Tourism Update selects some of the best golf courses beyond the borders of South Africa.
Leopard Rock Golf Resort, Mutare, Zimbabwe
The Leopard Rock Hotel and Estate is 30 kilometres south-east of Mutare, Zimbabwe, in the Bvumba Mountains. Named one of Africa’s top-10 golf courses by CNN Travel, Leopard Rock offers a challenging 18-hole parklands course designed by Peter Matkovich. Lake Chikamba can be viewed from the course. Facilities include a clubhouse bar and restaurant, a pro shop and a putting and chipping green. Leopard Rock has 58 suites and bedrooms, three restaurants, a convivial bar and lounge, a casino and a venue for small or medium-sized conferences.
Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa, Uganda
A nine-hole golf course opened late last year at this Ugandan resort, 30km from Entebbe International Airport. Encircled by water and spanned by bridges, the course has been rated by professionals as fast moving and challenging. The Italian-inspired clubhouse has a fully stocked golf pro shop, with a restaurant that offers all-day dining in a semi-formal setting with indoor and outdoor seating. The resort has 124 rooms, including suites, a selection of dining options and the Maisha Health Club and Spa. Boat cruises with cocktails, fishing and tours (such as the Ngamba Island Tour to Uganda’s famous chimpanzee sanctuary) can be arranged.
Windhoek Golf & Country Club, Namibia
The Windhoek Country Club Resort offers luxury accommodation and an 18-hole golf course, set on 72 hectares of natural Namibian bushveld. The hotel has 152 rooms, including six luxury suites and one presidential suite. Facilities include a casino, pool and fitness centre as well as conference facilities for up to 800 delegates.
Elephant Hills Resort and Golf Course, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Elephant Hills Golf Course is built on Kalahari sand, 70m from the Zambezi River. A natural game path has been established between the course’s electrified perimeter fence and the river to allow game access to natural water. A whole range of buck, monkey and smaller animals such as genets, hares and reptiles, are resident on the course. The water hazards have crocodiles that come and go through the fence. During the dry season elephant can be observed several times a week. Victoria Falls is one of Africa’s adventure playgrounds and golf can be coupled with all types of adrenalin-pumping activities from helicopter flips to white-water rafting and bungee jumping.
Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, Nairobi, Kenya
The Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club is 15 minutes’ drive from Nairobi's central business district and 45 minutes from the main airport. The 18-hole course was voted the best golf course in Kenya. The course threads its way through coffee farms and indigenous forests with high and low terrain. It is more than a mile above sea level and boasts abundant birdlife. The hotel offers 130 deluxe rooms comprising twins, doubles, studio suites and cottages in Victorian-style buildings. Facilities include a business centre, jogging track, tennis and squash courts as well as a heated pool.
