Photo of Ivy, author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

View citations →

Start Here: Explore Africa’s Living Knowledge

Learn Africa through science, stories, recipes, proverbs, history, and geography — interconnected, just as life is.

Top Five Golf Courses in Kenya

Part of our African Geography Hub — Explore Africa's landscapes and environment.

Explore More Content

📁 African facts 📁 Geography 📁 Sports and Games

Popular in This Category

Kenya’s Golf Legacy: From Royal Nairobi to the Great Rift Valley

Kenya has 42 golf courses stretching from the Indian Ocean coast to the Great Rift Valley and central highlands. The country’s first golf course, Nairobi Golf Club, now known as the Royal Nairobi Golf Club, opened in 1906, introducing a sport that would grow into a national passion.

Kenya’s first golf course, Royal Nairobi Golf Club, opened in 1906

Early History of Golf in Kenya

After Royal Nairobi opened, two additional clubs followed in 1910: the Meru Club and the Nyeri Club. The Mombasa Golf Club was established soon after in 1911. By the early 20th century, golf had become a staple of Kenya’s colonial and cultural landscape.

Today, Kenya’s golf scene is second only to South Africa on the continent, boasting 42 courses. At least eight have hosted major international tournaments. The best times to enjoy golfing in Kenya are during the rainy seasons—March to early June and October to early December—when landscapes are green and vibrant.

Kenya has 42 golf courses, from the coast to the Great Rift Valley

Kenya has 42 golf courses across the country

Golf Tournaments and Championships

The prestigious Africa Zone 6 Amateur Golf Team Championship rotates among African nations. In 2015, the 20th edition was hosted by Uganda, featuring teams from Kenya, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa—the defending champions.

The Kenya Open Golf Championship began in 1967, inaugurated by Australian golfer Peter Thomson, the only player to win a modern major three times consecutively (1954–1956). The event has since become a highlight on the global golfing calendar.

Top Five Golf Courses in Kenya

  1. Vipingo Ridge – An 18-hole, par 72 Baobab course located an hour north of Mombasa. This 2,500-acre private destination features a Clubhouse, Beach Club, and Private Airstrip.
  2. Sigona Golf Club – Established in 1938 near Kikuyu along the Nairobi-Naivasha highway. Its toughest hole is number seven, making it a challenge for golfers.
  3. Muthaiga Golf Club – Opened in 1920, Muthaiga hosted the first Kenya Open in 1967. Redesigned in 2004 by South African Peter Matkovich, it remains a premier championship course.
  4. Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club – Located off Kiambu Road in Nairobi, Windsor combines Victorian-style architecture with an 18-hole championship course. Velvet monkeys and kite birds add a wild twist to the golfing experience.
  5. Nyali Golf & Country Club – Designed in 1958 by Monty Lowry, this Mombasa-based 18-hole, par 71 course challenges golfers with short roughs and doglegs.

Explore More African Sports and Culture

Photos courtesy of Kenya Golf Guide

The African Gourmet explores how African food, history, and science intertwine. Here, a plant is a healer, a story is a map, and the kitchen is a laboratory. I’m Ivy — a writer raised by historians, now sharing Africa’s wisdom from the U.S. through cookbooks, cultural research, and storytelling. If you’re curious about where flavor meets memory, you belong here.

Recipes Explain Politics

🍚

🍚 When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations. The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe."

🍲 The Deeper Recipe:

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

Korea & Africa: Top Reads

Africa × World: Editor’s Picks

Cross-continental food, science, history, and cultural exchanges.

African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.