In an era where luxury is being redefined, one entrepreneur is taking travelers off the beaten path — and into the wild. Suyash Keshari, a wildlife filmmaker turned conservationist, is the visionary behind Ameliya Safaris, a boutique travel brand that seeks to fuse five-star comfort with a fierce commitment to nature.

With a global shift toward meaningful experiences and responsible travel, Ameliya Safaris aims to meet a powerful new demand: luxury that gives back.

From Camera to Conservation

Keshari’s journey didn’t begin in the boardroom — though there was a short stint in a Congressman’s office—his journey began in the jungle. After years in the field, tracking India’s most elusive wildlife, from tigers to snow leopards, he realized that storytelling alone wasn’t enough. He wanted to create a platform where people could experience the wild firsthand, not just watch it on a screen.

That idea became Ameliya Safaris: a company built on three pillars — comfort, conservation, and connection. “I wanted to create experiences that were as emotionally powerful as they were luxurious,” says Keshari. “We strive to be in the business of changing lives. And there’s nothing quite like the transformative moment you step onto the jeep and embark on your first safari. The moment you see your first tiger, the moment you see the sun rising over the horizon and setting under the trees, with skies painted in a myriad of colors. It’s often life-altering.”

Luxury, Reimagined

Each Ameliya safari experience is designed to feel like a private journey. Guests explore India’s most iconic wild spaces — from Central India’s tiger reserves to the snow-covered cliffs of Ladakh, home of the snow leopard. They walk through rhino-inhabited grasslands in Kaziranga, traverse the misty old-growth forests of Dudhwa, and reconnect with nature in a way that’s both grounding and awe-inspiring.

And while India is home to Ameliya Safaris, they also operate in 9 countries across Africa – from Botswana to Kenya, and the guests benefit from Suyash’s personal relationships at the ownership levels of some of the most renowned camps in Africa. You can learn more here.

But it’s not just about where you go — it’s how you experience it. Guests stay in thoughtfully chosen boutique lodges that celebrate craftsmanship, local culture, and sustainability. From candle-lit bush meals to fireside storytelling sessions, every moment is immersive, intentional, and guided by expert naturalists & safari directors — sometimes even Suyash himself.

Profit Meets Purpose

What helps Ameliya stand out in the crowded wildlife space is its impact-driven model. Every journey contributes to wildlife rescue projects and grassroots conservation efforts. Through the Ameliya Conservation Fund, they collaborate with non-profits and local communities to help ensure that tourism becomes a force for good, not just for travelers, but for the ecosystems they visit. The conservation projects undertaken by Ameliya also include equipping anti-poaching units with essential amenities, building waterholes in deficit areas, and re-wilding lost habitats.

Guests aren’t just bystanders; they’re contributors. “Safaris have the potential to be a tool for real change,” says Keshari. “When guests leave, they don’t just take memories — they can also leave a legacy.”

Scaling a Movement

As Suyash heads to the U.S. this spring for a series of talks and strategic meetings, his goal is clear: build partnerships that will introduce more global travelers to India’s wild side, through a lens of mindful luxury, while also empowering grassroots conservation efforts for long-term impact and sustainability.

With a growing demand for curated, conservation-based travel experiences, Ameliya Safaris is emerging as a leader in a new category: conscious luxury.

And as for the future? They’re just getting started.

Published by Joseph T.