How Dahlia Safaris is using golf tourism to market Kenya beyond traditional destinations

Speaking during the inaugural Business Networking Golf Day in Nairobi, Dahlia Safaris Founder and Director Elsie Kathurima said golf presents opportunities for networking while also opening up new ways of showcasing Kenya’s tourism products.

“Golf is known as a prestigious sport, but it’s also where many business conversations happen,” she said. “We want those conversations to translate into partnerships and real business opportunities.”

The event, held under the theme Driving Business, Driving Leaders: The Power of Golf in Africa’s Growth, brought together entrepreneurs, government officials, professionals and players from the technology and sports sectors.

Kathurima said the company is also working to challenge the perception that golf is only accessible to a select few.

According to her, the sport provides an environment where professionals can build networks outside formal settings while encouraging more people, including young people, to take up the game.

Beyond promoting golf in Nairobi, Dahlia Safaris is using the sport to market destinations across the country through travel packages that combine golf with wildlife, beach and cultural experiences.

The itineraries include golfing in Nairobi alongside visits to attractions such as the Nairobi National Park, the Giraffe Centre and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Other packages take visitors to courses in the Rift Valley and the Mount Kenya region before extending to safari destinations including the Maasai Mara and Samburu. Coastal options combine golf with beach experiences at Vipingo.

“We want visitors to know that golf isn’t only available in Nairobi. There are beautiful courses across the country that offer different experiences,” Kathurima said.

The networking event was held at Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, where participants also sampled experiences highlighting Kenya’s coffee heritage through coffee blending and tasting sessions.

Kathurima said integrating sports with culture and local experiences can give visitors a broader appreciation of Kenya beyond its golf courses.

As Kenya looks to diversify its tourism offerings, industry players say specialised products such as golf tourism could help attract high-value visitors while encouraging travel to destinations outside the country’s traditional tourism circuit.