Besides being Kenya’s newest and top-ranking golf destination after attaining Professional Golfers Association status last week, Vipingo Ridge is home to a five-star private residential development overlooking the Indian Ocean. It is located approximately 40km from Mombasa city in Kilifi county, making it a top tourist destination.
I was part of a team of Mombasa journalists who attended the official opening of the Baobab Golf Course and the Vipingo Golf Academy by Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario. We toured the multi-million facilities and the scenery was amazing.
Scribes and visitors from outside Mombasa had arrived on the eve of the main function, landing at the property’s airstrip. Daily flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and Ukunda airstrip in the South Coast land here, thanks to Safarilink Aviation.
The development is also serviced by flights from regional airports such as Malindi and Mombasa (Moi International Airport, Mombasa, is located 44km south of Vipingo Ridge), both about a 90-minute drive from Vipingo. The facility also has a helipad.
Surrounding a members’ clubhouse is a beautiful man-made river. The club and a section of the villas are built in such a way that one can view the Indian Ocean as a relaxing breeze blows on your face. The uniquely designed villas are spacious, with prices ranging from Sh50,000 per night in a four- bedroomed villa to Sh30,000 for a two-bedroomed unit. If you enjoy golfing, this is the place to be.
A number of houses are up for sale, but for those willing to build for themselves, parcels of land are available for sale. Already, 256 houses have been constructed, with the tenant’s list reading like the who-is-who in Kenya’s political and business scene. Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala.
Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka. Supreme Court Judge Njoki Ndung’u…. Not surprisingly, no expense has been spared to ensure everyone living in or visiting the development can do so with complete peace of mind.
There is no doubt that the unveiling of the international 18-hole, 72 par golf-courses at Vipingo Ridge, standing on an expansive, lush green 2,500-acre estate will propel the slumping tourism sector in the North Coast. The property’s chairman, Alister Cavenagh, says only 600 acres of the property have been developed.
The golf course is the first in East Africa to attain international standards, with world specifications being used for all aspects of the course. Henceforth, international championships will be staged here.
A fully automated irrigation system from a natural dam nearby and a large inventory of green-keeping equipment ensure that the playing surfaces will be maintained in pristine conditions.
Wildlife And Kenya’s world famous wildlife is never far away. Around the gold course there is a nature walk, with a remarkable profusion of bird life and wildlife surrounding the greens. Vipingo Ridge offers an endless choice of activities suited for adventure or relaxation that include quad bikes, fishing, tennis courts and cycling. “This golf course will be attracting international players.
Local players and spectators travelling to the North Coast to participate in golf competitions will be promoting domestic tourism,” said Sports Cabinet Secretary, Hassan Wario.
The facility has seven unique venues for conferences, meeting and banqueting, with four indoor venues, which are fully air-conditioned, Wi-Fi enabled, and well equipped with world-class conferencing equipment. The investment has also created job opportunities for locals, contributing the country’s economic growth.
Vipingo Ridge Ltd was incepted in 2005 and the investment value to date is approximately Sh3.3 billion. An additional Sh2.2 billion has been put in by property owners who have built private houses within the development.
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