andBeyond has opened its newest property, Suyian Lodge, in Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau, offering visitors access to a lesser-known wilderness area known for its biodiversity and cultural significance.
Officially opening on July 1, andBeyond Suyian Lodge is located within the 44,000-acre Suyian Conservancy, a private conservation area positioned on the eastern escarpment of the Great Rift Valley.
The lodge marks the company’s first presence in Laikipia and adds to its existing Kenya portfolio, which includes Bateleur Camp and Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp in the Maasai Mara.
Suyian Lodge aims to cater to travelers seeking wildlife experiences in quieter, less-trafficked regions.
According to Afar, the conservancy is home to more than 260 bird species and 55 types of mammals, including endangered species such as the reticulated giraffe, black rhinoceros, and Grévy’s zebra.
The area is also known for sightings of melanistic leopards, often referred to as “black panthers,” which are rare but present in the region. These animals are not a separate species, but rather leopards with a genetic mutation that produces excess dark pigmentation.
In a statement, andBeyond CEO and executive chairman Joss Kent said:
“Laikipia is a prime wilderness area that is home to a greater population of wildlife than anywhere else in Kenya outside of the Maasai Mara. This includes a large number of globally threatened mammals that make it particularly important from a conservation perspective.”
Designed by architecture firm Michaelis Boyd, the lodge’s structures reflect the rugged natural features of the landscape, with interiors that incorporate elements of Samburu craftsmanship.
According to Greg Davies-Coleman, andBeyond’s regional manager for Kenya, “We always ensure that local culture is a central part of the guest experience… At Suyian, this is woven not only into the design but also the way we host and share stories.”
More than 70 percent of the lodge’s staff come from four neighboring communities, with most of the remainder hired from elsewhere in Laikipia County.
Guests can engage with the Samburu and Pokot people through activities such as bush walks, campfire storytelling, and community visits.
The lodge’s location within a private conservancy also allows for off-roading, night drives, and participation in conservation and research activities that are not typically permitted in national parks or reserves.
Stays at Suyian Lodge start at $1,500 per person per night, inclusive of meals, beverages, daily safari activities, laundry service, transfers from the lodge’s airstrip, and use of high-end binoculars provided by Swarovski Optik.
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality industry, the lodge illustrates a growing trend of combining high-end nature-based tourism with conservation and community partnerships.
Operators expanding into remote or lesser-visited areas may find opportunities to create distinctive offerings by aligning eco-tourism with cultural authenticity, while leveraging private conservancies to enable a broader range of activities.
The lodge’s integration of local staff and artisans also underscores the value of sourcing locally to enrich the guest experience and foster regional economic participation.
Featured image by andBeyond