Tag: golf

Golf in Uganda: Five Courses to Try!

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Uganda might not strike you as an obvious place to enjoy a golf vacation, but in reality, there are some awesome courses to try in the Pearl of Africa. 

I consider myself a recreational golfer (handicap 20ish!), and I typically enjoy my experience on the nineteenth hole more than my time spent hacking around the golf course! 

Still, I’ve played golf at several courses in Uganda, and I’ve found them all to be extremely enjoyable, albeit for completely different reasons. 

I’m also a member at one of Uganda’s golf courses (more on this shortly), so I have a good perspective from which to provide you with a rundown of some of the best tracks in the country.

So, if you’re planning an upcoming vacation in Uganda, here are the best golf courses in Uganda that you should consider adding to your itinerary.

Garuga Golf Club, Kihihi

Par 71, 7189 yards

I’m a proud member of Garuga Golf Club, easily one of Uganda’s most intriguing golf courses!

I have been a member of Garuga Golf Club in Kihihi since the start of 2021, and there are so many things I like about the course. First and foremost, it is only a few kilometers from Queen Elizabeth National Park, and it truly provides the sensation of playing golf in the wild. 

While this also means that the course isn’t pristinely manicured, the track provides you with the perfect opportunity to play golf off the beaten track. The fact that Garuga Golf Club is in the extreme southwest of Uganda also means that it’s not particularly busy, and you will have no problem with just turning up and playing.

My main complaint about the course is that I feel it’s unnecessarily long, but you can just play nine holes if walking in the Ugandan sun for several hours is a little much for you! 

If you’re going to Queen Elizabeth NP or Bwindi for a safari or gorilla trek, you will pass Garuga Golf Course on the way to your accommodation, as the course is located at Savannah Hotel in Kihihi. 

Also, many tourists fly into Kihihi’s airstrip, which runs alongside the golf course and is perfectly positioned for tourists who are keen to enjoy a game of golf before hopping on a flight back to Entebbe. 

Although I’m biased, Garuga Golf Club is my favorite course in the country, and I would love to welcome you as my guest if you fancy a game on your upcoming vacation in Uganda!

Find out more information about Garuga Golf Club Kihihi here.

Uganda Golf Club, Kitante (Kampala)

Par 72, 7,200 yards

The most prestigious course in Uganda is undoubtedly Uganda Golf Club, situated in the Kitante area of Kampala. This luscious and well-manicured course provides an incredible test in the heart of Kampala city, as well as a bar and restaurant that attracts members and guests alike. 

The Ugandan Open is often held at Uganda Golf Club, and if you’re seeking the truest test of golf in the country, then this is the place for you. 

Although primarily a member’s course, you can arrange a game if you’re visiting Uganda on vacation by contacting the pro shop directly, either via email or over the phone. Just explain that you’re on vacation in Uganda, and they will hook you up with a tee time to suit your itinerary.

The dress code is important here, so make sure you have the right gear with you, or you may not be permitted to play the course. 

Find out more information about Uganda Golf Club, Kitante, here.

Lake Victoria Serena Golf Club, Kampala

Par 72, 7,262 yards

Designed by Golf Plan Inc USA, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Club is arguably the best golf course in Uganda and offers an incredible test of golf in serene surroundings. 

When I played here with my Dad, I found the course to be in extremely good condition, and the views across Lake Victoria added to the experience, even if I did lose a hatful of balls in the drink! 

Perhaps the standout feature of Lake Victoria Serena is the 18th-hole island green that resembles the TPC at Sawgrass. Although a simple wedge over the water, I put two in the water before landing a third just a few inches from the hole!

The hotel that accompanies the course is superb, and there are golf carts available here, too. Overall, Lake Victoria Serena is an international-standard golf course and is an awesome place to enjoy golf in the Pearl of Africa. 

Find out more information about Lake Victoria Serena Golf Club here.

Entebbe Golf Club, Entebbe

Par 71, 6,784 yards

Photo Credit: Entebbe Golf Club

Entebbe Golf Club is the oldest course in East Africa and is beautifully shaped and excellently manicured, making it an enviable place to enjoy a round of golf. 

At 6,784 yards, it’s considerably shorter than most of the other courses in Uganda, and it is perfectly located close to Entebbe International Airport for those who have some hours to kill before jumping on a flight back home.

Like Uganda Golf Club, Entebbe is primarily a member’s course, but you can reach out to the pro shop and enquire about playing as a visitor, as they welcome guest players. 

Thanks to its enviable location and the fact that it’s usually quieter than Uganda Golf Club in Kitante, Entebbe Golf Club would be my recommendation if you have some time to kill in and around Entebbe before returning home. 

Find out more information about Entebbe Golf Club here.

Jinja Golf Club, Jinja

Par 72, 5,926 yards

Also known as the golf course at the source of the Nile, Jinja Golf Club is a wonderful place to play golf due to its relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff and members. 

While there are only nine holes at Jinja Golf Club, you can play the track twice if you wish to enjoy a full round, or you can simply enjoy the nine holes available the day before or after enjoying white water rafting on the Nile!

Like Garuga Golf Club in Kihihi, you don’t have to book in advance at Jinja, and you can simply turn up and request a tee time as a guest player. 

So, if you’re in Jinja to see the source of the River Nile, there’s no reason not to head to the golf course for nine holes in this gorgeous part of the country!

Find out more information about Jinja Golf Club here.

The verdict: The best golf courses in Uganda

So, there you have it – the five best golf courses in Uganda! You can arrange a game of golf in the Pearl of Africa by contacting the pro shop of each course directly via the links provided throughout. 

If you have any questions about any of the courses or would like any more information about any of the tracks that I’ve introduced above, drop a comment below, and I’ll get back to you!