave with incredible memories. A qualified Silver Level Kenya Professional Safari Guide, Simon leads a team of expert Silver and Bronze guides, spotters, and trackers.
In addition to his skills as a driver-guide, Simon is also a highly trained armed walking guide. He loves encouraging guests to explore the bush on foot, offering a more intimate and immersive connection with nature. With Simon at the helm, you’re in expert hands.
Boni joined Sosian in 2016 as an apprentice groom, and it didn’t take long for his natural talent to shine through. With a calm, intuitive way with horses and a deep sense of care, he quickly became an integral part of the team.
Over the years, Boni has trained as a farrier and taken on responsibility for the veterinary care of our horses. He has also become a skilled rider and a qualified guide, known for his keen eyesight and instinct in the bush. After nearly a decade of riding across the Sosian landscape, there’s little he hasn’t encountered from the saddle. Working alongside Cassia and their team of six dedicated grooms and guides, Boni helps lead one of the most dynamic riding operations in Laikipia.
Cassia joined Sosian in 2022 after graduating from business school in the UK and completing the prestigious Leiths School of Cookery course. With her warm, outgoing nature and can-do attitude, she quickly became a key member of the team.
A true all-rounder, Cassia has embraced every aspect of lodge life – from hosting and cooking to riding and operations. Her passion, energy, and sense of humour have made her a favourite among guests and staff alike.
Today, Cassia wears two important hats: Lodge Manager and Horse Manager, overseeing our stable of 30 safari horses, with her wealth of equine experience. It’s a demanding role, but one she handles with impressive dedication and enthusiasm.
David joined Sosian in 2001 and quickly proved himself to be an exceptional and versatile member of the team. Starting out as a gardener, his hard work and dedication saw him rise through the ranks to become an integral part of running the lodge.
Today, David oversees a team of cleaners, waiters, and gardeners, ensuring every detail of the lodge runs smoothly and guests are well looked after. Having helped restore the original ranch house, he quite literally knows Sosian inside out — from every pipe to every wire! Always ready to lend a hand, David is equally at ease taking guests on a game drive, grooming a horse, or cleaning the swimming pool. Luckily for us, he loves to keep busy!
Nico has been Sosian’s head chef since 2003 and is truly a master in the kitchen. Always eager to learn, he loves experimenting with new recipes and techniques, continually bringing fresh inspiration to Sosian’s dining experience.
Passionate about using homegrown, organic produce from our farm and kitchen garden, Nico creates every dish with care and creativity. Inspired by chefs such as Darina Allen of Ballymaloe, Yotam Ottolenghi, and Mary Berry, he caters beautifully for all dietary preferences — from vegetarian and vegan to gluten-free — always with enthusiasm and flair.
Known for his warm smile, wise words, and endless good humour, Nico’s presence is as uplifting as his food. Nothing is ever too much trouble, and every meal reflects his genuine love of cooking and hospitality.
Judy’s exceptional attention to detail quickly earned her the role of Head of Housekeeping, where she leads a dedicated team of four.
Together, they ensure every room and lodge space is spotless each day, manage our daily laundry service, and prepare your room each evening with a thoughtful turndown of beds and mosquito nets. Beyond their impeccable housekeeping, each of our ladies is also a fully trained massage therapist — a treat you won’t want to miss during your stay!
Zoe is the newest member of the Sosian team. Having grown up on a farm in Kenya with cattle and horses, Sosian is a home from home for Zoe!
After a British education and the subsequent extensive experience she has gained in horse physiotherapy, veterinary work and stable management, Zoe is a valuable member of the team. This coupled with roles in lodge management, operations and customer care at the infamous Diddly Squat farm shop in the UK, Zoe is calm under pressure, extremely organised and hard working, but above all passionate about people and animals.
Major Gerald Edwards settled on Sosian Ranch when he was granted the land after the First World War. In those days Laikipia was several days drive from Nairobi and communications were virtually non-existent. Cattle ranching in northern Kenya was a seriously adventurous past time.
Major Edwards died, following his death the land to which he had dedicated his life dwindled into ruin. Left unattended it was heavily overgrazed.
A severe drought coupled with the overgrazing left Sosian entirely barren with no livestock or wildlife able to survive there.
A diverse group of friends, headed up by the late Tristan Voorspuy (founder of Offbeat Riding Safaris), came together and bought Sosian with the aim of restoring its ecology and wildlife. Huge investment and careful grazing plans over the following 5 years were put in place to allow the vegetation to grow back. This combined with a few years of good rains, Sosian and its wildlife bounced back.
Sean and Charlotte Outram took over the running of the ranch.
Sosian Boran Stud is established and Sosian becomes a leading cattle ranch in Kenya and Africa with 680 breeding cows and 2200 head of cattle today.
Sosian conservancy has exceptional scope for viewing wildlife in its natural habitat, being a haven for over 70 species of mammals, of course including the big five, 30 species of reptiles and over 350 species of birds.
Cattle ranching in Laikipia is a long standing and critically important land use that, when managed carefully, offers an economically and environmentally sustainable revenue to this semi arid, wildlife rich area.
