Where To Go And What To See in April 2026 / Design Takes The Lead At And Beyond’s Newest Kenyan Lodge / By Lauren Ho

Few brands have shaped luxury safaris quite like andBeyond.

From the early days of Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa, which redefined what a conservation-led lodge could look like more than three decades ago, to the desert drama of Namibia’s Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, the brand has consistently paired wilderness with considered design, guided by its surroundings.

Its long-standing presence in Kenya is no different, starting out in the Masai Mara first with Kichwa Tembo tented Camp, followed by Bateleur, an intimate colonial-inspired camp that was rebuilt in 2019. This, together with the newly opened Suyian Lodge, has made for a well-rounded spread across Kenya’s most distinct ecosystems.

Set on 44,000 acres of private wilderness in Laikipia, a region of private conservancies, a scenic 45-minute bush flight north of Nairobi, the lodge sits on the edge of an escarpment overlooking sweeping plains and distant views towards Mount Kenya.

Slotting into the landscape, the lodge unfolds over a series of low-slung dome-like structures tucked into the escarpment, their rounded forms, planted roofs and natural cladding, taking their cues from the surrounding granite kopjes

Wallpaper* checks in at andBeyond Suyian Lodge

What’s on your doorstep?

Suyian is not just a wildlife conservancy, but a working ranch, where cattle and camels are still herded across the land in an experience that lends a layered depth you don’t usually get from sealed-off reserves.

The 44,000-acre conservancy forms part of a wider network of unfenced private and community-managed land, allowing wildlife to roam freely between neighbouring territories, though andBeyond’s vehicles – and therefore guests – remain within Suyian’s boundaries.

This means sightings are never guaranteed, particularly if the wildlife you’re hoping to see has moved beyond the conservancy’s limits.

(Image credit: Courtesy of andBeyond)

The wildlife here differs from the Masai Mara further south, with the endangered Grevy’s zebra regularly sighted, alongside the distinctively patterned reticulated giraffe, found only in northern Kenya.

Beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Laikipia hartebeest are also present, as is the African wild dog, an endangered species and the inspiration behind the lodge’s name, which means ‘wild dog’ in the local Samburu language. There is currently no rhino on the conservancy, though plans are in place for future reintroduction.

The headline draw, however, is the possibility of spotting the so-called black leopard – a rare genetic variation of the regular spotted leopard – an elusive sighting that draws excitement from even the most experienced guides.

In between the twice-daily game drives, activities include guided walks, horseback riding and night drives where you might spot nocturnal animals such as the striped hyena.

Who is behind the design?

Like all andBeyond properties, Suyian’s design is considered and confident.

The work of Nicholas Plewman Architects, Michaelis Boyd and Fox Browne Creative, the lodge prioritises Laikipia’s untamed landscape, arranged as a cluster of curvilinear buildings in natural stone and planted surfaces that blend seamlessly into the escarpment, almost disappearing when viewed from a distance.