Golf resort to be Built near Maasai Mara

A Narok farmer is set to develop a Sh1.3 billion golf resort next to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, seeking to tap business tourists visiting the world famous wildlife sanctuary.
Olerai Ltd, a company backed by a large-scale Narok farmer, Tarquin Wood, intends to develop an 18-hole golf course, a lodge, cottages and an airstrip.

The resort will occupy more than 1,300 acres of land, currently under wheat, maize and French beans.

Details of the planned project indicate that the target clientele will be high-spending tourists seeking active holidaying rather than the traditional game viewing.

In an interview, Mr Wood said the project will offer tourists an alternative or additional attraction to the Mara.

“There is a big market for an alternative product for tourists; a golf resort will certainly raise the Mara’s profile,” said Mr Wood, adding that a new market niche of golfers is emerging out of the rapidly growing local middle income class.

“Golf tourism is a huge product in several markets like South Africa,” Mr Wood said.

Olerai Golf Resort will also have 80 cottages. Mr Wood said that the golf resort will also help to restore the land around the Mara, which has been degraded by increased human activity that is threatening the wildlife ecosystem.

The project is awaiting approval by State environmental watchdog, Nema.

“We (Olerai) are funding the project,” said Mr Wood when asked about financing of the resort construction, but added that about 30 cottages will be offered for sale.