Magical Kenya Golf Championship Open in Nairobi is another win for East Africa. Every. February, Kenya magestically and confidently steps onto the global stage as the world’s attention turns to Nairobi for one of Africa’s most prestigious Golf sporting events, the Magical Kenya Open. More than a tournament, this DP World Tour event is a statement of excellence, culture and place. It is where elite golf meets untamed landscapes, refined hospitality, and journeys that stretch far beyond the fairways.
From the 19th to 21st February, the iconic Karen Country Club hosts this major world golf tournament, welcoming top-ranked professionals, international media, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts from across the globe. Yet what makes the Magical Kenya Open truly special is not only the competition itself, but what it represents, an invitation to explore Kenya and the wider East African region in a way few travelers ever do. For many visitors, the tournament becomes the beginning of a deeper African story.
A Legacy That Has Shaped African Golf
The Magical Kenya Open is one of Africa’s top ranked PGA Tour longest-running golf tournaments, with a history that dates back to 1967, when the first Kenya Open was played and won by Maurice Bembridge. Over the decades, the tournament has grown alongside Kenya’s sporting ambition and international profile.
In 1991, the event became part of the Safari Tour, strengthening its position within African golf. A defining moment came in 2019, when it was elevated to a European Tour co-sanctioned event, marking Kenya’s arrival among the world’s elite golf destinations.
Since 2021, the tournament has continued as part of the DP World Tour, firmly securing its place on the global calendar. Today, with over 50 years of history, the Magical Kenya Open stands as one of Africa’s premier golf events, admired for its competitive quality, heritage, and setting.
Kenya’s Premier Event on the DP World Tour
As a full DP World Tour tournament, the Magical Kenya Open attracts a world-class field of 144 professional golfers from across continents. Players compete for critical ranking points and a record prize fund of USD 2.7 million, the largest in the tournament’s history.
This level of competition places Kenya among the world’s serious golf destinations. It also reinforces the country’s growing reputation as Africa’s golf capital, where championship courses meet global standards and unforgettable scenery.
The tournament’s international broadcast reaches millions of viewers worldwide, shining a spotlight not only on the competition, but on east Africa’s landscapes, people and tourism potential.
Read more: Golf Safaris – A Transformative Power To Uganda’s Conservation Efforts
Karen Country Club
The Karen Country Club, host of the 2026 Magical Kenya Open, is one of Kenya’s most distinguished golf venues. Set at the foot of the Ngong Hills, the course offers a refined blend of beauty and challenge, demanding accuracy, strategy, and mental discipline from even the most experienced players.
Its proximity to Nairobi allows visitors to enjoy championship golf while remaining close to cultural landmarks, conservation centres, and urban experiences. The course’s mature trees, rolling fairways, and immaculate greens provide a fitting stage for one of Africa’s most important tournaments.
Golf at Its Highest Level
Returning to the field is Jacques Kruyswijk of South Africa, the 2025 champion, who claimed victory with an impressive score of 17-under par (271). His return adds depth and anticipation to the tournament, as new challengers and seasoned professionals vie for the title.
Each edition of the Magical Kenya Golf Open delivers moments of tension, brilliance and qualities that mirror the spirit of the destination itself.
A Showcase of Magical Kenya
The Magical Kenya Open is also a powerful celebration of Kenya as a travel destination. During the tournament week, Nairobi becomes a hub of global interaction as visitors explore the city’s vibrant culture, art spaces, culinary scene, and nearby natural attractions.
Golf lovers, corporate leaders, and international media arrive focused on the leaderboard but quickly discover that Kenya offers far more than a sporting spectacle. The tournament has become a catalyst for extended travel, encouraging visitors to explore the country’s wildlife, landscapes, and heritage.
Iconic Experiences Around Nairobi
Just beyond the fairways, Nairobi offers rare experiences found nowhere else in the world.
Nairobi National Park, the only national park within a capital city, allows visitors to encounter lions, rhinos, giraffes, and buffalo against a backdrop of city skyscrapers, a striking contrast that defines Kenya’s uniqueness.
Nearby, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust offers an intimate look into elephant conservation, while the Giraffe Centre provides close encounters with endangered Rothschild giraffes. The Karen Blixen Museum, located near the tournament venue, adds cultural depth and historical context to the area.
Kenya Beyond the City
For many visitors, extending their stay means venturing into Kenya’s legendary wilderness. A three-day safari to the Maasai Mara National Reserve remains the most popular post-tournament experience, offering exceptional wildlife viewing across vast open plains.
Amboseli National Park, known for its large elephant herds and iconic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, offers another unforgettable safari option. These journeys allow visitors to transition seamlessly from championship golf to raw, untamed nature.
Beyond Kenya: Ultimate Gorilla Trekking Experience in Uganda And Rwanda
For travelers seeking the rarest wildlife experiences on earth, Kenya also serves as a gateway to the wider East African region particularly Uganda and Rwanda, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Mountain Gorilla trekking is one of the rarest wildlife encounters available anywhere in the world, possible in only a handful of locations globally. For visitors already in East Africa for the Magical Kenya Open, the opportunity to combine championship golf with Mountain Gorilla trekking represents an extraordinary privilege and a lifetime opportunity.
Uganda – The Pearl Of Africa
A short flight journey from Nairobi brings visitors to Entebbe in Uganda and to Bwindi impenetrable national park, where over half of the world’s remaining Mountain Gorillas live within the ancient rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is deeply immersive. Guided by expert trackers, travelers hike through dense forest before encountering a Gorilla family in their natural habitat. The experience is quiet, emotional, and profoundly human. For one precious hour, visitors observe these gentle giants up close and personal, a moment that often becomes the defining highlight of an African journey. There is actually no mistaking the bond that exists between man and a mountain Gorilla.
Rwanda
Rwanda offers a refined and conservation-focused approach to Gorilla tourism. In Volcanoes National Park, dramatic volcanic landscapes and rolling hills frame one of the world’s most exclusive wildlife experiences.
Rwanda’s carefully managed trekking system ensures minimal impact on the Gorillas while delivering a high-quality visitor experience. Combined with the country’s modern cities, strong conservation ethic and powerful cultural narrative, Rwanda presents a compelling extension for travelers seeking depth and meaning.
One Region, Endless Possibilities
The Magical Kenya Open highlights more than a normal Golf tournament. It showcases East Africa as a connected, world-class travel region where sport, conservation, culture, and adventure coexist.
A single journey can include:
- Elite Golf in Nairobi
- Wildlife safaris in Kenya’s iconic parks
- Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda
- Coastal relaxation along the Indian Ocean (Mombasa, Zanzibar, Lamu)
- Cultural exploration in vibrant cities and rural landscapes
This diversity is what sets East Africa apart.
Read more: Play Golf And Trek Mountain Gorillas in Uganda And Rwanda
Where Golf Becomes The Beginning of The Journey
The Magical Kenya Open is not simply a major world golf tournament. It is a gateway to East Africa, and to experiences that leave lasting impressions. For those who arrive for Golf, the real magic often unfolds after the final round, when the fairways give way to wild landscapes, ancient forests, and encounters that redefine travel. In Kenya, golf does not end at the 18th hole. It opens the door to exceptional adventures.
Pre & Post Magical Kenya Open Exclusive Wildlife, Gorilla Trekking and Golfing Itineraries that might Interest You
Well Curated Exclusive, Gorilla Trekking, wildlife safari Trips and playing rounds of Golf In Kenya and Uganda while staying at Top Notch safari lodges
7 Days Golf, Chimps & Gorillas
Trip Highlights
2 Rounds of Golf, Trek Chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, Trek Mountain Gorillas In Bwindi Forest
5 Days Golf & Gorillas Luxury Safari
Trip Highlights
2 Rounds of Golf, Enjoy a scenic flight, and Trek Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable National Park – Uganda
12 Days Golf, Classic & Traditional Safari
Trip Highlights
3 Rounds Of Golf, Visit Murchison Falls National Park, Trek Chimpanzees, Enjoy wildlife Boat cruises, Trek Mountain Gorillas and enjoy Scenic domestic flights
5 Days Golf & Masai Mara
2 Rounds of Golf, Visit Masai Mara and Stay in beautiful Safari Lodges
8 Days Masai Mara , Golf & Diani Beach Safari
Visit Masai Mara National Reserve, Stay at Diani Beach & Play 2 Rounds of Golf.
10 Days Masai Mara, Mountain Gorillas & Golf Safari
Visit Masai Mara in Kenya, Trek Mountain Gorillas in Uganda and Play 2 Rounds of Golf at iconic Courses.