Latest news with #SuyianConservancy
West Australian
23-07-2025
- Business
- West Australian
New Africa lodge underpinned by conservation
A new safari lodge has just opened on a 17,800ha private conservancy in Laikipia, in northern Kenya, East Africa. Owned by the Suyian Conservancy Trust, a Kenyan not-for-profit, the conservancy is managed under a plan approved by the Kenya Wildlife Service. Previously a cattle ranch, the land has been rewilded over decades into a biodiversity corridor where elephants, lions, Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, African wild dog, Laikipia hartebeest, elusive black leopards — and herders — now share space. And the travel company andBeyond now holds sole tourism rights on the land. There is no other lodge on the concession. Guests have the place to themselves. andBeyond Suyian Lodge has 14 suites designed in collaboration with Nicholas Plewman Architects, Michaelis Boyd and Fox Browne Creative. A spokesperson for the team says: 'The lodge embodies a raw yet refined aesthetic. Earthy textures, sculptural details and hand-crafted finishes reflect the surrounding terrain.' Each suite has a private plunge pool and views across the escarpment. But the spokesperson says the team looks beyond the buildings themselves: 'What sets Suyian apart is its invitation to slow down and connect. From walking with local herders and horseback safaris to yoga on ancient rock platforms and storytelling around the fire, every moment is designed to evoke presence and wonder.' The lodge was created in partnership with Space for Giants, a global conservation charity, and directly supports rewilding and community development in the region. 'From walking with herders to horseback safaris, from architecture inspired by rock formations to the possibility of seeing a black leopard in its natural range, this is Kenya, reimagined for the traveller who seeks more than a checklist,' says Joss Kent, &Beyond executive chairman and CEO. 'Suyian Conservancy brings the full breadth of Laikipia to life through layered storytelling, meaningful interaction, and a lodge that feels as though it has grown organically from the ground it rests on.' + 'Suyian' means 'wild dog' in the local Samburu language. + Suyian Conservancy is an unfenced wildlife habitat that is part of the wider Laikipia-Ewaso ecosystem. + A spokesperson says it holds the highest diversity of large mammal species of any ecosystem of its size in the world. + It is home to 55 mammal species and over 260 bird species. + Suyian was been managed for decades as a working cattle ranch and as a sanctuary for wildlife, as well as providing support for local communities. + It was created and is overseen by the international conservation non-government organisation Space for Giants. + Space for Giants is an international conservation organisation based in Africa and founded in 2011. + Its mission is to protect the natural ecosystems on which Africa's large wild animals depend. + It currently works in 11 countries across Central, East and Southern Africa. + Its headquarters are in Kenya and are registered as a charity in the UK and an NGO in the US. andBeyond Suyian Lodge Suyian Conservancy
Skift
19-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Africa Hotel Market Reaches New Heights: 12 New Entrants
Hotel development on the African continent is shattering records, and these 12 new properties will expand the possibilities for meeting and incentive groups. Hotel development in Africa has reached a new level. In the works are 577 hotel projects, totaling about 105,000 rooms. That marks a 13.3% increase from last year, according to a report from W Hospitality Group, a Nigeria-based advisory firm. That's a record, according to the consultancy. On Skift Meetings' list of 12 new properties for the meetings and incentives market, featured in our just-released What's New in Meetings and Incentive Travel 2025 report, are ultra-luxurious nature-focused resorts aimed at high-end guests seeking restorative experiences in exclusive natural settings. African properties such as the &Beyond Suyian Lodge, Few & Far Luvhondo, Gorilla Forest Lodge, JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp, and the Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara and Turaco Ngorongoro Valley, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel offer a blend of opulence, nature immersion, and truly unique, boutique experiences. 1. &Beyond Suyian Lodge Laikipia, Kenya Suyian Lodge is a 14-suite property located in Kenya's 44,000- acre Suyian Conservancy in Laikipia. Each suite includes a private plunge pool and outdoor shower. Activities include game drives, bush walks, camel and horseback safaris, helicopter tours, and community visits. The lodge offers day and night safaris with chances to see rare species like melanistic leopards. Incentive groups benefit from high privacy, unique design, and access to a wide range of adventure and cultural experiences. Accessible via scheduled or private flights. 2. Few & Far Luvhondo Limpopo, South Africa Few & Far Luvhondo is a luxury lodge in South Africa's Soutpansberg mountains, offering six hilltop Cliff suites as the ideal base for an exclusive safari experience. On offer are hiking, stargazing, and conservation-focused experiences. It is carbon negative and accessible via private charter, Rovos Rail, or commercial flights to Polokwane. With rates starting at $1,800 per person per night, it caters to high-end incentive groups seeking remote, naturebased experiences with sustainable impact 3. Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr Rabat, Morocco Situated in Rabat's historic Quartier l'Océan, the Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr opened in October 2024 offering 200 guest rooms. The hotel is a blend of newly constructed and restored historic buildings. It offers more than 29,000 square feet of event space including two ballrooms, the largest of which has its own private lounge, and eight meeting rooms. Guests can enjoy the property's expansive gardens, seven dining options, a spa, a barber shop, and a beauty salon. 4. Gorilla Forest Lodge Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda Gorilla Forest Lodge is located inside Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to over half the world's remaining mountain gorillas. The lodge has 10 newly renovated villas and serves as a base for guided gorilla treks, birding, forest walks, and community visits. Activities include cultural engagement with the Batwa people and Sanctuary's philanthropic projects. Gorilla trekking is physically demanding, but sedan chairs are available for less mobile guests. Ideal for small, high-end incentive groups seeking rare wildlife experiences. 5. Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi Cairo, Egypt The recently opened Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi is situated in the urban Maadi district of Cairo, overlooking the River Nile. The hotel features 255 guest rooms, four dining options, an executive lounge, and the first eforea Spa in Egypt. There are several versatile venues including a multi-function room with city and Nile views. The hotel overlooks Maadi Island, Cairo's 'green oasis.' 6. Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands Nairobi, Kenya The Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands opened in January 2025, marking the brand's debut in Kenya. The hotel features 219 guest rooms and more than 21,000 square feet of event space, including a flexible ballroom with a capacity of 600 in theater style. Amenities include three dining options, a club lounge, a pool, a fitness center and a 24/7 business center. 7. JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp Solio Game Reserve, Kenya JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp is expected to open in 2026 featuring 20 tented accommodations with private plunge pools. The property will provide an immersive wildlife experience within the 45,000-acre game reserve, and 19,000-acre Solio Ranch Conservancy, known for its rhino breeding program. Guests will have access to a spa, a pool, a fitness centre, a horse barn, and an animal viewing hide. Four dining options will be offered, including a sky deck restaurant. 8. La Fiermontina Ocean Larache, Morocco La Fiermontina Ocean is an eco-retreat located in the Dune of Khemis Sahel Regional Park. The property extends into a nearby village where guests can stay at four traditional houses fully immersed in the local community. The main building offers 13 suites among rock-carved gardens with a family pool, a restaurant, and one meeting room for up to 80. A nearby private beach can be accessed through a footpath or shuttle service 9. Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center, Tunis Tunis, Tunisia The Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center, Tunis, is the brand's debut property in Tunisia's capital, located between Tunis' City of Culture and the Convention Palace. The 305-room hotel offers more than 21,000 square feet of meeting space including a large ballroom for up to 1,100 guests seated in theater style, with a total of 16 event spaces on offer. The property offers six dining options, an indoor pool, a spa, an executive business lounge, and parking for up to 400 vehicles. 10. Speke Resort Convention Centre Uganda Kampala, Uganda Speke Resort Convention Centre Uganda is located on the northern shores of Lake Victoria. It offers four ballrooms — the largest of which can host up to 4,200 guests — 34 meeting rooms, exhibition space, and nine outdoor venues. The adjacent hotel offers 476 guest rooms. The resort incorporates various sustainability initiatives including water and energy conservation programs, waste reduction, and sourcing local, organic foods. 11. The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya Located on a secluded island in the Masai Mara National Reserve, The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp will offer 20 tented suites set among the trees, giving guests a front-row seat to the area's wildlife. Expected to open in August 2025, each suite will have a separate living area, private sunken lounge, infinity plunge pool, and indoor and outdoor showers. Other highlights include a stargazing deck, a discovery hub and map room, a photography studio, and four culinary options. 12. Turaco Ngorongoro Valley, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Karatu, Tanzania The newly opened Turaco Ngorongoro Valley, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is located near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The lodge offers 37 Maasai-inspired suites and emphasizes communal spaces that include a restaurant, two bars, a pool and a spa. Activities offered include wildlife safaris, forest walks, and visiting the nearby Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. Guests are encouraged to engage with the local Maasai culture through storytelling sessions, traditional dances, and village visits.
