Naivasha, Great Rift Valley
Great Rift Valley Lodge: golf with the valley below you
An 18 hole course at about 7,000 feet above Lake Naivasha, where zebra cross the fairways. About 90 minutes from Nairobi and on the road to the Mara.
- Kenya’s Best Golf Hotel 2024
- 90 minutes from Nairobi
- Leadership retreat from KES 38,000
Title sponsorAlumni Golf Challenge
We are the title sponsor this year.
Golf is part of who we are, so we put our name behind the Alumni Golf Challenge. Want more golf after the day? Tell us when you are free. We book your tee time at Karen, Muthaiga or Vipingo Ridge and sort the transfers and the stay.
Golf and Safari through the Rift Valley
A round in Nairobi, a round at Great Rift Valley Lodge, a boat ride on Lake Naivasha and two nights in the Masai Mara, with one guide the whole way.
- Tee time, caddie and green fee booked for you
- Private car and driver from your hotel or office
- Hotel, flights and safari on the same quote if you want them
- 30 percent holds your dates. The balance is due before you travel
Every golf trip is planned by our team in Nairobi, from the tee time to the last transfer.
Meet the founder
Taii (Tyson) Odero, the trained medic who quit medicine to build this
He left medicine, started Authentic Adventures in 2015 and still plans trips with the team. Press play and keep scrolling. The video moves to the corner so you can read on, and you can close it any time.
Taii Odero on NTV, The Money
Why combine fitness and adventure, on Ebru TV
Taii Odero on Y254What travellers say about us
Reviews from our Google Business Profile. Most are from safari guests, because golf trips are new for us. The planning team is the same.
My partner and I had such an amazing experience travelling to Maasai Mara with Authentic Fitness and Adventures. From the planning to the actual trip, everything was well organized, smooth, and stress-free.
Authentic Fitness and Adventure, especially Taii, truly exceeded my expectations. From the initial planning stages to the final execution of my trip, everything was flawlessly organized and detailed.
I've traveled with this tour company across four different countries, and every trip has been exceptional. The service is professional, well organized, and reliable…
Very professional, punctual and helpful. Made my vacation seamless and fun. I recommend them 100%
Had the best time on this Amboseli safari! We did actual walking safaris and game drives, saw tons of elephants with Kilimanjaro in the background…
Best experience ever, going to mara with Authentic is amazing, 10/10
High above Lake Naivasha
Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort opened its 18 hole course in 2000. It measures 6,580 yards and sits at about 7,000 feet, with wide views over the Great Rift Valley. The 17th is a 654 yard par 5, one of the longest holes in Kenya.
Zebra regularly cross the course. The resort is about a 90 minute drive from Nairobi, which makes it the natural stop between Nairobi and the Masai Mara. The World Golf Awards named it Kenya’s Best Golf Hotel in 2024.
- Opened
- 2000
- Length
- 6,580 yd
- Altitude
- About 7,000 ft
- 17th hole
- 654 yd par 5
What a round at Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort costs
| Round | Visitor rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 18 holes | On request | The resort quotes rates on enquiry. We confirm before you pay. |
| Resort guests | On request | Usually booked as part of a stay |
Checked October 2026.
Price a trip with Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort
Your course is already in. Add golfers, nights, another course or a safari, and send the plan to us when it looks right.
Packages that include Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort
Guide prices. Ask on WhatsApp for your exact price.
Golf and Safari
Nairobi and Rift Valley golf, then two nights in the Masai Mara.
- Round one in Nairobi, round two at Great Rift Valley Lodge
- Boat ride on Lake Naivasha
- Two nights in the Masai Mara with game drives in a pop up roof Land Cruiser
- Park fees, meals on safari and transfers
- One guide with you the whole way
Leadership Golf Retreat
Two days at Great Rift Valley Lodge instead of another boardroom offsite.
- A round of golf plus a team challenge
- Meeting room, meals and one night
- Lake Naivasha boat ride
- Transport from Nairobi
Golf and Stay Weekend
Two rounds and two nights at a golf hotel near Nairobi.
- Two rounds at Windsor or Great Rift Valley Lodge
- Two nights with breakfast and dinner
- Caddie on both rounds
- Private transfers from Nairobi
- Late checkout requested
Guide prices for November 2026 onwards. The final price depends on the club, the day, the hotel and your group size, and we confirm it in writing before you pay. Some clubs ask for a handicap certificate or a member to sign you in. We sort that out for you.
Watch the course before you book
Official videos from the clubs and the tour. They keep playing in the corner while you read on.
The Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort, NaivashaFor companies
Treating your team to golf costs less than you think
A Team Golf Day starts from KES 14,500 per person, with transport, a coaching clinic, lunch and prizes. That is close to what many offices already spend on an end of year dinner, and nobody talks about the dinner in March.
You can also reward a top performer with a golf night away, host your best clients on a Kenya Open course, or take your leaders out of the boardroom for two days in the Rift Valley.
Team Golf Day
Built so first timers enjoy it as much as the low handicappers.
- Coaching clinic with a club professional at the range
- Nine hole team scramble
- Lunch, prizes and a photographer
- Transport from your office and back
- For 8 to 30 staff
Top Performer Reward
A golf night away for your best performer and a guest.
- A round each for two people
- One night at a golf hotel with dinner
- Private transfers both ways
- Printed voucher to hand over at the office
- Dates chosen by the winner
Client Golf Day
Host your clients on a course that has held the Kenya Open.
- Tee bookings and a player list for 16 to 60 golfers
- Scoring, contests and branded prizes
- Dinner and awards evening
- Beginners clinic so non golfers join in
- Photos and a short video for your socials
Leadership Golf Retreat
Two days at Great Rift Valley Lodge instead of another boardroom offsite.
- A round of golf plus a team challenge
- Meeting room, meals and one night
- Lake Naivasha boat ride
- Transport from Nairobi
Around Naivasha
Lakes, gorges and the road to the Mara all start here.
Planning a stay at Great Rift Valley Lodge
Golf above Lake Naivasha. A sample stay, the costs and how it fits a safari.
Getting there
Great Rift Valley Lodge is about 90 minutes from Nairobi by road. Our driver collects you in the morning and you can be on the course after lunch, with views over the valley and Lake Naivasha.
A sample two night stay
Arrive on day one and play nine holes in the late afternoon. Play 18 holes on day two and take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha in the afternoon. Leave for the Masai Mara or Nairobi on day three.
Costs to plan for
Great Rift Valley Lodge quotes green fees on enquiry. Our guide price is about KES 7,000 on weekdays and KES 8,500 at weekends, and we confirm the real rate before you pay. Room rates depend on the season.
Who it suits
Great Rift Valley Lodge suits golfers who want quiet fairways and a view. It also suits couples and families, because the lodge has a pool, walks and easy trips nearby.
The course
The course sits at about 7,000 feet, so the ball flies further. The 17th is a 654 yard par 5, so save some energy. Zebra often cross the fairways.
On the way to the Mara
Great Rift Valley Lodge is a natural first stop on the road to the Masai Mara. Play golf, rest a night, then continue to the Mara for game drives. It all goes on one quote.
Things to do nearby
Hell’s Gate National Park, a boat ride to see hippos on Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island are all close. Non golfers have plenty to do while you play.
Company retreats
Great Rift Valley Lodge works well for a leadership retreat. Meet in the morning, play golf in the afternoon and have dinner with a view. We plan the whole programme.
What to bring
Bring your clubs or hire a set. Pack a collared shirt, golf shoes, a cap, sunscreen and a warm layer, because evenings at this height are cool.
Paying and changing plans
Kenyan residents can pay by M-Pesa or bank transfer, and guests from abroad can pay by card. Thirty percent holds the booking at Great Rift Valley Lodge and the balance is due before you travel.
Caddies and tipping
A caddie helps on a course with this many slopes. The caddie fee goes on your quote. A tip is paid in cash on the day, and we tell you the usual amount.
If it rains
The long rains usually fall from March to May. Mornings are often clear even in the rainy season, so we suggest an early tee time at Great Rift Valley Lodge.
Best time of year
Great Rift Valley Lodge is open all year. The driest months are usually January and February and from July to October. The views over Lake Naivasha are clearest after rain.
Family and non golfers
Partners and children can walk the grounds, swim, ride a bike in Hell’s Gate or take a boat on Lake Naivasha while you play. Add them as non golfers in the calculator.
Beginners and lessons
If you are new to the game, play nine holes in the late afternoon when it is quiet. A caddie can explain the course as you go.
Photography
The course has wide views over the valley and zebra on the fairways. Bring a camera, and keep a respectful distance from the wildlife.
End of year golf days
December is the busiest month for company golf days at Great Rift Valley Lodge. Book early, ideally by October, to get a good tee time for your team. We can add prizes, a photographer, branded caps and a dinner, and we send one invoice for the whole day.
Rewarding staff or clients
A round at Great Rift Valley Lodge with a driver and lunch makes a thoughtful thank you for a top performer or a key client. Our Top Performer Reward and Client Golf Day packages handle the booking, the transport and the bill, so your guest only has to turn up and play.
Planning checklist
Before you message us, have your dates, the number of golfers, handicaps if you know them, where you are staying and whether you want lunch or a car. With that we can check Great Rift Valley Lodge for you, and most people hear back the same day.
Why book through us
We know the clubs, we confirm tee times in writing and one driver stays with you all day. You pay one company for the green fee, the transport and the hotel, and you can reach our team on WhatsApp throughout the trip.
Getting a quote fast
Send your dates, the number of golfers and whether you want one night or two. We check the rooms and tee times at Great Rift Valley Lodge, add the transfer from Nairobi and send one written price, usually the same day.
How to book
Send your dates and the number of guests. We check rooms and tee times at Great Rift Valley Lodge and send a written price. Thirty percent holds the booking.
Great Rift Valley Lodge: what to know before you play
Booking, timing and the details visitors ask about.
Green fees
Great Rift Valley Lodge quotes green fees on enquiry. We confirm the rate for your dates before you pay.
Cool evenings
Great Rift Valley Lodge sits at about 7,000 feet, so evenings are cool. Bring a warm layer.
The 17th
The 17th at Great Rift Valley Lodge is a 654 yard par 5. Save some energy for it.
Wildlife
Zebra cross the fairways at Great Rift Valley Lodge. Give them room and enjoy the photo.
On the way to the Mara
Great Rift Valley Lodge is about 90 minutes from Nairobi, which makes it an easy first stop on the road to the Masai Mara.
Questions golfers ask us
Is Great Rift Valley Lodge still open for golf?
Yes. The resort operates under Heritage and was named Kenya’s Best Golf Hotel at the 2024 World Golf Awards. We confirm availability before booking.
How far is Great Rift Valley Lodge from Nairobi?
About a 90 minute drive, which makes it an easy stop on the way to the Masai Mara.
What is special about the course?
It sits at about 7,000 feet with views over the Rift Valley, zebra cross the fairways and the 17th is a 654 yard par 5.
Is it good for a company retreat?
Yes. Our Leadership Golf Retreat includes golf, a team challenge, a meeting room, meals, one night and a Lake Naivasha boat ride, from KES 38,000 per person sharing.
Play Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort
Send your date and number of golfers. We confirm the tee time, the car and the full price.
Mara group joiningFrom USD 395
3 Day AmboseliFrom USD 850
5 Day Kenya SafariFrom USD 1,180
Uganda gorilla trekFrom USD 1,260