Vipingo Ridge 10 years on
Published in Nomad magazine, August 2019
In 2005, a sisal plantation sat neglected, sprawled across the rise of an ancient sand dune. Today, after years of stunning transformation, this is now home to Kenya’s premier golf course, some of the most luxurious residences on the coast and a vibrant community of people from all over the world. With high-level security, world-class amenities and panoramic views from the Indian Ocean to the Chodari Hills in the west, like nowhere else in Kenya, Vipingo Ridge is truly a place of unique allure.
As soon as you enter the gates off the Mombasa Road, it is easy to see the attraction; a beautifully manicured championship course, impressive Clubhouse, tennis courts, multiple swimming pools, horse stables, sports bar, air-conditioned gym -there is little that Vipingo Ridge doesn’t offer. As a result, this is a secure and relaxed hub of activity where people come together to live, laugh and play in the company of friends.
With golf at the heart of this luxury development, great care has been taken in building the 18-hole course designed by one of the world’s most imaginative golf course architects, David Jones. After officially opening in 2009, it was soon to win the first of multiple awards and became Africa’s only PGA-accredited course. Up high on the ridge, a game on the Baobab Course is cooler than you might think. Combined with a meandering system of lakes and streams, the swirling breeze may be refreshing but it also adds to the challenge of the game.
Travelling back down the escarpment to the water’s edge, you will find Vipingo Ridge’s Beach Club. Launched in 2016, it soon became a family-favourite along this piece of coastline due to its rare privacy and unspoilt nature -untouched by tourism and development and therefore brimming with nostalgia for a simpler time. Here, mouth-watering plates of fresh seafood are paraded across silvery sands and served up to happy punters during lazy lunches or evenings under the stars. With various activities including snorkelling, boules and beach volleyball, there is plenty on offer to entertain guests of all ages. Get adventurous by exploring the rock pools teeming with sea-life or simply lie back on one of the makuti-shaded swing seats and settle into the unhurried rhythm of these Swahili shores.
With over 300 residents and homeowners, the growing community among an incredible setting makes this one of Kenya’s most sought-after addresses and now that the grounds have reached full maturity, the flamboyant trees are in bloom and an abundance of wildlife has returned to the area, Vipingo Ridge beckons people from across the region to sample a life better lived behind their walls. During the months of September and October, a special low-cost package of two green fees and a shared buggy for KES 5000 is the perfect opportunity to experience this glamourous enclave and play Kenya’s finest course in view of a sparkling sea. Villas on the footprints of the golf course await to pamper guests with the luxury of rooftop plunge pools, unrivalled comfort and an Indian Ocean seascape. Book your stay by quoting “NOMAD10” and enjoy 10% off your accommodation during September 2019.
Amid the spoils of the Kenyan coast, each day spent here will be yours to craft and enjoy. Whether you want to take on the challenge of the PGA Baobab Course or set sail on a Swahili dhow, indulge in fine dining or a game of tennis with the kids, you are invited to come for a day and stay for a lifetime.