Kenya: The Secret Golf Holiday Destination

The name Kenya brings to mind adventure, a one –to-one with the wild, beautiful landscapes and the even more fascinating Maasai. Even though all of that is true and Kenya does attract tons of tourists to its wild life sanctuaries, pulled by its rich cultural heritage and legacy but this east African country also has a little secret not many know about – golf. It’s true! Kenya is one of the fastest developing golf travel destinations in Africa and golfers of all nationalities are pouring in to savor some of the best courses on the continent.

Golf courses in Kenya are well designed and even better kept. The paucity of water sources has been offset by the use of local grasses that can be maintained with less irrigation. The quality of golf courses in the country is a big pull for golf holiday makers as are the facts that Kenyan golf is not too crowded or too costly. Add to this the excitement of playing on courses where other than the sand bunkers, water hazards and indigenous trees you are highly likely to come across a giraffe or a wild boar and you have your adventure golf vacation all set.

So, if you are in the mood for some discovery and adventure pack your clubs and get moving in the direction of Kenya on a golf tour you’ll dream of in years to come. Start your golf travel as soon as you land in the capital city of Nairobi with The Royal Nairobi golf Club, founded in 1906. At 7,021 yards this 18-hole championship course plays to a par of 71 and despite the challenges on the back nine allows golfers of all skill levels to get a satisfying round of golf. With a panoramic view of the Ngong Hills on most holes, this is one of the best courses in Kenya. Other courses to include in your golf package are The Kenya Railways Golf Club and the Aberdare Country Club.

One of the best known courses in Kenya and the must play track on any Kenyan golf vacation is the Muthaiga Golf Club in Kiambu. The host of The Kenya Open, Muthaiga lies at the edge of the Karura Forest and also hosts several exotic varieties of trees. The accompanying flora not only adds to the layout’s challenge but also make Muthaiga one of the most beautiful courses to play in Kenya.

The Ngong Hills in Nairobi are not only breathtakingly imposing but also house the 6,630 meter Karen Golf Club - an 18- hole championship course that hosted The Kenya Open in 2004 & 2005. Along with the Karen Golf Club, also include the Sigona Golf Club 40 minutes away from Nairobi on the Nakuru road in your golf tour. At a similar distance is The Limuru Country Club which is a must play on any golf vacation for its testing layout and the lush, verdant greens.

The biggest plus in Kenyan golf’s favor is its year round pleasant and sunny climate. That is always appealing to a golf travel enthusiast and enables him to play the maximum number of courses out of the 40 offered by the country. Take advantage of the beautiful temperate Kenyan climate and swing away at these courses before your Kenyan golf holiday gets over: The Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort in Naivasha, Leisure Golf Club on the Southern Coast of Kenya and the Nyali Golf Club on the Northern Coast.