Ngong racecourse

I remember Ngong Racecourse hosting The Salama Fikira Kenya Derby Race day, which was in celebration of 110 years of horse racing in Kenya. Can you imagine the total number of laps around a track in the course of 110 years? The gates were open at 11:30 making this a great lunch destination for my Sunday afternoon. Apart from the display of pure strength in the horses and the bravery of the jockeys, horse racing also brings along a handful of traditions. My friends and I had a ball during our day at the races. It was striking that it was the most racially-mixed crowd and had the broadest range of ages that we experienced any place that we went. My friends had the preposterous experience of finding themselves homesick in the Irish Bar, but I was taken under the wing of a big family group of jockeys, horse owners, and their friends. Not only is Ngong Race Course known for horse racing and big events, but it is also a beautiful place to watch birds. Having attended different events here, the place can accommodate very many people. The parking is tricky, therefore it is advised to carpool or use a cab. I would advise people to always carry maasai shukas or picnic blankets for sitting. Even better for those having foldable chairs, you are allowed to bring them. If you own a cooler, you can buy their beverages and come enjoy it with friends. It is an open area, thus carrying an umbrella is always advised for both rain and shine. A day at the race course would not be complete without the appropriate food and fashion.

All the great events take place here. From concerts to Concours d’Elegance, Ngong Racecourse is the preferred location when looking to host a huge amount of people. A cab from Nairobi City Center cost KES400 while it costs KES100 to use public transport. The ground have ample parking space and the lawns are always manicured. Despite its good rapport, when it rains, the ground become muddy especially during concert. I have an experience where my pal and I attended this concert and it started raining at like 8pm. By 9pm, the place was impassable. There was not enough shelter for everyone against the rain and mud was everywhere. Then the distance from the grounds to the parking is something else. You end up being soaked before you get to your car. We still had a great time at the concert and guys refused to leave till the rain subsided. Got to love Kenyans.

The home of events in Kenya. Whenever an event is held at ngong racecourse, rest assured that its going be crazy lit and its going to pull huge numbers. A cab from the CBD costs 450/= but there is also the option of using a matatu where you’ll be charged 100/= I have gone for two events at the ground and both of them have been mind blowing. Its sheer size allows for a lot of parking space, a lot of food and beverages vendors, a lot of dancing space and a huge stage. The entrance is well guarded and you are unlikely to enter the place without Identification and tickets. The only short coming of this place is the pick pocketing. Especially if the event is at night and you are in a crowd, always hold your phone. There are many crazy stories about how guys loose their phones there. But all in all, if you ever see an event being held at ngong racecourse, I assure you it’s going to be a blast.

Whenever I buy tickets to a Ngong Racecourse event, it’s a guarantee am gonna have fun. However, it’s also a guarantee am gonna get robbed?. Going to Ngong Racecourse events is like being in an abusive relationship. It’s a place we love to hate, but we always find ourselves attending their events every year. At their events; you either get pickpocketed if you are lucky, or get mugged and beat up if you are unlucky. Sometimes it can happen to you multiple times on the same day, if you are really unlucky. I attended 3 events on this ground last year and in 2 of them I was robbed off my phone. Despite its insecurity, it’s among the best event venues in the city. It’s really easy to get there by both private and public means and the venue is really huge, making it perfect for events that pull in large crowds. The venue also has ample parking, I have never missed parking at the venue even once. The event grounds are always well maintained with manicured grass throughout the venue, it rarely gets muddy, even during rainy days. Due to its huge size, some events on this ground often have multiple stages and activity areas around the ground. If you are planning on attending any event in Ngong Racecourse, make sure you don’t carry any valuables and leave your phone at home. Hope to see you there next year?.