Vipingo Ridge: Animals roam the fairways of Kenya’s PGA accredited course
The Baobab Course at Vipingo Ridge, in Kenya, is the only PGA-accredited golf course in Africa.Situated on a 2,500-acre mixed-use development, the course doubles up as a sanctuary for a range of the continent’s wildlife.Most of the animals that live at Vipingo Ridge are rescues, and indigenous trees have been planted to tailor to each species’ taste.Encouraged to roam as they please, the animals have grown accustomed to human presence and interaction.There are no predators on the site, so golfers can swing in peace.A sisal plantation until 2004, Vipingo Ridge is now a development with residential and commercial properties, as well as the course and wildlife sanctuary.Monkeys relaxing in the shade.Vipingo Ridge hopes to bring in more endangered species, and ultimately introduce a breeding program.“It’s such a nice thing to be able to go play golf and you’ve got wildlife around you. It’s not false, it’s not a zoo — that’s where they want to be,” says Saleem Haji, director of golf at Vipingo Ridge.
