Inside &Beyond’s grand debut of the Kenya Suyian Lodge in Laikipia

Suyian Lodge, located in northern Kenya’s Laikipia region, offers a unique retreat seamlessly integrated into its natural surroundings. It is the only accommodation within the 44,000-acre Suyian Conservancy, home to over 100 types of mammals and numerous bird species. The conservancy’s diverse landscapes include grassland, savanna, rocky outcrops (kopjes), dense Vechellia woodland, and over 16 km of riverfrontage.

Named after the African wild dog in the local Maa language, the lodge is an architectural masterpiece inspired by its surroundings. The lodge’s rounded structure, adorned with plant growth, mimics the region’s ancient rock formations and robust plant life. The design reflects Afro-Wabi-Sabi aesthetics, celebrating the transient nature of earthly things, with cultural touches inspired by the local Samburu tribe. The lodge features rich textures and colours, with furniture and finishes crafted by Kenyan artisans, creating an understated yet sophisticated feel.

Suyian Lodge features 14 spacious suites, including a family suite and a triple suite. Each suite includes a personal bar with local refreshments, private plunge pools, al fresco showers with breathtaking views, and complimentary same-day laundry service. Guests can enjoy meals outside under the evening sky in the courtyard or in the bush boma. The lodge’s guest area offers panoramic views of the conservancy’s habitats and wildlife.

The entrance courtyard leads to a large central bar with stunning views of the open plains, while intimate, softly lit areas provide cozy spaces for guests to relax. Each spacious suite blends seamlessly into the natural rocky formation, featuring a private terrace with a plunge pool and viewing deck, ideal for early risers to enjoy the sunrise.

Suyian Lodge’s location within a 44,000-acre wilderness provides exceptional privacy and breathtaking views of the Rock Sanctuary, a landscape of undulating granite kopjes with ancient rock art. The wellness centre offers treatments in two rooms equipped with a steam room and a cold plunge pool. The gym features cardio and strength equipment, with a shaded outdoor yoga studio offering a scenic view. The lodge also has a signature safari shop with high-end products from iconic Kenyan designers and artists.

The lodge offers a range of immersive experiences, allowing guests to create their perfect day in this conservation haven. Activities include day and night game drives, walking safaris, camel and horseback safaris, active ranching tours, and fishing. Guests can also experience local culture through village visits, outdoor yoga, scenic helicopter flights, wellness treatments, and riverside picnics.

Suyian Conservancy, located in Laikipia County, is a vital unfenced wildlife habitat-forming part of a larger conservancy network. It shelters approximately 17,806 hectares of prime wilderness and conservation land, offering a vital wildlife movement corridor between Laikipia and the northern conservancies. The conservancy is home to over 100 types of mammals, including elephants, African wild dogs, reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, gerenuks, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and more than 260 bird species.

Getting to Suyian Conservancy is easy by air or road. Safarilink and Air Kenya offer scheduled flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Loisaba Airstrip in Laikipia, followed by a one-hour vehicle transfer to Suyian Conservancy. Private flight charters directly to Suyian’s private airstrip are also available. By road, Laikipia is accessible from Nairobi (a five-hour drive) and Nanyuki (a 1.5-hour drive) in a 4×4 vehicle.

&Beyond, a luxury experiential and conservation company, has extended its lodge circuit in Kenya by partnering with the global conservation charity Space for Giants. This partnership involves an exclusive tourism concession over the 44,000-acre Suyian Conservancy. The multi-decade lease and partnership give &Beyond exclusive access to prime wilderness land on Suyian Conservancy, allowing them to build and develop a world-class lodge, tented camp, sky beds, and mobile camping experience.

With its remarkable wildlife and diverse landscapes, Suyian offers an exclusive safari experience and activities such as walking safaris, camel safaris, and horse-riding safaris. Guests can also participate in conservation and research activities and interact with local pastoral tribes such as the Samburu and Pokot. &Beyond Suyian Lodge is set to open in the summer of 2025, promising a unique and luxurious safari experience intertwined with conservation and community development in Kenya’s Laikipia region.

For further information, visit andbeyond.com