How does a Vipingo holiday look like?

It is very rare for me to nap off in the middle of the day. For the past ten years, the concept of napping has been something of a pipedream. If it is not the daily grind of life’s routine keeping me on my feet - the persistent nudge to clear my inbox, finish that pending chore, or run errands - it is my children demanding my immediate and full attention.

Today, however, I find myself relaxing under palm trees by a pool on a hot afternoon sun. My children have gone off for an hour’s pony ride, my husband is playing golf, and I am soaking up a luxurious combination of sunshine, peace and tranquillity. 

Lounging on a sunbed on this beautiful estate high above the Indian Ocean, I have never felt this relaxed in a long time. I am on Cloud Nine!

Time for a change.

My family had never considered Vipingo Ridge as a holiday destination until then.  In the past, we’d followed the droves of holidaymakers to the coast. It was time for a change. Some friends recommended this destination after they’d spent their Christmas holidays there in 2018 and raved about it.

Previously I had only heard of Vipingo through rumours that described the Ridge as an exclusive club – the home of HNWIs and a playground for Kenya’s elite. 

I was intrigued about the idea of family hikes through a mango forest, cycling along nature trails, a dhow trip and seafood dinner on the beach. After a digital trip through their website, I decided to book in for six nights before the children resumed school for second term.

Whilst we had been presented with the affordable option to take the SGR and be picked at Mariakani, we decided to fly in with Safarilink from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. We conveniently landed at the airstrip right in the middle of the expansive estate. On arrival, we were met by Samuel, a jolly driver who stacked our bags into the back of a minivan.

As we drove through the estate, we passed home upon home that would not look out of place on MTV’s Cribs – each with its own character and uninterrupted view. 

The guards doing patrols with dogs gave us a resolute salute.

It is clear that security is taken very seriously. We marvel at VIP treatment. We catch glimpses of the renowned golf course and workers tending the landscape. 

Just as security is priority, maintenance of the grounds is seemingly as important, and the proof is in the perfectly manicured gardens and fairways. 

My husband, who is very passionate about golf proudly informs me that this course is the only PGA accredited course in Africa. FYI Vipingo Ridge hosted the inaugural Ladies European Tour event in East Africa. Up to 90 professional lady golfers came here in December 2019 to compete in a “Tournament of Champions.”

Impressive!

The reception is in Vipingo Ridge's Clubhouse, a Moorish-inspired building with an impressive atrium and views across the golf course to the Indian Ocean beyond. Players migrate in and out, exchanging familiar greetings continually.

I overhear a conversation between two residents excitedly discussing their time slots for an upcoming Jaguar and Land Rover event. It is late in the afternoon on a Saturday and rounds of golf are coming to an end, drinks are being ordered and weekends enjoyed so the mood is jovial and infectious too.

Back in the van, we drive to our accommodation - a line of terraced villas designed to match the Clubhouse. We realise we could’ve walked, a short amble past the practice greens, but better to get settled in first. 

Through heavy Lamu doors, our villa has two spacious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a large living room and open plan kitchen. The décor is modern and fresh with various statement pieces placed throughout and coastal art on the walls. 

The kids eye up the flat-screen TV in the corner with anticipation. Beyond the living room, a wide veranda opens out on to the gardens and a large shared pool down a grassy slope. The glint of the ocean can be seen in the distance, reminding us of where we are. The pièce de resistance is the roof terrace complete with plunge pool and even bigger views. 

We were told at reception that not all villas have a rooftop pool so we have definitely lucked out. There is something incredibly indulgent about this added extra hidden away - so secretive, so glamourous. 

A quick evening dip before showers and getting changed and we head back to the Clubhouse for dinner.

Six days at Vipingo Ridge might seem a lot but they soon disappear in a kaleidoscope of activity, meals and seaside living. Each day we discover something new - from learning Taekwondo to exploring the Kuruwitu Marine Conservancy. 

The Sundowner was our regular spot where my husband and I could take time out while the kids played table tennis, clambered on the jungle gym, swam and made their way through the pizza menu. 

When the sun dipped and cooled, we’d have a family game of doubles tennis on electric blue courts. A couple of days were spent down at the Beach Club, setting up camp on kanga cushions splayed over swing seats. 

The beach at Vipingo is like going back in time to the Kenyan coast of my childhood. No overbearing beachfront hotels, fewer people, the local community coming down to play and swim but not to hassle, no one selling us anything. 

It is pure uninterrupted bliss. 

The seafood we had for lunch was always sublime -served on wooden boards, packed with juicy flavour and fresher than the breeze. Full of the simplest pleasures, this is a Beach Club stripped back and enjoyed. We hung out, we snorkelled and we played boules in the sand.

As we near the end of our stay, I am already nostalgic for an unforgettable holiday spent among this private community - we could not have felt more welcome. 

My husband managed to squeeze in three rounds of golf on what he deemed to be the best course in the country (an impressive accolade considering how much he travels for golf), my children have run, swum, dived, fished, played, biked, hiked, explored and more. They even had a go at golf themselves. 

We didn’t turn the TV on once. 

As for me, I’ve relished the chance to splurge on various treatments at the spa located in the Links - an enclosed residential area on the Ridge. Upon request, I even took a look around the show home, a beautiful space on the footprints of the Baobab Course, getting carried away in my imaginings of what life would be like spent here. One day…

During our stay at Vipingo Ridge, we found out that anyone can come for the day and use the facilities - guests simply sign in at the gate and pay Sh1, 000 which is fully redeemable against all food and drink on site. 

What an enviable resource for people living in the area?  It must make planning weekends with the kids a joy. 

For us, living further afield, we are boarding our flight soon so we must settle on taking home our Vipingo memories and making the promise to be back very soon.