In the heart of India’s vibrant landscapes, rich culture, and stunning wildlife, our founder has built a platform that blends high-end wildlife tourism with conservation and positive impact. His journey unfolds as a narrative woven with passion, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation while connecting people with nature.
Meet Suyash Keshari, a name synonymous with innovation in wildlife tourism, virtual safaris, conservation advocacy, filmmaking, and photography.
Born in a small and remote town of Central India surrounded by forests, Suyash’s childhood was painted with the hues of nature’s palette. His deep-seated love for wildlife blossomed early. It was nurtured by frequent excursions to the forests and encounters with the diverse flora and fauna that surrounded him. This innate connection with the natural world became the cornerstone of his life’s work—a harmonious blend of academic pursuit and artistic expression. [read Our Story to find out how his grandfather and a tigress named Solo impacted his life’s trajectory]
Educated in Entrepreneurship, Journalism and Political Science at Wake Forest University, North Carolina, USA, Suyash’s academic pursuit abroad only strengthened his resolve to make a difference back home in India. Armed with knowledge, skills and a profound devotion towards wildlife, especially big cats, he embarked on a road less travelled. A path that would fuse his passion for wildlife and conservation with tourism, tailor made experiences and evolve into the power of a collective. There are 3 phases to his work:
Phase 1: Pioneering Conservation Through Film and Photography
Early Childhood
Suyash Keshari picked up wildlife photography at a very young age. He borrowed his father’s reel camera and began taking photos – not knowing the nuances of photography – most images came blurred. But that did not matter to the young boy. All he wanted was to communicate the story of animals he was seeing, to the people around him. He would show it to his family and guests who would come home, narrating how he saw the animal, and talking at length about the species and its conservation.
His photography slowly improved. In a matter of few years, the frames began to speak volumes about the delicate balance of ecosystems and the plight of endangered species. His transition to filmmaking and on-camera presentation was a natural progression, inspired by pioneer wildlife presenters such as David Attenborough, Steve Backshall, John Varty and Steve Irwin. Their shows had a massive impact on Suyash, while also making him question “why doesn’t any Indian present on Indian wildlife, while people from all across the world come here and do the same. Could I do it?”
Professional Career
When Suyash began his professional wildlife career, he revisited this childhood dream. He began filming and presenting whatever he had learned, in front of camera. He started with a series on tigers in his home state of Madhya Pradesh and his favorite park – The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. The series named “Safari with Suyash” had a big breakthrough and was taken over for international distribution by WWF International.
Among his other groundbreaking projects — India’s first virtual safari series stands as a towering example of blending wildlife conservation with high impact experiential content in order to create impact. Launched amidst global uncertainties due to COVID-19, this venture brought the wonders of India’s wilderness directly to screens worldwide. More than entertainment, it became a lifeline for wildlife and conservation education during the pandemic. It showcased the rich biodiversity of Bandhavgarh National Park, the animals that live there and the tigers Suyash has followed for over 15 years. Most importantly, it connected thousands of people with wildlife of Central India.
Phase 2: Recognition and Impact
Suyash’s contributions started resonating across continents. This earned him recognition from esteemed institutions like National Geographic, Animal Planet, Travel & Leisure Magazine, Outlook and more. His films graced prestigious festivals, shining a spotlight on the urgent need to protect our planet’s natural heritage. His photography received accolades such as the Nature’s Best Photography Asia Award. This was followed by the Windland Smith Rice International Award by Smithsonian Natural History Museum (runners up). His true impact reached the hearts of many through social media, garnering a vibrant, global audience. He shared wildlife encounters, conservation insights, and the behind-the-scenes stories of his adventures.
During this time he received India’s 30 under 30 Award and was named one of the Top 5 Wildlife Professionals in India. He was also covered in over 350 magazines, newspapers, and channels.
Phase 3: A Commitment Beyond the Lens
Beyond the lens, our founder’s commitment to conservation is palpable in his work. Through Ameliya Safaris, he pioneers the blend of wildlife tourism with conservation practices. The framework ensures that every safari supports local communities, generates employment and fuels wildlife conservation projects. Proceeds from these ventures fund anti-poaching initiatives and provide essential resources to protect endangered species and their habitats.
Till date we have equipped 250 members of anti-poaching units with shoes, torches, raincoats and bags. We’ve electrified 175 anti-poaching camps, built two waterholes for wildlife in deficit areas, fought forest fires alongside guards, and much more. [to read about our impact projects in detail, visit Impact ]
Suyash’s motto has remained the same throughout these years-
What we can see, we can love, and what we can love, we will fight to protect.”
Suyash Keshari
The Path Forward
Through Ameliya Safaris, his goal is to multiply this positive impact on the people, the places, and the wildlife we encounter. We’ll achieve this by creating employment opportunities in every single wildlife area we operate in, funding education and conservation projects, bringing more professionals into the fold, and continuing to provide life-changing safari experiences at a greater scale.
Ameliya Safaris is not a long-standing organization that has stood the test of time- yet.
It’s a Collective born of a single person’s initiative, a company with deep roots, growing deeper by the day.
