Suyash Keshari
Wildlife Photographer and Filmmaker
Suyash Keshari, born in 1996 in a small remote town of Central India surrounded by forests, is a wildlife photographer, filmmaker, presenter, conservationist, and entrepreneur who has revolutionized how India experiences wildlife through technology and storytelling. Growing up with asthma, Suyash developed a profound personal connection to Ayurveda and nature. His childhood, painted with nature's hues through frequent forest excursions and encounters with diverse flora and fauna, laid the foundation for his life's work. Educated in Entrepreneurship, Journalism, and Political Science at Wake Forest University, North Carolina, Suyash's academic pursuit abroad only strengthened his resolve to make a difference back home in India.
Five-year-old Suyash spent hours watching wildlife documentaries on Discovery and Animal Planet. Inspired by legends like David Attenborough, Steve Backshall, John Varty, and Steve Irwin, he questioned why no Indian presented on Indian wildlife. After graduating from Wake Forest University and working in political advocacy in Washington DC, Suyash made a life-changing decision in 2019: he quit his well-paying job to become a full-time wildlife presenter and photographer, returning to India to fulfill his childhood dream. His self-taught photography skills rapidly improved, and his images began speaking volumes about ecosystem balance and endangered species' plight. One photograph of a six-month-old tigress named Solo earned him the Nature's Best Photography Asia Award, which hung at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum for a year.
In 2020, during the pandemic, Suyash pioneered India's first Virtual Safari Experience through his series "Safari with Suyash," which the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) International later adopted and distributed. This groundbreaking initiative brought the beauty, excitement, and wonder of Bandhavgarh National Park into homes worldwide, offering virtual safari experiences priced at ₹5,000 that allow participants to join from anywhere. The series became so popular that Suyash founded Ameliya Safaris, a luxury safari company offering privately guided wildlife experiences across India and Southern Africa.
Recognized in India's 30 Under 30 Award and ranked among the Top 5 Wildlife Professionals in the country, Suyash has been featured in over 350 magazines, newspapers, and publications. Ameliya Safaris has hosted hundreds of guests including celebrities, sports personalities, and political figures, while simultaneously funding anti-poaching efforts, building waterholes, restoring habitats, and conducting educational drives. Through his conservation apparel line, Suyash enables broader participation in conservation efforts. With 5% of all safari profits directed toward conservation and education projects, he's successfully blended high-end tourism with positive environmental impact, proving that passion, innovation, and dedication can create category-defining businesses that protect the planet's wild spaces.
