T+L’s Hotel Review of andBeyond Suyian Lodge in Kenya

Standing in the morning chill on andBeyond Suyian Lodge’s main outdoor terrace, I watched the sun rise in a blur of pink and purple layers over the Rock Sanctuary, a formation of ancient stone boulders in front of the lodge. As the tip of Mount Kenya slowly illuminated in the distance, I took a grateful sip of my coffee and listened to the deep rumbles rising from the valley below. “Lions,” Bernard Ngilah, our safari guide, said, smiling and nodding at my mother next to me. “Let’s go.”

We had flown in from Nairobi the day before, landing at Loisaba Airstrip in Kenya’s northern Laikipia region to meet Ngilah, who picked us up in a dark green safari vehicle. On the roughly one-hour drive to andBeyond Suyian Lodge, we came across a dazzle of zebras grazing, a herd of elephants leisurely crossing the road, and a sounder of warthogs running through the tall grass, tails straight to the sky. After pointing out a leopard tortoise (named for its black and yellow leopard-like markings on its shell), Ngilah leaned back in his seat, asking which animals we were hoping to see during our next four days together. After a bit of back and forth, my mom chimed in on the conversation: “Lions.” Bernard and I exchanged looks as our shared goal for the trip was set.

While Kenya is a popular destination in August—the Maasai Mara is the backdrop for the Great Migration—my focus for this trip was a quieter, lesser-visited part of the country: the 44,000-acre Suyian Conservancy. It is home to more than 700 plant species, 325 bird species, and over 100 mammals (over half of which are regularly seen throughout the year), including the rare melanistic (black) leopard, lions, and several endangered species, such as the African wild dog, the reticulated giraffe, and Grévy’s zebra. As of July 2025, Suyian Conservancy is also home to andBeyond’s newest addition: Suyian Lodge (suyian is the local Maa word for “African wild dog”).

Perched on the eastern escarpment of the Great Rift Valley with the Ewaso Narok River to the east and the slopes of Mount Kenya to the south, andBeyond Suyian Lodge offers endless panoramic views and access to a wide variety of landscapes, from savannas to rivers and Vechellia woodlands.

Below is my review of andBeyond Suyian Lodge.

The Rooms

The lodge’s 14 suites, including one two-bedroom family suite, stretch in both directions from the central main area. The design—by South Africa-based Nicholas Plewman Architects and the international architecture studio Michaelis Boyd, alongside hospitality interior designers Fox Browne Creative—is inspired by the surrounding landscape’s kopjes, or rocky outcrops. The lodge’s sculptural curves, organic materials, and grass-covered roofs aim to blend the structures back into the rocks and indigenous plants.

The interiors are a mix of wood, textured stone, and sinuous lines, highlighted by soft neutral tones. The spacious layouts, oversized windows, and multiple access points to outdoor terraces mean expansive views from just about everywhere.

After we tucked our dusty boots under the bench in Suite Two’s entrance—stocked with sunhats, umbrellas, and rainboots to use throughout the stay—a second set of doors led us into our private lounge, anchored by a built-in fireplace and a comfortable sunken daybed. Each suite has an open concept with the bubble-shaped rooms flowing seamlessly into each other. A narrow bar and coffee area—fully stocked with a selection of local spirits, beer, and mixers, as well as coffee, tea, and snacks—leads to a generously sized bedroom. At night, the large bed is completely encircled by a mosquito net, which discreetly tucks away behind it during the day. Throw open the double doors leading to the terrace, and the view from the bed is of the outdoor plunge pool and the Suyian Conservancy.

The bathroom features a circular shower with a skylight in the center, double vanities, a stone bathtub set by the window, as well as a side door leading to an outdoor shower. Meanwhile, the terrace has a viewing deck, upholstered loungers, a private plunge pool, and a dining area.

Food and Drink

As our morning game drives began before—or with—the sunrise, we often started the day with a quick cup of coffee at the lodge. Then, we would stop mid-drive for a coffee pause (tea, hot chocolate, or mocha made with a splash of Kenya’s Amarula liqueur were also an option), set up in the bush alongside a selection of muffins, cookies, or, my favorite, executive chef Oscar Malaba’s crunchy honey-oat bars.

One particularly memorable morning, shortly after packing up our coffee station and settling back into our seats, we drove a few minutes down the road to find two large male lions lounging in the grass, their large manes puffed in the wind. My heart raced with excitement, knowing just how close we were to them during our morning break.

Back at the lodge, there are a variety of places to enjoy meals, and, even though the main area isn’t huge, we never dined in the same place twice. Guests can also sit outside and take in the sweeping views or slip into one of the cozy, leather-wrapped booths indoors, with the nearby fireplaces keeping the evening’s drop in temperature at bay. One afternoon, we enjoyed lunch in the sun on the main outdoor terrace, and the next day, our butler led us to breakfast at a private table tucked in the lush herb garden just off the kitchen. Guests can also dine in their suite or terrace, by the shared pool, or in the private dining room.

Ingredients are seasonal and, whenever possible, procured locally: vegetables come from local shambas (farms) and beef is sourced from the Suyian Conservancy.

However, our most notable bites and sips happened in the wild. During a waterside sundowner, paired with pours of sparkling wine from South Africa’s Spier Winery, a lone hippo made its presence loudly known across the way. And for a surprise dinner in the bush, shared with Ngilah and our andBeyond virtual safari guide, Kristen Harrison, our table for four was set up under the stars.

Activities and Experiences

A stay at andBeyond Suyian Lodge includes daily morning and evening game drives. The 4×4 open safari vehicles are stocked with Swarovski binoculars and field guides, plenty of drinks, blankets, and hot water bottles. Each drive offered us the choice to head down into the valley—in search of the elusive black leopard or to visit the hippos dotting the riverbank—or up onto the plateau where the chance to see lions, cheetahs, zebras, and elephants awaited. Guests can also step outside the vehicles to stretch their legs on guided nature walks. Horseback riding safaris, active ranching tours, catch-and-release fishing, scenic helicopter flights, or community village visits are available, too.

My mom, a lifelong rider, perked up at the horseback safari option. Suyian Lodge is the first andBeyond lodge to offer that experience, and a few days into our stay, we headed to the nearby stables to greet their 14 horses (predominantly a mix of Boerperd and Thoroughbreds). The sight of my mother gracefully trotting across the vast open Laikipia plateau is one I will never forget.

Back at the lodge, there is an infinity pool with sun loungers, day beds, a self-service bar, a spacious gym, and a yoga studio (each room is stocked with yoga mats). I took a hatha yoga class, which included gentle, meditative movements and stretches that are desperately needed after hours of sitting through sometimes bumpy game drives.

The Spa

Set at one of the far ends of the lodge, the wellness area has two treatment rooms, a steam room, and a plunge pool maintained at a brisk 50 degrees. andBeyond partnered with South Africa-based, eco-friendly skincare company Healing Earth for their treatments, which range from massages and facials to body wraps and specialized hand and foot treatments.

One afternoon between game drives, I indulged in the two-hour “Spirit of the Samburu” treatment. It started with a traditional foot cleansing ritual with mineral salts, infused with native plant extracts, and moved on to an invigorating full body exfoliation. Following a wrap infused with clay minerals from the Great Rift Valley and richly scented with coffee, cinnamon, and orange, I hopped for a quick shower in the adjoining room. I returned for a full body massage set to the calming soundtrack of an unexpected afternoon rain storm. The treatment ended with a relaxing sound therapy that incorporated singing bowls and traditional African rain sticks.

Family-friendly Offerings

andBeyond’s WILDChild program, offered at Suyian Lodge as well as at all of the company’s safari lodges, ensures there is a wide range of activities tailored to suit guests of all ages. The wellness area also offers treatments designed for children between the ages of six and 12 years.

There is one two-bedroom Family Suite (Suite 7) with an additional children’s bedroom and a separate bathroom.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The 44,000-acre Suyian Conservancy operates under the management of Suyian Conservancy Trust, a Kenyan nonprofit organization (NGO), in partnership with international conservation NGO Space for Giants. Formerly a cattle ranch, Suyian Conservancy is now a conservation-focused landscape with limited cattle that serves as an important wildlife corridor and emphasizes community development and eco-consciousness.

andBeyond is also committed to supporting nearby communities through its long-term partnership with Wild Impact, a development organization that helps conserve wild land and seascapes and their communities. More than 80 percent of the lodge’s staff come from the greater Laikipia region.

The lodge runs entirely on solar power (with generator backup). Most of it was made with materials from Kenya, while green roofs provide insulation.

Guest rooms at andBeyond Suyian Lodge are not ADA-compliant, and there are many uneven stairs and steps leading to different parts of the lodge.

Location

To reach Suyian Lodge, guests can take one of the twice daily, 55-minute flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport (WIL) to the Loisaba Airstrip (KE-0207). From there, it is about an hour drive to the lodge, provided you don’t stop for any wildlife viewing. Another airstrip, located closer to the camp, is currently accessible only by private charter.

It’s also possible to get here by car from Nairobi (about five hours) or from Nanyuki (about two hours and 30 minutes).

Book Now

Before booking your stay, check andBeyond’s website for the most current offers and discounts. Nightly all-inclusive rates at andBeyond Suyian Lodge start from $1,500 per person.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.