AndBeyond Opens a New Safari Lodge in Kenya’s Wild North, Far From the Crowds of Maasai Mara

When it comes to safari experiences in Kenya, the Maasai Mara tends to dominate the conversation. But if you’re looking for something quieter, more immersive, and far less trafficked, the Laikipia Plateau in the country’s north offers a compelling alternative. Located northwest of Mount Kenya, this sprawling region of grassland, rocky escarpments, and winding rivers is home to a newly opened lodge from luxury outfitter &Beyond — the only one operating in the 44,000-acre Suyian Conservancy.

Photo: andBeyond

&Beyond Suyian Lodge sits in what was once a working cattle ranch. Over the last several decades, livestock numbers were reduced and rotational grazing was introduced, allowing native species to return and ecological diversity to improve. Today, Laikipia is considered one of Kenya’s most ecologically important areas — home to endangered species like the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, and African wild dog. Most exciting for many visitors is the chance to see a black leopard in the wild.

“There’s a rawness to encounters at Suyian that’s lost in busier locations,” says Joss Kent, CEO of &Beyond, in a company release. “When a guest spots a black leopard, it’s genuinely a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”

Because Suyian operates as a private conservancy with no other lodges, you won’t find yourself surrounded by other vehicles. &Beyond holds exclusive tourism rights here, allowing for off-road exploration, night drives, and activities that simply aren’t permitted in national parks.

Photo: andBeyondPhoto: andBeyondPhoto: andBeyondPhoto: andBeyond

Designed by the firms Michaelis Boyd and Nicholas Plewman Architects to reflect the surrounding geology, the lodge takes its cues from the region’s granite kopjes — steep-sided rock outcrops that rise from the plains. The 14 suites curve into the landscape, with green turfed roofs and stone cladding that make them feel part of the terrain. Each suite features its own plunge pool, outdoor shower, and panoramic views toward the Ewaso Narok River and Mount Kenya beyond.

Photo: andBeyond

More than 70 percent of lodge staff are from surrounding communities, and their perspective is central to the experience. Guided by locals who know the land intimately, mornings might be spent tracking lions and oryx on game drives, or exploring at a slower pace on horseback safaris, camel walks, or by joining herders during their daily cattle movements as part of Suyian’s active ranching initiative.

Photo: andBeyond

When you’re not out exploring, you’ll find plenty of ways to take in the landscape. There’s a yoga deck set high on the rocks, a small but opulent spa built into the hillside, and a kitchen garden where chefs source herbs and vegetables.

Photo: andBeyond

&Beyond’s expansion into Laikipia is part of a long-term partnership with Space for Giants, an NGO working to restore and protect critical wildlife corridors in northern Kenya. The group sees the lodge as a key moment in demonstrating how conservation and tourism can work hand in hand.

“It shows how world-class tourism can directly sustain vital conservation efforts while delivering tangible benefits to local communities,” says Dr. Max Graham, founder and CEO of Space for Giants, in a statement.

By staying at Suyian, you directly support these initiatives — helping fund anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration, and education programs for surrounding communities.

Rates start at around $1,500 per person, per night, inclusive of meals, daily game drives, and a range of activities like guided walks, yoga, and community visits.

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