Emnel Adventures

This is Our Story I grew up watching my father, Mr. Anania Mesuli Laizer, build a life out of pure determination and quiet sacrifice. Born in the remote Maasai village of Sekei, he and his siblings spent their childhood tending cattle and collecting firewood—never imagining what else the world could hold. School didn’t seem important to most parents then, but my father’s curiosity and will led him to Sekei Primary School, pursuing learning as far as he could with no sponsor or guiding hand. His journey took a turn when the church instilled in him a sense of discipline and purpose. He found himself working as a gardener at Mount Meru Hotel, but his real passion drew him into the kitchen. Word spread quickly about the magic he worked with food, and soon after, Sandy Evans—the former general manager for Mount Meru Game Lodge—recognized his talent. Dad’s dedication won him sponsorship to Utalii College in Nairobi; there, the village boy honed his gift and returned a true chef. A Father’s Sacrifice: Despite his own dreams, my dad never made himself the centre of his story. Every shilling he earned became an investment in us—his five children. Although his income was modest, he insisted we attend English-medium schools, sometimes putting himself under great stress to cover our school fees. He worked for months on end, away from home, always dreaming that we would have chances he never did. My Purpose: Watching my father, I realized that dreams are fuelled by sacrifice. After earning my bachelor’s in Procurement and Logistics Management at the Institute of Accountancy Arusha, I worked wherever I could—starting as a cashier at a Kilimanjaro climbing company, quickly becoming a reservations agent, then a salesperson. I soon found myself in a fintech startup, working closely with tour operators. This is where I learned the ins and outs of the travel industry, how companies get clients, and just how hard success is—especially without foreign connections or capital. But I also discovered that possibility exists for those who hustle. My father had always dreamed of running a safari company and owning a lodge. He kept that dream alive for us, even when he couldn’t chase it himself. Emnel Adventures: A Legacy in Motion! Determined to honor my dad’s dream, I founded Emnel Adventures in 2016. The name itself is a tribute: Emily (my youngest sister) and Nelson (me)—our family at its heart. With just $200, I launched our first website and taught myself Google Ads. The early days were lean—most leads didn’t convert, but I celebrated each inquiry. Then came Cornelia, our first guest who braved COVID to visit. I poured myself into making her trip memorable; afterward, she referred a friend. That feeling of gratitude and pride was everything. We operate mostly on referrals now, and every guest feels like a small miracle. The business is modest, but behind every booking lies a lifetime of my father’s hope and the family’s grit. Why Emnel Matters: For me, Emnel Adventures isn’t just a company. It’s my father’s legacy living on. Our story proves that you don’t need privilege to create something meaningful—just resilience, hard work, and love. My dream is to build the lodge my dad always wanted. Every guest brings us one step closer—not just to financial success, but to honoring the extraordinary journey that began in a humble Maasai village. “Emnel is a dream for me; it is a dream for my family. It needs to work for my dad who could not do it himself. It needs to set up that lodge he ever dreamt of. It needs to work because a man, out of the most humble beginnings with Maasai roots and little vision given to him, made one of his own and dedicated all his earnings towards our education.  This is our story. When you choose Emnel Adventures, you become a part of this journey—a living proof that the wildest dreams are rooted in love and made real through perseverance.