Great Rift Valley Lodge Golf
High on the Eburru escarpment above Lake Naivasha, the course at Great Rift Valley Lodge is one of Kenya's most dramatic and demanding rounds. Opened in 2000, the par 72 plays at around 7,000 feet, where thin air sends the ball flying and the views down the valley do the rest.
Photo: David Ngigi via Google.
The verdict
Great Rift Valley Lodge earns its place on a Kenyan golf itinerary on setting alone. The resort sits on the Eburru range with the floor of the valley and Lake Naivasha spread out far below, and the golf course was routed to make the most of that drop and those views. Opened in 2000, it quickly built a reputation as one of the toughest championship tracks in the country.
At roughly 6,580 yards the card looks modest, but two things stiffen the test. The first is the altitude, near 7,000 feet, which changes club selection on every shot and rewards golfers who recalibrate quickly. The second is the terrain: holes tumble and climb across the escarpment, so stance and lie are rarely flat and the wind can swirl off the ridge. This is a scenic, adventurous round rather than a manicured resort stroll, and that is exactly why it belongs on a highland and safari golf trip.
Great Rift Valley Lodge at a glance
- Opened
- 2000
- Setting
- Eburru escarpment
- Type
- Highland championship
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,580 yds
- Green fee
- Indicative
Opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Top 100 Golf Courses, Heritage Hotels and leading databases. The 18 hole championship course opened in 2000, plays as a par 72 of about 6,580 yards and sits at roughly 7,000 feet above Lake Naivasha. Green fees vary by season and by whether you stay at the lodge, so treat any quoted figure as indicative for 2026 and always confirm current rates and tee times directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The headline hole is the par 5 17th, reckoned among the longest in Kenya at about 598 meters, or roughly 654 yards. It runs along the escarpment with the valley falling away to one side, a true three shot hole even with the altitude helping, and the view from the tee is the photograph that sells the round.
Elsewhere the interest comes from the land. Tee shots play to fairways that pitch with the slope, approach shots are rarely from a level lie, and the greens are guarded as much by the contour around them as by sand. Because the resort enjoys cool highland air, the turf can be firm and fast running, so judging the bounce on the downhill holes is half the challenge.
Wildlife is part of the experience too, with zebra, buffalo and birdlife often visible from the fairways. The combination of a genuinely testing layout, big scenery and that unmistakable Rift Valley backdrop makes this one of the most memorable rounds in East Africa, even for golfers who arrive for the views and leave talking about the golf.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort course open to lodge guests and visiting golfers; book the round and your tee time through the lodge or a tour operator, ideally as part of an overnight stay |
| Green fee | Rates vary by season and resident status; treat any figure as indicative for 2026 and confirm current pricing when you reserve |
| Handicap | No strict handicap barrier for resort play, though the layout and altitude reward some golfing experience |
| On the day | Caddies and carts are available and worth taking given the terrain; bring layers, as highland mornings and evenings are cool |
| Getting there | On the Eburru escarpment above Lake Naivasha, about two hours northwest of Nairobi by road, a scenic drive down into the Rift Valley |
| Best months | The drier spells of January to March and July to October bring the clearest highland golfing weather |
Access and fee details verified June 2026 from the resort and leading databases; pricing and policy change by season, so always confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The simplest base is the Great Rift Valley Lodge itself, whose rooms and villas look out over the course and the valley and put you a short buggy ride from the first tee. Staying on site turns the golf into an unhurried two day affair and frees up time for the lodge's other draws, from the spa to game drives in the surrounding conservancy.
Down on the valley floor, Lake Naivasha is ringed by lodges and camps that make a natural safari companion to the golf, with boat trips, Crescent Island and Hell's Gate National Park close by. For a fuller week, the course pairs well with the Nairobi clubs, Muthaiga and Karen Country Club, on the way in or out of the highlands.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Great Rift Valley Lodge.
Build a Kenya golf and safari trip
We arrange the round at Great Rift Valley Lodge, pair it with the Nairobi clubs and the coast at Vipingo Ridge, and weave in a Naivasha safari leg and the lodging around it. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Great Rift Valley Lodge questions
Where is the Great Rift Valley Lodge golf course?
The course is part of the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort, set high on the Eburru escarpment above Lake Naivasha in Kenya, about two hours northwest of Nairobi by road.
What is the par and length of the course?
It is a par 72 championship course measuring about 6,580 yards, played at roughly 7,000 feet of altitude, which makes the ball carry farther than the yardage suggests.
What is the signature hole?
The signature hole is the par 5 17th, one of the longest holes in Kenya at about 598 meters, or roughly 654 yards, playing along the escarpment with sweeping views over the valley.
Can visitors play the Great Rift Valley Lodge course?
Yes. The course is part of a resort and welcomes visitors and resort guests. Book through the lodge or a tour operator and confirm the current green fee and tee times directly before you travel.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative access verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.