Most visitors to Kenya don’t go expecting to get multiple rounds in at some of the finest golf courses in the world, but with a little planning and forethought, they certainly could.
Kenya is known for stunning wildlife, natural beauty and fantastic beaches, all of which help set the backdrop for some of the finest golf courses in the country.
Here we take a look at seven of the best courses you can play in Kenya.
Limuru
Located in a region renowned for its agricultural land and tea plantations, Limuru boasts tree-lined fairways that rival any to be found in Kenya, and the clubhouse’s veranda vista is among the most breathtaking in all of Africa.
This course is known for both its beauty and the welcoming spirit of the staff and it is highly recommended that you make use of their caddy service. Limuru also has a whole lot of other sporting and recreational activities to take part in.
Nyali
Located in the affluent residential neighbourhood of Nyali, which is situated to the north of the stream that divides Mombasa Island from the North Coast, the 18-hole course at Nyali Golf & Country Club spans 150 acres and was formerly part of an estate that processed sisal for the manufacturing of rope and twine.
All of the greens at Nyali were built using Polana grass from Mozambique, which is being utilised today along with grass cultivated at the club’s nursery. There are still plenty of wild creatures roaming the area, and during a round, one may occasionally encounter the club’s mascot, the vervet monkey, as shown on its emblem.
Windsor
Playing and staying at the Windsor is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Because the resort was built to evoke the heyday of Kenya’s aristocratic British pioneers, it has a striking resemblance to The Savoy, Claridges, and Gleneagles. Here in Windsor, there’s a little bit of each.
The golf course, that was created by Tom Macauley to championship standards and spans through gorgeous forests and coffee fields, is regarded by some as one of the greatest in Africa. The course has well over 70 bunkers, in addition to eye-catching water features, making it a challenging but breathtaking course to play. Because of its elevation of one mile above sea level, even light hitters can find an additional ten yards of length off the tee.
Sigona
Sigona Golf Club is located near Kikuyu, northwest of Nairobi, on mountainous terrain that was formerly a wattle tree plantation. It is close to the major road leading to Lake Naivasha. Approximately 6,000 feet above sea level, the course is located close to the Rift Valley and was created by renowned English course architect Tom Simpson. It was first opened for play in 1938.
Sigona’s beautiful greens are well-known in Kenya, but the track’s intricate contours make it difficult to play.
Karen
The club is named after famed author Karen Blixen but you can ask to speak to the manager if you really must.
Established in 1937, concurrently with the publication of Out of Africa, Karen Country Club boasts an exquisite golf course that is sometimes regarded as Kenya’s most beautiful. The course winds through a kaleidoscope of floral shrubs and plants, including Blixen’s old coffee estate in the colonial town of Karen. Karen is undoubtedly picture-perfect.
Muthaiga
Muthaiga will host the Kenya Open in 2024 and there are few more fitting venues right now.
Situated in the upscale district of Muthaiga, to the north of Nairobi, the Muthaiga Golf Club is located on the edge of the Karura forest. The club is considered one of the pioneers of golf in Kenya, constructing the full 18-hole course in 1926 after the original 9-hole layout was created in 1913. The back nine of the course winds around many artificial lakes near the clubhouse, while the front nine is set in the more undulating terrain on the other side of Kiambu Road.
Vipingo Ridge
The Baobab course, the first of two 18-hole designs envisioned for an ambitious residential development at Vipingo Ridge, is located just a few miles from the coast, giving golfers spectacular views of the Indian Ocean to the east and wonderful sunsets over the interior of Africa to the west. It is less than an hour’s drive north of Mombasa’s downtown. This course is newer than any others on this list, but it is a technical masterpiece and will only get better with time.
Built in accordance with USGA guidelines, the course was laid out in 2009 by Northern Ireland’s David Jones, a previous Kenya Open champion. The course is traversed by a network of connected lakes, streams, and waterfalls that enhance the design’s aesthetic appeal and tactical interest. During development, thousands of new trees were also planted, which will eventually give the fairways more definition.
The 7 best golf courses in Kenya including DP World Tour stop Muthaiga Golf365.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login