Nairobi has the highest number of Country clubs in East and Central Africa. And in the last decade, more country clubs have been built in the city’s environs. The older country clubs have also seen renovations and expansions. It’s hard and expensive to become a member of a country club, so it’s important to choose the one that fits your lifestyle. Country Club memberships are usually a lifetime affair, and finding someone who has transferred from one to another is rare. So I have made a “Top 10 Country Clubs in Nairobi” list to help you choose the right one for you.
1. Muthaiga Country Club
Located inside one of the most expensive estates in Kenya, this is one of the most exclusive country clubs in the country. The country club has an 18-hole golf course designed by Peter Matkovich. It is the most challenging golf course in the region with the fastest greens. Other than sporting facilities, cocktail bars, gyms and hotel rooms, Muthaiga Country Club has an extensive library with over 20,000 books. Muthaiga Country Club is a Private Member’s Club. Membership is exclusive and access is limited to Members, their guests and Members of Reciprocal Clubs. To be a member one needs a proposer who must be a member of the club for a minimum of three years. One must then pay a total of KSh 660,000 ($5400) to be fully admitted.
2. Karen Country Club
Karen Country Club is located inside Karen, the most expensive estate in Kenya. The country club has an 18-hole golf course maintained to PGA Standards, a swimming pool, tennis, squash, bowling, snooker and a spa among other facilities. The process of joining this exclusive club is rigorous. First, Two members of the club who are of good standing need to propose you. They need to have been club members for a minimum of two years. After that, a rigorous process of scrutiny and balloting must be done. Only after completing these steps are you allowed to join the club. Membership entry fees total KSh586,000 ($4800) and the annual subscription fee is Ksh 61,614 ($504).
3. Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club
Named the best golf hotel in Africa in 2014 by the Golf Travel Awards, this golf club located along Kiambu Rd, is very popular with Gigiri Residents. This country club has amazing facilities that include a world-class 18-hole Golf Course, 5-Star Resort, Swimming pool and Spa among other facilities. This is the most expensive country club to join with a membership entrance fee that totals KSh 990,225 ($8100) and an annual subscription fee of KSh147,922 ($1210).
4. Royal Nairobi Golf Club
Royal Nairobi Golf Club is located off Ngong Road along Mucai Drive. The Country Club boasts an 18-hole golf course, dining venues, gym, swimming pool and spa. To join this club the aspiring member/applicant must be introduced for membership by at least two club members who have been members of the club for a minimum of 3 years and are of good standing. One member can only propose 3 candidates in a calendar year. The membership entrance fee is KSh 568,460 ($4650) and the annual subscription fee is KSh 61,460 ($502).
5. Sigona Golf Club
Sigona Golf Club is located in Kikuyu, along the Nairobi-Naivasha Highway. The golf club boasts an 18-hole, country-style golf course that has some of the most beautiful fairways in Kenya. The picturesque course prides itself on having diverse flora and fauna. This is why it makes it into my Top 10 Country Clubs in Nairobi list.
6. Kenya Railway Golf Club
The Kenya Railway Golf Club is located within the Nairobi Central District. The golf club’s golf course is the only one in the world with a railway line passing through it. This makes me imagine golfers having to hit the ball over passing trains during the heat of a competitive golf match. The entry fee for new members is KSh 120,000 with an annual membership fee of KSh 30,000.
7. Jockey Club of Kenya
The Jockey Club of Kenya is located at the Ngong Racecourse and Golf Park. This beautiful facility boasts a world-class racetrack and golf course. If you are a horse racing enthusiast or like betting on horses this club is perfect for you. This is the only racecourse in East and Central Africa. Other than jockeying and golfing events this facility also holds popular events such as the Concours d’Elegance Kenya. New members pay $1450 to join the club and the annual subscription fee is $450.
8. Parklands Sports Club
Located within Parklands, Nairobi this club offers sports, restaurant and accommodation facilities to its members. The club is popular with residents of Parklands, Westlands and Garden Estate. New members pay KSh505,500 to join the club and the quarterly subscription fee is KSh6000.
9. The Nairobi Gymkhana
Founded in 1927 this clubhouse located along Forest Road boasts the best cricket field in Kenya. Other than cricket facilities, the clubhouse also has a gym, swimming pool, accommodation and dining facilities. The membership entrance fee is KSh210,000 and the annual subscription fee is KSh11,380.
10. Nairobi Club
Founded in 1901, The Nairobi Club is one of the oldest private member’s clubs in Nairobi. The club boasts of a swimming pool, aerobics, cricket, hockey, tennis courts, gymnasium, squash courts, bowling, billiard, library and accommodation facilities. To join the club one needs to be proposed and seconded by full members of the club. They must have been members for at least 3 years. The full membership entrance fee is KSh465,000 and the annual subscription fee is KSh31,500.
This closes my “Top 10 Country Clubs in Nairobi” list. I hope you identified one that fits you and good luck with your membership application process.
I’m a 25-year-old adrenaline junkie from Nairobi. I love travelling, attending music festivals and hiking. You can always find me at K1 Klub House playing pool and enjoying a drink with my friends.
