Vipingo Ridge sits a world apart from the rest of Kenya. A manicured estate where zebra pose prettily on pristine green lawns, bougainvillaea painted houses cascade down the ridge, views stretch to the twinkling blue of the Indian Ocean and it feels more rural Italy than the Kenyan Coast.
Vipingo Ridge is an elite golf course estate nestled between sisal fields and palm strewn hillocks. The ridge rises from the coastal road between Mtwpa (Mombasa) and Kilifi, is fronted by the magnificent Kuruwitu Marine Park and backed by the Chodari Hills. Vipingo is arguably the home of golf in Kenya, with a championship golf course reputed to be the best in country. It is perhaps this that held me back from visiting for four years. My husband likes golf but I don’t. What would my rambunctious children and I do in a land of golf buggies and serene walks? But Vipingo Ridge is so much more than that.
Vipingo Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary
Vipingo Ridge is a private estate of 2500 acres. It’s composed of a wildlife sanctuary, golf course, fishing dam, clubhouse, restaurant, various sporting facilities, and huge villas tucked into the hillside. It’s a luxury resort but it doesn’t forget its roots. Wildlife is allowed within the estate and it’s not unusual to spot an eland drinking from your pool or a zebra on the golf course. Vipingo has actively introduced impala, eland, oryx, impala, zebra, giraffe and waterbuck as part of the overall Kenyan experience. Much of the development has been kept wild, with untamed bush covering the hillside and a dam teeming with birdlife. Some of the acreage is given to the sisal plantations which populate much of this part of Kenya. They allow for excellent hiking and biking trails and lend the estate a European feel, the rows of olive green plants feel like the vineyards of France or Italy.
This is an affluent place to live and holiday, the immaculately shorn lawns are abuzz with lawnmowers and gardeners feverently sweep driveways as the sun rises over the Indian Ocean. Nary a leaf is allowed to flutter to the floor before its swept away. The expensive houses of Kenya’s rich dot the hillside, mansions all of them. Part of the pleasure of the estate is taking a walk to look at the homes. The houses don’t conform to a single style, as in similar estates, but are each a masterpiece of architectural design.
Care is evident throughout. I love that animals are a part of everyday life. I love that kids are taken care of with playgrounds, horse riding, bicycles, and a kids club. I love that it feels so safe, it is one of the only places in Kenya where I’d let my kids go out cycling or rollerskating unaccompanied.
I love that indigenous trees and plant life haven’t been sacrificed for the sake of perfect lawns. That I can spot acacia, sausage, African olive, casuarina, croton, fountain and kassod trees from my dining table, as well as lizards and birds of all shapes and sizes.
What Can I Do at Vipingo Ridge?
Vipingo Ridge is primarily about golf, but I’ll go into that later. For non-golfers, there is a private beach, swimming pool, a family-friendly restaurant and bar which has a snooker table, children’s playground, darts, table football, ping-pong. Sporting facilities include a gym, running and biking trails ,with bikes for hire, tennis courts, boule (petanque), horse riding and a dam for fishing. At the Vipingo Ridge Beach Club, you can snorkel, hire kayaks, windsurf, kite surf and charter sailing or fishing trips.
Vipingo Ridge Golf in Kenya
Golf is inescapable and unavoidable. The house we are staying in now sits on the second fairway, golfers sometimes hit balls into our garden and friends visit by driving their golf buggies up to our pool. At night we sneak onto the fairway and look at the stars. I’ve always thought golf courses to be the prettiest places, and Vipingo Ridge golf is no different. Acres of emerald green clipped grass are lined with sausage trees (Kigelia Africana) and date palms displaying their wares and frangipani and bougainvillaea crowns every surface with their shocking pink and orange flowers.
Golf at Vipingo Ridge is on Africa’s only PGA-accredited golf course. The Baobab course was designed by European Tour pro turned course architect, David Jones. A par 72, 18-hole championship course set high on the ridge with dramatic coastal views. It is a fine looking course with streams bubbling under bridges, baobab trees and views down to the ocean.
Vipingo Ridge was selected as Kenya’s top golf course by the World’s Top 100 magazine in 2015 and 2017 and it is the winner of the African Property Awards in the category Best Golf Development Kenya. View the green fees, club hire costs and caddy fees here.
Restaurant, bars and Vipingo Ridge Clubhouse
The Clubhouse at Vipingo Ridge is a bright, breezy space with a downstairs bar/restaurant overlooking the golf course and an amazing roof terrace restaurant that gives you 360 views over the whole estate. The views encompass the Indian Ocean, the sisal plantations and the coconut and mango forests of the Chodari hills. The Clubhouse’s Moorish architecture is mimicked throughout the estate, with huge ornate doorways, balconies, carved stoneworks and flowering plants. The Clubhouse houses the gym, changing rooms, and a TV/lounge area as well as the Pro Shop.
The Sundowner Bar, just opposite the Clubhouse, is a family-centric space. A vast banda with squishy day beds, snooker, ping pong and table football. The Sundowner Bar has a big pool, kids’ playground, and tennis courts adjacent and overlooks a watering hole where the resident herbivores gather. Only open on weekends and Wednesdays, you can still bring the kids to use the facilities even when it is shut.
Both restaurants have the same food: fresh seafood, curries, pizzas, sandwiches and a very reasonably priced kids menu. Delicious cocktails and a decent wine list.
Vipingo Ridge Beach Club & Kuruwitu Marine Park
Vipingo Ridge residents have exclusive access to Vipingo Ridge Beach Club which is located on the incredible Kuruwitu Marine Park. The underwater project at Kuruwitu is worth reading up on. A community group, spearheaded by local fishermen, was created in 2005 to halt fishing in the region after fishing sources dried up. Since then there has been an active project in coral regeneration and beach clean-ups. Fish stocks have thrived and so too have the coral beds, which now allows for some of the best beach access snorkelling in Kenya. A quick whizz around the reef and we saw lobster, pufferfish, surgeonfish, porcupine fish, rays, octopus, clownfish and many more. There is a steep fee for snorkelling on the reef. So high, at 1200 KES per person, that I wonder if it’s priced that way intentionally as a deterrent. Kayaks, SUP’s and snorkelling gear can be hired from Vipingo Ridge Beach Club, as well as guided reef walks and boat tours.
Vipingo Ridge Beach Club is a laid back affair right on the beach. Excellent food and drink are served under the shade of frangipani trees. Feast on fresh, sustainably caught, fish and killer Bloody Marys before spending the afternoon on a sunlounger or swinging day bed. Vipingo Ridge Beach Club is one of the best bars on the Kenyan Coast. Sublime food, smack bang on the beach, world class snorkelling and private access.
Where To Stay at Vipingo Ridge
Most of Vipingo Ridge is given over to private houses, and the estate is still actively marketing plots and properties for sale. There are different options for renting a house in Vipingo Ridge, and you can choose to rent a privately owned house, a Links villa or a Golf villa.
Private Houses at Vipingo Ridge
Vipingo Ridge sells plots of land on which purchasers build their own house. Without exception, the houses are luxurious, state of the art homes. We stayed in Jojo Villa and can’t imagine staying anywhere else. This four-bedroom villa is designed in coastal style with carved stone details, a wrap-around pool, a massive kitchen and liberal use of balconies. Private houses are available for rent through Vipingo Ridge reception or you can have a look at Booking.com which has a couple of the villas.
Links Villas Vipingo Ridge
Links Villas are the smallest (and cheapest) option on the ridge. Single story 2, 3 and 4 bedroom ensuite villas, each with air conditioning. They come with a private pool, their own bar areas and are located near to the clubhouse. Enquire with Vipingo directly.
Luxury Golf Villas at Vipingo Ridge
The modern Swahili themed Luxury Golf Villas have either 2, 3 of 4 ensuite bedrooms, a spacious open plan lounge/dining room and fitted kitchen, verandas, private courtyard and roof terrace with bar/entertainment area. The 3 and 4 bedroom villas have private swimming pools. Enquire with Vipingo directly or through Booking.com
What To Do Near Vipingo Ridge?
Vipingo sits 30 miles north of Mombasa with its old town and the ancient Fort Jesus. Hit Mtwapa for the fabulous Monsoons restaurant or venture further south for pretty but busy Nyali beach. Alternatively, head north to Kilifi, visit Bofa Beach. Try Salty’s restaurants on Bofa or head into the Kilifi Plantation for the eclectic Food Movement restaurant. Head further afield to Watamu for beaches and restaurants galore. For safari you will have to head inland to Tsavo East– approximately two hours drive, or all the way past Mombasa to Shimba Hills near Tiwi.
Getting to Vipingo Ridge
Vipingo Ridge has its own airstrip. Safarilink flies to and from Nairobi twice a day. Quite literally, you can be from central Nairobi to your villa in Vipingo Ridge within an hour.
Alternative airports are Mombasa – 1 hour away and Malindi 2 hours away.
Train from Nairobi via the SGR high-speed train, which takes 6 hours from Nairobi to Mombasa. You will then need to take a taxi to Vipingo Ridge – approximately an hour
Driving from Nairobi to Vipingo Ridge takes 8 hours.
Where to stay on the Kenyan Coast?
Don’t fancy Vipingo but want to stay on the Kenyan coast. Check out:
Book Your Kenya Trip – Insider Tips
Find everything you need for visiting Kenya on my TRAVEL RESOURCES page.
Find everything you need for moving to Kenya in my THE EXPAT GUIDE TO LIVING IN NAIROBI book.
- Kenya Accommodation: Booking.com has the cheapest rates for hotels and guest houses in Kenya.
- Accommodation Reviews: TripAdvisor is my go-to portal for checking reviews on accommodation/restaurants in the local area. I never book without checking TripAdvisor first.
- ESIM: Airalo allows you to access the Internet from virtually any country without paying roaming charges
- Car Rental: Rental Cars is managed by Booking.com – guaranteed reliable.
- Tours and Guides in Kenya : Check out Get Your Guide and Viator – reputable companies that do tours within Kenya and East Africa.
- Travel Insurance: Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I recommend Visitors Coverage, which covers you for East Africa and offers ‘special insurance’ for safaris and adventure sports:
- Visitors Coverage
- Compensair – if you have a cancelled or delayed flight, you may get a refund.
