Golf in Kenya by Mike Jones

G O L F I N K E N YA T H E N AT U R A L C H O I C E

Foreword

Kenya - Naturally Better Kenya is famous the world over for thrilling wildlife and breathtaking scenery in vast national parks that carry visitors right to the heart of Africa. What is less well known is that Kenya embraced the world’s favourite game many decades ago, with a rich variety of convivial clubs and challenging courses dating back to 1906. Golf in Kenya has since spread its wings into the championship realm, with world-class courses springing up from the white sands of the Indian Ocean to the magnificent escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. Playing golf in Kenya is a wonderfully evocative experience that every golf traveller will cherish. There is such variety, not only between the city and the coast, but between individual courses. Real estate is either completely absent or tastefully assigned, allowing the golfer to enjoy the wonders of nature in the company of highly experienced caddies. For a memorable golf vacation that always delivers much more than it promises, Kenya is the natural choice!

Peter Walton Chief Executive International Association of Golf Tour Operators www.iagto.com

So close, you could be here tomorrow!

Golf in Kenya... the natural choice

A Promotional Partnership

Taking Kenyan Golf to the World Jambo and welcome to the inaugural Golf in Kenya guide. This guide has been designed to inform tour operators, discerning golfers, and the travel market in general about Kenya’s emergence as a world-class golf destination. The publication forms a key component of a strategy being implemented by the Kenya Golf Marketing Alliance (KGMA) and the Kenya Tourist Board (KTB), in conjunction with the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). KGMA was formed in 1998 to market Kenya as an international golf destination. There are presently 12 members, including specialised golf operators, golf resorts and hotels, and the Kenya Tourist Board, which is charged with marketing Kenya as a preferred tourist destination both locally and internationally. Over the past 10 years, the three partners have collaborated on a strategy to help Kenya realise its potential as a significant and highly unique golf destination. In September 2010, IAGTO published the Golf Tourism Promotion & Development Strategy for Kenya, the implementation of which is the responsibility of KGMA and KTB. The strategy aims to double the number of golf tourists visiting Kenya over the next two years. The production of Golf in Kenya is the first major step in implementing this strategy. The aim of the guide is to inform tour operators and consumers about Kenya’s finest courses, each with its own unique character and inspiring setting, and to showcase the numerous opportunities for combining golf with a safari or beach vacation. We hope that the readers of this guide enjoy exploring our wonderful country from a golfing perspective, and are suitably tantalised by our incredible product. Once again, Karibu (welcome).

David W. Stogdale Chairman Kenya Golf Marketing Alliance

Muriithi Ndegwa Managing Director Kenya Tourist Board

KENYA GOLF MARKETING ALLIANCE

“With new courses created by some of the world’s finest golf architects, and the renovation of several established courses, Kenya is striding onto the international golfing stage with increasing confidence. We are committed to consolidating our new profile, and making Kenya a must-see destination for the discerning international golfer.” Hon. Najib Balala, Minister for Tourism

Contents Introduction................................................. 10 Lake Turkana

History......................................................... 12

Lake Turkana

Golfing in Kenya.....................................14-18 Sample Itineraries....................................20-21 Nairobi......................................................... 24 Karen Country Club........................................ 26 Limuru Country Club...................................... 28 Muthaiga Golf Club......................................... 30 Sigona Golf Club............................................. 32 Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club.............. 34 Kenya’s Golf Coast........................................ 38 Leisure Lodge Beach & Golf Resort................. 40 Nyali Golf & Country Club............................. 42 Vipingo Ridge - Baobab Course....................... 44 The Great Rift Valley..................................... 46 Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort............. 48

KENYA Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria

Nairobi

Mt. Kilimanjaro 5895 m

The Great Rift Valley Pages 46-49

Nairobi Pages 24-35

Publisher: MJS Nairobi

Editor: Ralph Johnstone

Golf Course Photography: Phil Inglis

Equator

Mt. Kenya 5199 m

Nairobi

Indian Ocean

Mt. KilimanjaroIndian Ocean 5895 m Mombasa Mombasa

0 0

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0 200 km

100 mi

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Kenya’s Golf Coast Pages 38-45

www.kgma.co.ke

I N T RO D U C T I O N

magine the perfect round in Golf Heaven. Lush fairways and flawless greens under a sparkling blue sky. A backdrop that alternates between azure seas and sweeping game-filled plains. Ancient forests flashing with iridescent birdlife. Deer and monkeys gambolling on the fairways. Your favourite playing partners. A charming and attentive caddy. Pure, unfettered relaxation... Open your eyes. This is no dream. This is golf in Kenya – the world’s most Heavenly golf destination. Kenya has always been the ultimate safari land: a place of magical creatures, ancient cultures,

Welcome to Heaven

postcard-perfect beaches, and one of the world’s warmest welcomes. But now it also boasts a new claim: five-star golf safaris in some of the most spectacular natural settings on Earth. With the opening of several new championship courses and a wealth of luxurious golf estates, Kenya is striding onto the international golfing stage with the swagger of a confident old hand. Some of the world’s best players have endorsed the country as their holiday destination of choice. It’s no coincidence that in 2009, Africa’s most celebrated safari country was also voted ‘Undiscovered Golf Destination

of the Year’ by the International Golf Travel Writers Association. As well as offering golfers a stunning diversity of coastal, forest and high-altitude courses, in a consistently comfortable climate, Kenya also offers a fabulous array of pastimes to fit in between rounds, or to entertain one’s family and friends. From a short hop to the most captivating wildlife spectacles on Earth, to beautiful beaches, incredible diving and fishing, adrenalin-fuelled action sports, game walks with legendary trackers – from the most modern luxuries to the most ancient wisdoms – Kenya truly does have it all.

H I S T O RY

Journeys in Time

Kenya has 42 courses, at least eight of which have hosted major tournaments and are considered to be of international standard. A variety of smaller courses offer unique geographical quirks for the connoisseur: from “Kenya’s only uphill course” on the slopes of Nakuru’s extinct Menengai volcano; to Mount Kenya Safari Club, where the Equator and a rich variety of wildlife cross the fairways; to one of the unlikeliest courses you’ll ever come across on the salt-encrusted shores of Lake Magadi.

or years Kenya has rested on its laurels as the world’s favourite safari destination. With the most captivating and prolific wildlife on Earth, some of its most stunning beaches, its oldest pastoralist cultures, and a delightfully warm welcome from its 42 tribes, the country has never had to look beyond its natural attributes to lure visitors to its shores. Its 42 golf courses, meanwhile, have remained something of a well-kept secret. But slowly, steadily, the story is getting out. In recent years, a number of impressive new developments have pointed to Kenya as the ‘awakening giant’ of international golf tourism. Several new world-class courses have opened in spectacular locations, with masterful designs, meticulous landscaping and artful hazards offering golfers a rich variety of shot-making challenges amid some of the widest and wildest views on Earth. With the latest David Jones championship course on Kenya’s beautiful north coast drawing praise from golfers such as Ian Woosnam, several other new courses are now taking shape at the coast. The country has also been busy lifting its profile on the international competition circuit, with fast-growing numbers of professional players and five new Kenyan tournaments offering World Ranking points in 2011. A new UK-based golf academy run by former tour players, Tour Master Classes, is planning its first trips to Kenya in 2012.

A Royal Pedigree With long days, consistent sunshine, and evening rains to nourish its courses, Kenya has always offered the perfect golfing escape from the northern hemisphere. When the first Europeans settled here in the late 19th century, it was commonly said that each community

And then there is Kenya’s colourful colonial history, which allows you to brush shoulders with some of the most legendary figures from Africa’s past: whether playing on the site where Karen Blixen grew her coffee in Nairobi, or beside the home of Scouts founder Lord Baden Powell in Nyeri; following in the footsteps of the late, great Seve Ballesteros at Muthaiga; or chasing the legends of Winston Churchill and Bing Crosby on the slopes of Mount Kenya. Wherever you go in Kenya, there is always history: rich, ancient and enduring.

should have a church, a club and a golf course – although not necessarily in that order... In 1906, just seven years after the East African Railway arrived in the swampy Maasai country known as Enkare Nyrobi, Kenya’s first golf course opened in what is now Upper Hill. The Nairobi Golf Club – which would become the Royal Nairobi Golf Club – opened the floodgates for an intrepid band of golf-course architects, who went on to build dozens of courses from the lush central highlands to the panoramic slopes of the Great Rift Valley, and on to the sparkling Indian Ocean coast.

And then – finally, indubitably – there is the natural history. No other country in Africa, perhaps none on Earth, offers the sheer depth of immersion in pure, wild, unrestrained nature. From swimming with whale sharks at the coast to elemental elephant encounters at Amboseli, from the gentle antics of the fearsome big cats to the superlative-defying spectacle that is the Maasai Mara migration, no other country does wildlife quite like Kenya. So don’t just pack your clubs and your gloves. Bring your binoculars and your walking boots. Bring your family and your friends. Whichever way you look at it, a golfing holiday in Kenya is just too good not to share.

It was commonly said that each community should have a church, a club and a golf course – although not necessarily in that order...

GOLFING IN KENYA

Playing Golf in Kenya Caddies Caddies in Kenya are great companions as well as competent golfers, and if requested will offer invaluable advice on every shot. They are also incredibly proficient at finding lost balls, and don’t seem at all worried about the wildlife that may be lurking in the rough! All caddies speak excellent English, and will of course be delighted to help you improve your Swahili. Courses generally charge a caddy fee of $6-8, which is paid directly to your caddy. An additional tip for a personal ‘thank you’ will also be much appreciated. Clubhouses and Attractions

Golf Etiquette

Availability

olfing in Kenya is a relatively gentle affair, with little of the formal marshalling you see on the major European and American courses. So while you will find a healthy respect for the traditions of the game, expect a somewhat more relaxed attitude to formality on the course.

Most clubs have a weekly ‘club night’, when members enjoy exclusive use of the course for the afternoon, or in some cases for the whole day. Competition days are usually held during the weekends. At all other times, visiting golfers can usually just show up and play – although, again, prior bookings are recommended. Clubs have a relaxed attitude towards juniors, and 16 years is generally considered to be the minimum playing age.

Some courses allow five- or six-ball groups at quiet times, but they will always observe the etiquette of letting quicker groups play through. As with most international courses, Kenyan courses expect a rate of play of approximately 15 minutes per hole, and therefore allow generous gaps between tee-off times. Your round shouldn’t take more than four and a half hours. Generally most courses are not too busy during the week, but they can get busy at weekends – so bookings are advised. All the main Kenyan courses have half-way refreshment stops, with many offering packaged and fresh snacks as well. Most golfers are not in a hurry either, so you can take time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings – including some of the most exotic flora and spectacular birdlife anywhere in the world.

Price One of the best things about golf in Kenya is the cost. The courses are far easier on the pocket than their European or American counterparts. Green fees vary between courses and days of the week, but usually come in significantly under US$50 for an 18-hole round and for that you get first-class facilities, welcoming clubhouses, and miles of tranquil fairways – often all to yourself. The only nominal extra cost will be a caddy, which given the altitude and climate is worth every shilling. Kenya’s golf clubs welcome nonmembers and do not insist on visitors taking out ‘temporary membership’ or producing handicap cards.

The diverse attractions close to Kenya’s courses ensure that golfers and their families rarely have to part ways to make the most of a “golf safari”. All the courses featured in this publication offer the facilities of first-class country clubs, from fine cafés and restaurants, to swimming pools and luxury spas, tennis courts and a rich variety of games, such as table tennis, snooker and movies. The coastal courses provide easy access to a world-class list of watersports, from glassbottom boat rides to kite-surfing and scubadiving, while the Nairobi courses offer beautiful walks and some of the best birdwatching in the country. Then there are the wilder excursions, ranging from boat rides among hippos at the Great Rift Valley Golf Resort to swimming with whale sharks near Leisure Lodge. Even in Nairobi, the wilds are never far away: Karen Country Club is a stone’s throw from the Giraffe Centre, where you can feed rare Rothschild giraffes, as well as the enchanting baby elephants and rhinos at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Such places will keep your family entertained while you play golf – ensuring you can join them for the “real” action of a longer safari in one of Kenya’s legendary national parks.

Blame any errant shots on the fact that the scenery keeps getting in the way. Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club

At Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, we understand that feeling of artistry that’s experienced only on the golf course. We also know what a difference it makes to play in truly spectacular surroundings. Straddling the equator at the heart of the country is Mount Kenya, the sacred peak of an extinct volcano. It is the backdrop of snow-crowned peaks of the mountain and sheer rock faces that make every hole spectacular. Nestled in the foothills of Mount Kenya and with a history as rich and evocative as the surrounding landscape, this par three course offers a snapshot of Africa from a bygone era. Staying at a Fairmont Hotel means that everything meets our exacting standards, from the pillows to the greens, we believe that your experience should be masterful. For reservations, please contact your travel professional or call +254 20 2265000 or email kenya.reservations@fairmont.com www.fairmont.com/kenyasafariclub

GOLFING IN KENYA

enya’s growing prominence on the global golf map has led several of the country’s leading tour operators to set up specialised golfing divisions. Today, a number of international and Nairobi-based operators offer a range of bespoke golf itineraries that combine the country’s top championship courses with some of the quirkier, lesser known courses, and a choice of adventurous safari and coastal holidays. As well as the chance to play on a stunning range of courses, with widely varying terrains and characteristics, most of the top courses enjoy well-established links to the country’s natural attractions, and boast some of the most luxurious accommodation, as well as a rich variety of spa,

Links with Adventure

resort and sporting facilities. This not only offers visiting golfers a huge range of offcourse attractions, but provides accompanying family and children with a wide choice of safe and exciting pastimes and excursions. The close proximity of many of Kenya’s top courses means that you can be playing golf in the morning, basking on a pristine white beach in the afternoon, and getting ‘up close and personal’ with a leopard or an elephant at a waterhole in the evening. No matter how you want to spend your time off the course, Kenya offers a world of opportunities – from wild adventure to serene luxury – for the modern golfer and their family.

Following the Rains The main tourist season in Kenya is from mid December to early February. Although it can be quite hot and dry at this time, the heat means the larger animals tend to congregate at watering holes in the national parks – making them easier to see. There are two rainy seasons in Kenya: the short rains in November, and a longer wet season that usually lasts from the end of March to early May. The rainy seasons actually provide one of the best times for golfers to visit Kenya, when there are fewer tourists on the courses and the hotels are less well frequented (and their rates generally lower). The rain itself also presents generally

TIPS & TRICKS There is no dispute that Kenya’s varied courses offer an exciting prospect for the avid golfer, but for the uninitiated the following advice may prove to be invaluable and help add to the enjoyment. Playing at altitude Nairobi’s finest courses are all at an altitude of between 5,500 and 6,000 feet and the Great Rift Valley’s course is at 7,000 feet. Altitude affects all areas of the game of golf, from the player’s health and well-being to the effects on the ball and playability of a course. At high altitude, air pressure is less than the sea-level pressure and therefore less oxygen is absorbed into the body. Allowing a day for the body to acclimatise before playing will reduce the possibility of fatigue, dizzyness or headaches - all symptoms of altitude sickness. And if you do feel like you’re struggling, take the buggy! The effects of alcohol are worse at altitude and it is recommended to avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water, especially in the first few days. The good news however is that the lower air density means your drive will improve by 10-15%. An hour on the driving range is therefore a good idea to assess which clubs work for various distances.

good golfing conditions, with most of the rain falling at night and leading to lush fairways and greens that hold. Golfers who are a bit wilder at heart should also consider visiting in September or October, when the colder weather has passed but you can still enjoy views of the Great Migration – when nearly two million wildebeest and zebra cross the Maasai Mara, in what is often described as “the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth”. ‘Caddy Country’ Since the earliest safaris a century ago, Kenya has been famous for its friendly welcome – and this remains one of the great promises of a Kenyan

Keeping cool and staying warm At the Coast, the weather is usually hot and humid and it is important to avoid dehydration, which can lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion and even heat stroke. Drink plenty of fluids, avoiding alcohol and sugary drinks which speed up dehydration, and wear loose, light coloured clothing and a cap. Sun cream is essential. In Nairobi and particularly in the Central Highlands and Rift Valley, temperatures can be very warm during the day but drop significantly as the sun sets. A sweater or slipover is therefore just as important as sun cream!

Plan! It is highly advisable to book your itinerary through one of the specialised golf tour operators who will handle all transport, accommodation and tee-times. They also have a wealth of experience and will be able to offer sound advice. If you are planning your trip independently, don’t crowd your itinerary. Traffic during rush hour can be very slow and internal flights can be very busy during the high season. If travelling any large distances (>200km) consider flying rather than driving, as Kenya’s roads are far from perfect. Also remember that many of Kenya’s courses are private members’ clubs, which means they will not allow visitors on club nights and sometimes during the weekends. Sports baggage It is prudent to check the airline’s policy on golf bags via their website. Policies are frequently changing and no-one wants unexpected excess baggage charges at the airport. Tipping caddies Caddies rely almost entirely on gratuities so a tip is always warmly welcomed - even though Kenyans are extremely polite people and it will never be demanded. Take a camera Whether it’s the panoramas, the oncourse wildlife or relaxing at the 19th hole, your memories of golfing in Kenya will be treasured. And finally... Play more than one course! Kenya is blessed with such varied scenery, it would be a shame to miss any of it.

GOLFING IN KENYA

golf holiday. Our caddies are renowned around the world for their hospitality, their honesty, and their knowledge of the game. Many of the caddies at the top clubs are scratch players who have an intimate knowledge of their home courses; as well as carrying your bag and finding your ball, they will act as invaluable mentors and advisers during your round. Caddy fees and green fees are generally extremely good value at Kenya’s top courses. Green fees usually range between $30 and $45 for an 18-hole round, with an additional $6-8 fee for your caddy – not bad for a steady stream of local knowledge! Getting There Getting to Kenya has never been easier. Many airlines are now part of global alliances that have made travel to Kenya faster and more affordable. From the UK alone, British Airways, Kenya Airways, Virgin Atlantic and charter firms Thomson and Monarch all fly direct to Nairobi or Mombasa on a frequent basis, while over 40 other international airlines route via European, Middle Eastern or Asian destinations. Internally, there is an extensive network of routes served by several excellent regional airlines and charter firms, meaning transfers by air are both efficient and affordable. Visas and Passports Three-month tourist visas to visit Kenya can be obtained on arrival or prior to departure from the Kenyan High Commission or Embassy in your home country. (For a few specific countries, visas must be obtained prior to departure.) The

current rates are UK£30/US$50 for a Single Entry Visa which must be paid in cash. Children are also required to obtain an entry visa. Obtaining a visa on arrival is straightforward, but to speed up the immigration process, it is recommended that the visa form is downloaded and completed before departure. The passport holder must have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity remaining and ideally with two full blank pages. It is recommended that the latest fees and requirements are checked online before departure. Some useful links are: Britain/ Switzerland (www.kenyahighcommission. net); USA (www.kenyaembassy.com); Germany (www.kenyaembassyberlin.de); Italy (www.embassyofkenya.it); Spain (www. kenyaembassyspain.es); Japan (www.kenyarep-jp. com); General (www.magicalkenya.com). Money The local unit of currency is the Kenya Shilling (Ksh). At the time of writing, US$1 = approximately Ksh100, but the exchange rate fluctuates considerably. There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency, but for amounts greater than US$5,000 you will need to complete a declaration form. Hotels and banks will change cash and travellers cheques, although more favourable rates are usually obtained at forex bureaus. Avoid changing money with street dealers (however attractive their rates) and in general try to avoid carrying a lot of cash around. ATMs accept international credit and debit cards and all hotels accept Mastercard, Visa, Amex and other major cards.

Health It is recommended that all visitors see their doctor 4-8 weeks prior to departure for advice on medication and vaccinations. Hepatitis A and B, typhoid and polio are usually recommended vaccinations. Visitors over one year of age entering Kenya from yellow fever infected areas must have an international certificate of vaccination. Malaria remains a serious risk in much of the country (although the risk is lower in the highlands above 2,500m), and visitors are strongly advised to take prophylactic treatment before leaving home and throughout your time in Kenya. Drinking tap water is not advisable. Health and travel insurance are highly recommended, and you should ensure that your travel insurance includes emergency evacuation. Security Golfers enjoying Kenya’s courses (and other attractions) through a reputable tour operator are usually taking no greater a risk than playing at home. That said, some ‘common sense’ advice is worth emphasising: avoid visiting informal settlements (slums) in Nairobi, Mombasa and other urban areas; avoid any large public gatherings; avoid travel by buses and mini-buses, otherwise known as matatus; and avoid walking in the city at night. Unfortunately, the global threat of terrorism is equally prevalent in Kenya and the only practical advice can be ‘remain vigilant’.

S ample itinerar I E S

Naivasha Masai Mara National Reserve

A Golfing Safari Equator

Aberdare National Park

NAIROBI

Between June and October, more than 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra cross between the Serengeti in Tanzania and Kenya’s Maasai Mara in what is often described as ‘the greatest show on Earth’.

Tsavo

Mombasa

Day 1 • Arrive Nairobi. A choice of day excursions: shopping; Nairobi National Park; National Museum; Elephant Orphanage. Day 2-3 • Golfing in Nairobi. 18 holes at a choice of courses combined with optional excursions. Day 4-7 • Maasai Mara. Early flight (45 mins) to the Mara, afternoon game drive or optional balloon safari. Three nights in a luxury lodge or exclusive tented camp. Day 7 • Early morning game drive and lunchtime flight back to Nairobi; optional afternoon round. Day 8 • Naivasha. Golfing in the Great Rift Valley - transfer by road (2 hrs), afternoon round, overnight at the Lodge or in the Aberdare National Park. Day 9 • Early morning game drive and afternoon drive back to Nairobi. Day 10 • Early flight to either the North or South Coast. 18 holes in the afternoon. Day 11-13 • Golf or relaxing by the pool or on the beach. Day 14 • Depart Nairobi.

Golfing in the Great Rift Valley, 7,000 feet above sea level.

Daphne Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage, a popular day trip when staying in Nairobi.

Sun, Sea and Golf

S ample itinerar I E S

Arabuko Sokoke Forest

Watamu

Vipingo Ridge

Indian Ocean Nyali Golf & Country Club

Mombasa Diani Beach, frequently ranked one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the world.

Diani Beach

Leisure Lodge Beach & Golf Resort Ukunda Airstrip

Day 1 • Arrive Nairobi. A choice of day excursions: shopping; Nairobi National Park; National Museum; Elephant Orphanage. Day 2 • Early flight to the South Coast (1 hour 15 mins). Afternoon round at Leisure Lodge Beach & Golf Resort. Day 3-4 • Diani Beach. Golf or relaxing by the pool or on the beach. Optional overnight excursion to Tsavo East (30 mins flight). Kenya’s expansive coral reefs offer an abundance of world-class dive sites.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fort Jesus on Mombasa Island was built in 1593.

Day 5 • Transfer by road to Nyali Golf & Country Club (1 hour 30 mins) via Mombasa. Afternoon round. Day 6 • Transfer by road to Vipingo Ridge (25 mins). Afternoon round. Day 7 • Vipingo Ridge. Day 8-10 • Watamu Beach: optional deep-sea fishing. Day 11 • Transfer for flight to Nairobi. Day 12 • Depart Nairobi.

Our Greens

Our Fairways

Connoisseur Safaris

Our Bunkers Let Southern Cross Safaris take you there and everywhere in East Africa. We can recommend many delightful 19th hole resting places. Safaris par excellence! .…by the way we know some fabulous golf courses along the way that we can take you to as part of your trip!

Please contact us for your golfing safari and/or beach holiday desires: sales@southerncrosssafaris.com • Tel +254-20-2434800 /1/2/3 or +254-734-122022

www.southerncrosssafaris.com

Nairobi Nairobi is Kenya’s capital city and the centre of government and commerce. This vibrant and cosmopolitan city offers visitors a choice of world-class accommodation, fine restaurants, exciting retail opportunities, and a huge range of cultural activities and wilderness excursions. The five golf courses featured are between 30 and 90 minutes’ drive from the city centre, each unique in its topography, setting and style. Nairobi’s courses epitomise the charm of golfing in Kenya: just a short hop from the modern city, you are transported to the ancient heart of the African bush, surrounded by virgin forests, hills and savannah, and enchanted by beautiful birds and rare and unique wildlife. The golf experience All of Nairobi’s courses enjoy wonderful natural surroundings and a tremendous variety of landscapes, from the subtropical forests of Windsor to the higher plantations and temperate woodlands of Limuru. There are no houses or residences within the perimeter of any of the golf courses. All the courses featured are of an international standard, with exciting and challenging designs, picturesque water hazards, and fairways that often play home to diverse wildlife. Kenya is ‘Caddy Country’ for golf and, while some courses offer buggies for hire, the caddy experience is fun and the caddies are extremely knowledgeable and have a great command of English. Walking Nairobi’s courses also gives the golfer a real opportunity to experience the great African outdoors. Between rounds Next to Nairobi city centre is Nairobi National Park – a unique ecosystem and the only protected reserve in the world that adjoins a capital 35 city. The park has a large and diverse wildlife Daily Max population and guided game drives can be 30 arranged from any hotel. There is also an elevated Min ‘Safari Walk’ for 25 a bird’s-eye view of theDaily park. 20

Within the city, the National Museum offers an 15 enlightening introduction to Kenya’s rich natural J F M A M J J A S O N D and cultural heritage and there are also several superb art and craft galleries, including the Rahimtulla Museum of Modern Art. 250

To the southwest200of the city lies the suburb of Karen, named after Karen Blixen, the legendary author of Out of150 Africa. After playing a morning 100 Club, afternoon trips can be at Karen Country made to Karen Blixen’s house, Giraffe Manor, 50 and Daphne Sheldrick’s world-famous elephant 0 J F M A M J J A S O N D orphanage.

Mombasa

For something different, white-water rafting, mountain climbing, and trips to archaeological sites are all within a few hours’ drive of the city. Accommodation Finding somewhere to stay in Nairobi is never a problem. All the major international hotel groups have outlets in the city, or golfers may choose to stay at a golf resort or one of the many delightful boutique hotels in Nairobi’s leafy suburbs. Accessibility Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is located just outside the city centre and is a major international gateway on all major airline routes. Wilson Airport serves as a domestic hub for flights to the coast and national parks.

10 kms

Limuru Town

Limuru Golf Club Windsor Golf & Country Club Sigona Golf Club

Karura Forest

Kikuyu

Nairobi Karen

Ngong Rd Forest

Karen Golf & Country Club

Kasarani

Muthaiga Golf Club

Wilson Airport

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Nairobi National Park

Ngong Hills Nature Reserve

Climate Moderate, subtropical climate: warm days, cool nights. Average day-time temperatures (ºC) Daily Max

25 20 15

Daily Min

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“In the 40 years that I’ve been playing golf, I have always Daily Max 25 thought that Kenya’s unique 20 appeal and wonderful courses 15 Daily Min 10 should be attracting golfers 5 J F M A Mfrom J J A all S Oover N D the world. It is a real pleasure in my life to see that vision finally being 150 120 realised.” 30

F M A M J

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Average monthly rainfall (mm) 250 200 150

100

F M A M J

Nairobi

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David Jones, Kenya Open Champion and international golf architect J

F M A M J

Nakuru

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25 The wilderness is literally on the doorstep of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

Karen Country Club

Left: Looking down the signature 12th hole to the clubhouse and centuries old Mugumo (fig) tree; centre: the enticing par-4 10th; right: the recently refurbished 4th hole.

With its lush fairways threading through natural woodlands, this stunning course occupies a special place in the heart of historic Kenya – on the site of Karen Blixen’s famous coffee estate. 18 holes, par 72 Altitude: 1,830 metres Tee distance (championship): 6,924 yards Tee distance (men’s): 6,662 yards Tee distance (ladies’): 5,707 yards Course rating (SSS): Men-72, Ladies-73 Opened: 1937 Designer: Jean Remy Martin

Mark Twain described golf as “a good walk spoiled”. Karen Golf and Country Club smiles at the wit, but responds with one of the best – and most beautiful – walks anywhere in Africa: among lush indigenous forests, and pools and wetlands bursting with birdlife, butterflies, sprays of flowers, and luminescent bougainvillea. As well as the area’s rich history (Karen Blixen’s home lies just beyond the second green), golfers will marvel at the little cameos of wildlife: a dik dik tip-toeing through the shadows; a Sykes monkey savouring a ripe fig; a family of bushbabies blinking down from the branches; the footprints of a warthog in a bunker... The golf will spoil you, however: with a course of quality and design to challenge professionals and warrant hosting of the Kenya Open, but tolerant enough to give higher handicappers the chance of a respectable score. Being near the equator above 1,800 metres, the sunshine sparkles and your ball flies further through the cool highland air. There are no big hills to climb, but ample twists and turns and thoughtfully placed hazards to give big hitters a reality check. Short par 3s over fountains and ponds will test and reward the deft, while our par 4s range from 300 to 450 metres, and our par 5s all top 500 metres.

+254 (0)722 204431 / (0)733 606950 golf@karen.or.ke • www.karencountryclub.org

And then there’s the ultimate panorama of our 19th hole: a pretty, parasol-lined terrace looking out over four tees, three greens and five fairways. We think even Mr. Twain would have approved. Clubhouse facilities • Club and trolley rental • 250-yard driving range • Practice putting area, chipping and bunker zone • Fully-equipped ‘dawn to dusk’ pro-shop with Callaway, Titleist and TaylorMade branded items • Changing rooms with showers and towels • All-day snacks, restaurant and cocktail lounge • Thursday club nights • The course is closed on most Fridays and Saturdays for competitions. On Sundays, prior booking has to be made and only four balls are allowed. Nearest hotels Karen Blixen Coffee Garden (1km) House of Waine (6km) Macushla House (10km) Giraffe Manor (11km) Norfolk Hotel (18km) Sankara (20km) Southern Sun Mayfair (21km) Tribe Hotel (26km)

For green fees and current course information, please visit www.kgma.co.ke/karen

The short but challenging 14th hole.

Limuru Country Club

Stunning views on the 5th hole (left), 16th hole (centre), and 5th hole (right).

Worthy of its place among Kenya’s most famous tea fields, Limuru Country Club shows that we value fine golf and fine company just as much as our most celebrated commodity. 18 holes, par 71 Altitude: 2,135 metres Tee distance (men’s): 6,739 yards Tee distance (ladies’): 5,582 yards Applicable for Professional and Championship tournaments Course rating (SSS): 71 Opened: February 1952 Designers: Mr. J.A. Kinnell & Major W.D. Bacon

Set amid the radiant green tea hills that gave rise to Kenya’s main export industry at the start of the 20th century, Limuru Country Club provides a serene and uniquely charming country retreat less than 30 kilometres from the bustle of downtown Nairobi. Nestled in the foothills of the Uplands Escarpment, as it begins its ascent towards the Aberdare Mountains, the course is spread out over 200 acres of broad, sweeping fairways interwoven with magnificent indigenous trees and alive with the calls and iridescent colours of thousands of beautiful birds. Golfers are invariably awed by the signature par-5 3rd hole, which enjoys stunning views over the luminous tea plantations as it descends to an immaculate green, bordered by a shimmering dam and rock gardens aglow with exotic flowers. The club members are a warm and welcoming mix of indigenous Kenyans, old settlers and international expatriates, and the rustic clubhouse has the feel of an old English pub with most of its original features still intact. The hardwood floors and bar, tavern-style settings, and roaring fires lit every night, combine to exude a restful and convivial atmosphere. Up here at over 2,100 metres, the highland air is crisp and energising, and the view from the clubhouse verandah – a sweeping panorama

over the 9th and 18th greens – is the perfect setting for a sundowner, as golfers complete their rounds cheered on by the club’s patrons. Clubhouse facilities • Branded clubs (Wilson, Tony Armor, Ping and Howson) for hire. Right/left handed clubs available • 300m driving range with target greens • Putting green and practice bunkers • Well-stocked pro-shop • Changing rooms with showers and towels • Restaurant, bar and terrace • Swimming pool, lawn bowling, squash court, three tennis courts • Members only: Wednesdays from 1100 1700 hrs during club nights and Saturdays in the event of a sponsored competition. Nearest hotels Thayu Roundvales (0.1km) Brackenhurst Conference Centre (2km) Kentmere Club (5km) Sovereign Suites (7km) The Tribe Hotel (10km) Sankara (29km) Southern Sun Mayfair (30km) Norfolk Hotel (32km) For green fees and current course information, please visit www.kgma.co.ke/limuru

+254 (0)722 645941 / (0)736 386853 / (0)20 2022299 golf@limurucountryclub.co.ke • www.limurucountryclub.co.ke

The lush, forest-lined fairway of the 3rd hole.

Muthaiga Golf Club

Left: view from the tee to the green on the par-3 2nd hole; centre: approach to the green on the par-4 9th hole; right: the 13th and the 14th fairway.

Combining tradition with the most challenging golf course in the region, Muthaiga Golf Club is a must play for any visiting golfer. 18 holes, Par 71 Altitude: 1,710 metres Tee distance (championship): 7,169 yards Tee distance (men’s): 6,801 yards Tee distance (ladies’): 5,783 yards Course rating (SSS): 72, 71, 73 Opened (original course): 1913 Opened (new course): 2004 Designer: Peter Matkovich

Muthaiga Golf Club, proudly called the ‘Home of Golf ’ by its elite membership, is in many ways the ultimate embodiment of Kenya’s unique marriage of ancient golf tradition and a modern 18-hole championship golf course. As the club prepares to celebrate its longawaited centenary, Muthaiga Golf Club has also been reborn as one of the most prestigious and challenging courses in the region. The force behind this renaissance is an extensive course reconstruction by the celebrated South African golf architect, Peter Matkovich, which in 2004 returned Muthaiga to prominence as the finest course with the fastest greens in East Africa. The Kenya Open, which is part of the European PGA Challenge Tour, is hosted at Muthaiga Golf Club every year and visitors can bask in the knowledge that many greats of the game have walked this way before – with names like Lyle, Ballesteros, Faldo and Singh etched on the clubhouse boards. Winding through the lush woodlands of Karura Forest, Muthaiga Golf Club offers a great ambiance, with its tree-lined fairways interspersed with numerous lakes and ponds. The water features are a breeding ground for magnificent Egyptian Geese, while monkeys frolic on the 522-yard doglegged 4th hole and the par-3 5th.

With lots of tradition and a most challenging golf course, Muthaiga Golf Club is a must play for any golfer visiting Kenya. Clubhouse facilities • Clubs for hire • 265-yard driving range • Putting green, practice bunker and chipping green • Fully-equipped pro-shop • Changing rooms with showers and towels • Members only times are Wednesdays from noon onwards. Nearest hotels Safari Park Hotel (7km) Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club (10km) Southern Sun Mayfair (5km) Norfolk Hotel (5km) Sankara (6km) Tribe Hotel (8km) For green fees and current course information, please visit www.muthaigagolfclub.com

+254 (0)20 2368440/1 / (0)722 168720 / (0)735 359792 admin@muthaigagolfclub.com • www.muthaigagolfclub.com

The 13th hole and the clubhouse.

Sigona Golf Club

Left: view of the 12th green from the fairway; centre: the water feature at the scenic 11th hole; right: the approach to the 8th green.

One of the first courses to draw overseas golfers to Kenya, Sigona remains one of the high flyers of African golf – and continues to draw unexpected visitors to its fairways. 18 holes, par 72 Altitude: 1,980 metres Tee distance (men’s): 6,890 yards Tee distance (ladies’): 5,631 yards Applicable for Professional and Championship tournaments Course rating (SSS): Men-72, Ladies-71 Opened: 1938 Designer: Tom Simpson

Originally constructed as one man’s fancy in 1938, Sigona Golf Club has brought delight to thousands of avid golfers over the past 70 years. The course was the farsighted dream of Mr. Jack Berkley-Matthews, head of the Kikuyu Estates agricultural company, who excised part of his firm’s rolling wattle tree plantations to build a personal nine-hole course. More than 30 years later, Berkley-Matthews’ dream was completed when Sigona became an 18-hole championship course, with the shortening of some of its lengthy par 5s and the addition of several challenging bunkers. Today, Sigona’s hilly Kikuyu-grass fairways are widely regarded as among the lushest, most beautiful, and most challenging in eastern Africa. Sigona’s original course was routed around an elephants’ watering hole – the reason for the elephant’s head on its striking club logo. The yellow-flowering wattles that divided the fairways have since been joined by a rich variety of shade and ornamental trees: podos, moringas, cape chestnuts and pines. Today, Sigona’s lush fairways and flawless greens are watered by a computerised irrigation system and the regular rainfall that falls on this high shoulder of the Great Rift Valley. The beautiful green surroundings and serene atmosphere belie the fact that the club is just 25 minutes from downtown Nairobi, along the main Naivasha highway.

There are unexpected surprises to be had here: golfers have been known to be disturbed by a variety of antelopes, including the majestic Beisa oryx, as well as a number of smaller mammals and Central Kenya’s ever magnificent birdlife. Clubhouse facilities • Club and shoe rental • 300-yard driving range • Professional putting greens • Pro-shop with high-tech training facilities • Changing rooms with showers and towels • Restaurant, bar and terraces • Members only times: Wednesday afternoon from 1200 hrs and Saturdays (club competition days). Nearest hotels Sankara (18km) Southern Sun Mayfair (19km) Norfolk Hotel (21km) Tribe Hotel (22km)

For green fees and current course information, please visit www.kgma.co.ke/sigona

+254 (0)722 600325 / (0)733 780441 / (0)20 2020518/9 info@sigonagolf.com / www.sigonagolf.com

The green and fairway of the signature 9th hole viewed from the halfway-house (Nanuk Hut).

Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club

Left: the signature 18th green viewed from the clubhouse; centre: a Sykes monkey crossing the 11th tee box; right: the approach to the 6th green.

For two decades, the Windsor has held the crown as the finest of Nairobi’s championship golf courses – an honour it is in no danger of ceding any time soon. 18 holes, par 72 Altitude: 1,830 metres Tee distance (championship): 7,290 yards Tee distance (men’s): 6,734 yards Tee distance (ladies’): 5,695 yards Course rating (SSS): Men-72, Ladies-72 Opened: 1992 Designer: Tom Macauley

Twenty years after it was heralded as Kenya’s first truly “international” 18-hole course, The Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club is still widely celebrated for its captivating blend of world-class championship golf with the more down-to-Earth delights of Africa’s natural heritage. Less than 30 minutes’ drive from downtown Nairobi, you can be playing on immaculate, springy fairways in the company of endearing Sykes monkeys, with the majestic sacred peaks of Mount Kenya and Ol Donyo Sabuk over your shoulder. Built on a former coffee estate, The Windsor is testament to the enduring vision of Tom Macauley, President of the former British Association of Golf Course Architects, who designed the course with a firm commitment to preserving the exceptional stands of virgin forest that dominate the stunning 220-acre site. The verdant valleys ensure the course remains a critical sanctuary for several significant bird species, including Egyptian geese, black kites, and the majestic brown eagles that soar above its fairways. The greens are renowned for being fast and true, with intricate challenges offered by 73 bunkers, and lakes and streams bringing water into play on nine separate holes. Two of the greens are completely ringed by water, adding an exhilarating test for both local and visiting golfers.

The Windsor prides itself as a natural “starting point” for international golfers – with its elegant suites and sumptuous facilities ensuring the heights of comfort in Nairobi, as well as a convenient base from which to explore the country’s farther-flung locations. Clubhouse facilities • Branded clubs and buggies for hire • Top brands for sale in the pro-shop Titleist, Ping, Callaway, TaylorMade • 273-yard driving range • Putting greens and practice bunkers • Changing rooms with showers and towels • Hotel with two restaurants, three lounge bars, heated swimming pool, squash & tennis courts and jogging track around the golf course • Club nights every Wednesday and competitions on Saturdays. Nearest hotels Windsor Golf Hotel (on site) Safaripark Hotel (6km) Tribe Hotel (10km) Southern Sun Mayfair (14km) Norfolk Hotel (14km) Sankara (14km)

For green fees and current course information, please visit www.kgma.co.ke/windsor

+254 (0)20 8647000 (ISDN) / (0)20 8562300 / (0)20 3565501-4 / (0)722 203361-4 /(0)733 333217-8 reservations@windsor.co.ke • www.windsorgolfresort.com

Bird’s-eye view of the Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, with Nairobi’s business district on the horizon.

Kenya’s Golf Coast Kenya’s magical coastline stretches for more than 400 kilometres – the entire length of the country’s eastern boundary. The dazzling white, sandy beaches and protected coral reefs are a haven for holidaymakers, but the region also has an enchanting culture and a rich, often tumultuous history. There are currently three major courses on the Coast, with several others planned or close to completion. The tropical climate ensures year-round sunshine, with seasonal onshore winds adding to the challenge and enjoyment of a round on the ‘Golf Coast’. The golf experience All of the Coast’s courses are beautifully presented, with breathtaking views over the Indian Ocean and a stunning variety of exotic flora and fauna. Palm-fringed fairways give way to indigenous forest and coral cliffs, with spectacular birdlife and troupes of Sykes and Colobus monkeys making regular appearances. All three courses profiled offer first class facilities and equipment hire – and excellent value for money.

encounters with the Big Five and a luxurious variety of lodges and tented camps.

Between rounds The beaches on both the North and South Coast are simply stunning, and even the most discerning travellers will be delighted by the sheer variety of facilities and activities on offer. Scuba diving, big-game fishing, windsurfing, whale watching, dhow cruises, and a wide choice of modern watersports and exciting day trips are available.

Accessibility Moi International Airport, about 10 kilometres from downtown Mombasa, is serviced primarily by charter firms from Europe. On the South Coast, Ukunda Airstrip provides very convenient access to Diani Beach and Leisure Lodge Beach & Golf Resort. There are several flights daily from Nairobi to Ukunda. Vipingo Ridge also has its own private airstrip.

On the North Coast, East Africa’s largest original coastal forest, Arabuko Sokoke, boasts an incredible number of endemic species and more than 230 recorded species of birds. North of Malindi, a short hop to Lamu Island offers a trip back in time, to experience the fusion of Swahili and Arab cultures in one of Africa’s oldest coastal settlements.

Accommodation There are many excellent hotels on both the North and South Coast. Although there is no official international rating for hotels in Kenya, most of the top resorts are either 4 or 5 star standard. All of the better hotels offer a wide range of accommodation options and a good choice of wining and dining outlets.

Climate Hot and humid all year round.

On the South Coast, visitors have a wide choice of exotic day trips, from the idyllic shores of Wasini Island to Shimba Hills National Reserve – home to both elephant and the rare Sable antelope. Kenya’s largest national park, Tsavo East, is also a short flight (or slightly longer drive) away, offering close

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Mombasa’s historical Old Town dates back to the 14th century and a day trip for souvenir shopping or a visit to Fort Jesus is definitely worth considering.

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Leisure Lodge Beach & Golf Resort

Left: view from the tee on the 15th hole; centre: view from the tee on the 13th; right: view over Lake Wilhelm on the 15th.

A unique and impeccably maintained course beside one of the most beautiful stretches of white sand on Earth, Leisure Lodge offers its guests the very best of both worlds. 18 holes, Par 72 Altitude: Sea level Tee distance (championship): 6,632 yards Tee distance (men’s): 6,385 yards Tee distance (ladies’): 6,123 yards Course rating: 73, 72, 69 Opened: 1998 Designer: Thomas Fjastad

It has been called the most beautiful course in East Africa, but one thing is certain: Leisure Lodge Golf Course is worth all the effort. The course’s creation was one of the largest construction projects ever witnessed on Kenya’s South Coast, with miles of coral overlaid with sand and topsoil, the installation of an intricate web of pop-up sprinklers, and tonnes of tifgreen, pennlinks and other special grasses imported from the United States. The result is one of the enduring success stories of Kenyan golf: a series of miraculously lush fairways that weave through mango, cashewnut and casuarina groves to immaculate greens that shimmer like mirages in the eternal coastal sunshine. Today, Leisure Lodge is widely regarded as one of the most exciting and exacting courses on Africa’s amateur circuit, with numerous tournaments staged here, including the now legendary Diani Beach Masters. The course features a variety of engaging challenges, including 88 bunkers, a giant lake in an old quarry on the 15th hole, and a smaller lake teeming with aquatic life on the 18th. The exotic fruit trees draw a steady procession of birds and monkeys, including friendly Sykes and raucous troupes of blackand-white Colobuses.

Best of all, after a round of golf, visitors can relax and unwind along one of the most beautiful stretches of powder-white sand in Africa. As the only true beach-and-golf resort in Kenya, Leisure Lodge can guarantee guests that ultimate holiday aspiration: the best of both worlds. Clubhouse facilities • Branded clubs and buggies for hire • 270m driving range • Putting green and practice bunker • Pro-shop and coaching packages • Changing rooms with showers and towels • Two fine restaurants and three bars • Wednesday club nights. Nearest hotels Leisure Lodge Resort (on site) The Sands at Nomad (3km) Indian Ocean Beach Club (2km) AfroChic Diani (1.5km) Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa (0.5km) For green fees and current course information, please visit www.kgma.co.ke/leisurelodge

+254 (0)40 3203624 / 3202620 • golf@leisurelodgeresort.com • www.leisurelodgeresort.com

The beautiful view back down the fairway from the 13th green.

Nyali Golf & Country Club

Left: the 18th green; centre: view of the 16th fairway from the back of the green; right: the 9th green from the 15th green.

The home of golf on Kenya’s coast, Nyali is a true seaside paradise, its perfectly formed greens flanked by flamboyant flame trees, its fairways alive with troops of vervet monkeys. 18 holes, par 71 Altitude: sea level Tee distance (championship): 6,715 yards Tee distance (men’s): 6,510 yards Tee distance (ladies’): 5,431 yards Course rating (SSS): 72 Opened: 1958 Designer: Monty Lowry

Located in the leafy Nyali suburb of Mombasa, Nyali Golf & Country Club is a traditional coastal course, lined with flowering trees and featuring impeccably maintained fairways and some of the fastest greens in Kenya. Its central location offers easy access to Mombasa’s world-class beach resorts, watersports centres, shops and restaurants – while the evocative 15th century landmarks of Fort Jesus and Mombasa’s Old Town are just a short drive away. Designed by Monty Lowry and first played in 1958, this challenging championship course offers testing short rough and numerous doglegs, providing a multitude of individual challenges for the seasoned golfer. The closely mown, well-watered fairways are comprised of a mixture of Mozambique Polana and Pemba grasses, while the lush, finely contoured greens are laid with Polana. In championship conditions, the greens regularly run at over 10 feet on the ‘Stimpmeter’. There are five par threes which all have a degree of chance for the badly hit shot. Monsoon winds can be either a help or a hindrance, turning easy par fours into tricky par fives – particularly for the higher handicap golfer. Few players have been able to break the course’s 71 par. Nyali has a 280-metre driving range and a practice area with two practice putting greens and a chipping green. There is also a six-hole par 3 junior course, the only facility of its kind

in Kenya. The club has a very friendly policy for young golfers and has the largest number of junior members in the country. Clubhouse facilities • Club rental • 280m driving range • Two putting greens, one chipping green • Pro-shop with wide range of accessories • Changing rooms with showers and towels • Swimming pool, gym, tennis and squash courts • Restaurant and well-stocked bar • Members only: Wednesdays and Thursday 1pm onwards. Nearest hotels Bahari Beach Hotel (4km) Mombasa Beach Hotel (5km) Nyali International Beach Hotel (3km) Reef Hotel (6km) Tamarind Village (5km) Voyager Beach Resort (4km) Whitesands Beach Hotel (10km) English Point Marina and Hotel (opening 2012) (6km) For green fees and current course information, please visit www.kgma.co.ke/nyali

+ 254 (0)726 414477 / (0)733 414477 / (0)20 2653881 info@nyaligolf.co.ke • nyaligolf@wananchi.com • www.nyaligolf.co.ke

The 14th green, looking back up the fairway.

Vipingo Ridge - Baobab Course

Left: the par-3 8th hole with the 9th tee in the foreground; centre: an uphill second shot to the 16th green; right: tumbling cascades on the left of the 9th fairway.

Nestled between the shimmering Indian Ocean and the rolling green hills of the Kenyan heartland, a landscape of lush, expansive beauty provides the setting for Vipingo Ridge, the newest and most striking addition to Africa’s great golf courses.

A huge practice area with well-spaced target greens allows golfers to replicate any conceivable shot on the course, and, at almost 300 metres in length, the driving range contains the longest of hitters.

Kenya’s latest, possibly greatest, course has all the experts talking. From the velvet greens to our iconic clubhouse, Vipingo’s Baobab Course brings a new dimension of golf to East Africa.

The Baobab Course, the first of Vipingo Ridge’s two 18-hole courses, is built to the most exacting international standards, with panoramic ocean views to the east and sunsets over the vast African interior to the west.

Clubhouse facilities • Golf clubs and buggies for hire • 300m driving range with target greens • Two large putting greens, chipping green with bunker • Pro-shop • Locker rooms with showers and towels • Restaurant, bar, rooftop terrace • Friday club nights • Please enquire for short term rentals of private residences on the estate.

18 holes, par 72 Altitude: 125 metres (410 feet) Tee distance (championship): 7,314 yards Tee distance (men’s): 6,881 yards Tee distance (ladies’): 6,483 yards Course rating (SSS): 75, 74, 73 Opened: 1st August 2009 Designer: David Jones

A meandering system of water features runs through the course, giving a real risk-reward quality to many holes, while creating new natural habitats for the region’s vibrant birds and wildlife. Extensive fairway modeling and planting of indigenous trees ensure that every hole has strategic elements to bring interest and enjoyment for all golfers. The fickle monsoon breezes make this 72-par course an even greater challenge. The signature 16th hole is a fantastic par four with six different tees down to a broad landing area beside a glittering lake. An uphill second shot features a cascading stream along the left of the fairway, with strategic bunkers to be avoided to find the large green.

Nearest hotels North Coast Hotel (10 mins) Mnarani Club (20 mins) Serena Beach Hotel (25 mins) Kilifi Bay Hotel (30 mins) For green fees and current course information, please visit www.kgma.co.ke/vipingo

+254 (0)733 155155 / (0)734 611009 / (0)728 999806 golf@vipingoridge.com • sales@vipingoridge.com • www.vipingoridge.com

Approaching the clubhouse on the 18th hole.

The Great Rift Valley Stretching from northern Syria to Mozambique, the Great Rift Valley is a 6,000-kilometre trench in the Earth and one of the planet’s most outstanding geological features. In Kenya, the valley is at its deepest north of Nairobi, where the Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort affords spectacular views over Lake Naivasha, Mount Longonot and the Aberdare Mountain Range. The Rift Valley offers golfers a real feeling of being in Africa, a spectacularly peaceful setting, and the perfect base for adding a longer wildlife safari to your itinerary. The golf experience The Rift Valley and surrounding highlands offer a choice of very different and, in some cases, very challenging courses. The Great Rift Valley Resort boasts a world-class course situated at 7,000 feet above sea level, with narrow, undulating fairways, shimmering lakes, and greens which gaze over the valley floor. Expect a 10-15% increase in your driving distance and remember that zebras and antelopes have right of way! Between rounds As with most areas in Kenya, the Rift Valley offers golfers a seemingly endless choice of activities and day-trip destinations.

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Lake Naivasha is an ornithologists’ dream and a boat trip to Crescent Island’s private sanctuary will allow close viewing of zebra, waterbuck, giraffe and several30 species of antelope. The adjacent Hell’s Gate National Park - named Daily Max Daily Max 25 after a break in the cliffs that was once a 20 tributary of a prehistoric lake - is home to Daily Min over 100 species 15 of birds, including vultures, Daily Min Verreaux’s Eagles10and the Augur Buzzard. Hell’s Gate is also famous for its spectacular gorges 5 J and A S volcanic O N D hot springs J F and M A geysers. M J J A S O N D Only an hour’s drive from Naivasha is the Aberdare National Park. The park’s deep 250 forested ravines are home to black rhino, 200 leopard, baboon and the rare mountain 150 at Treetops or The Ark is bongo. Overnight an experience not 100 to be missed. The park also offers excellent trout fishing. 50

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Kenya’s network A S O extensive N D J F M of A airports M J J and A S O N D airstrips means that the Maasai Mara, Tsavo and the Coast are only a short flight away. Nairobi

Accommodation The Great Rift Valley Lodge has a choice of comfortable en-suite rooms and stylish modern villas. In and around Naivasha, there is a wide choice of lodges, exclusive private getaways and charming country houses and farms that offer excellent accommodation, fine dining and a truly ‘Out of Africa’ experience. Accessibility A short drive from the well-maintained Pan African Highway, the Great Rift Valley Lodge is just one-and-a-half hours’ drive from Nairobi – or a 30-minute flight to its own all-weather airstrip.

Lake Nakuru National Park

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“Being able to play 18 holes on a world-class course and then go and watch hippos on a beautiful lake or a pride of lions hunting in the late afternoon... Kenya is truly a magical destination for the discerning but adventurous golfer.” Chris Moody, English professional golfer and 1988 European Masters Champion

47 Lake Nakuru National Park, home to thousands – sometimes millions – of flamingos nesting along the shores.

Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort

Left: the 11th green, protected by Lake Caroline; centre: the 18th fairway and green; right: the par-3 3rd hole.

With every hole offering spectacular views over the shimmering expanse of the world’s largest valley, this is clearly a course for golfers who like to reflect seriously on their game! 18 holes, par 71 Altitude: 2,088 metres Tee distance (championship): 7,107 yards Tee distance (men’s): 6,504 yards Tee distance (ladies’): 5,502 yards Course rating (SSS): 74, 72, 72 Opened: December 1999 Designer: Thomas Fjastad

Awarded Kenya’s Leading Golf Resort at the World Travel Awards 2008, 2010 & 2011

When the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort bagged the coveted award for ‘Leading Golf Resort in Kenya’ at the 2010 World Travel Awards, it was a worthy 10th birthday present for a course often described as among the most breathtaking in Africa. With horizon-touching views over the world’s largest valley, from Mount Longonot and the Aberdare Mountains in the east to the birdthronged lakes of Naivasha and Elementeita, the course offers an unfettered immersion in wild Africa, alongside some of the most memorable golf on the continent. A one-and-a-half hour drive or a 30-minute flight from Nairobi will have you teeing off at over 2,000 metres against an invariably stunning background – often watched by the herds of zebra and impala that naturally enjoy right of way on the course. The well watered course boasts beautifully contoured greens built to USGA specs with ‘tiffgreen’ Bermuda grass, while the fairways are planted with lush indigenous Kikuyu grass. All the holes are well bunkered, and there are five major water features spread throughout the course. The 654-yard, par-5 17th hole is celebrated as one of the longest – and trickiest to par – in the country. Thanks to our proximity to Lake Naivasha, we enjoy some of the most diverse birdlife on the planet, with over 300 species on record,

including pelicans and flamingos that fly over the course from one lake to the other. Black-headed Orioles, Fischers Lovebirds and Egyptian geese often sun themselves on the greens - seemingly oblivious to passing balls! It was no surprise to our regular patrons when we retained the ‘Leading Golf Resort’ award for a second consecutive year in 2011. Golf course facilities • Clubs for hire • 275m driving range • Putting, chipping and bunker practice areas • Fully-stocked pro-shop • Changing rooms with showers and towels • Beautiful ‘cloud-level’ restaurant and bar • Thursday club nights. Nearest hotels Great Rift Valley Lodge (on site) Chui Lodge (1 hour) Crater Lake Camp (45 mins) Elsamere Conservation Centre (1 hour) Lake Naivasha Country Club (50 mins) Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge (within 1 hour) For green fees and current course information, please visit www.kgma.co.ke/greatriftvalley

+254 (0)722 205894 / (0)733 411 105 / (0)20 444 6651/7929 sales@heritagehotels.co.ke • www.heritage-eastafrica.com/golf-resort/grvl/

The sloping green on the par-4 7th hole.

Endless fairways

Beautiful bunkers

Charming club houses

Family friendly

Get into the swing of Africa Origins is one of Kenya’s most respected tour operators, specialising in personalised itineraries throughout East and Central Africa. We seek to open doors, to give visitors the opportunity to enjoy, understand and immerse themselves in the region’s stunning beauty and heritage. We are highly experienced in arranging either golf-only tours or featured safaris which combine a traditional wildlife safari with the chance to play on some of the country’s finest courses. It’s a great way to enjoy your favourite sport - with 10 championship level golf courses and perfect weather all year round. And if any of your family doesn’t play golf – we can arrange a wildlife or sun and sand safari alongside. Visit our website to discover how we can help you discover Africa.

• A wide choice of wildlife safaris in Kenya and Tanzania • Luxury beach breaks from Mombasa to the Seychelles • Discover the ancient culture of Ethiopia • Go gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Origins Safaris info@originsafaris.info • www.originsafaris.com Tel: +254-(0)20 2042695-7 or +254-(0)20 2710171-2

Aberdare Hills GOLF RESORT: Kenya’s first 5 star world class eco-friendly golf resort

“The Aberdare Hills site is just fantastic and this project is very exciting. I am delighted to work on yet another high-end course in Kenya and believe the course at Aberdare Hills will be a joy to play for golfers at all levels. Rarely have so many memorable holes been built into a single round of golf.” David Jones

P. O. Box 46235 - 00100, Nairobi • email: info@aberdarehills.com • www.aberdarehills.com