Gold rated: How a golf course can be an environmental leader
In 2024 Vipingo Ridge embarked on a journey to understand how all of our conservation activities, and our focus on sustainability, measure up in the standards of Kenya, a country known for leading in conservation and tourism.
Ecotourism Kenya is an organisation that champions responsible tourism practices in Kenya, setting standards within the tourism industry by linking tourism, conservation and communities.
Vipingo Ridge is Gold for tourism, conservation and community engagement
Following our success in the recent mandatory Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) audit, with a gold rating, we have now also been awarded a Gold rating by Ecotourism Kenya, based Ecorating Certification Standards for Accommodation facilities in Natural and Protected areas.
Gold is the top rating possible. Thanks to all the Vipingo Ridge team, our conservation and community partners and all of our stakeholders that support the sustainability journey of the Ridge. This is recognition of how working together for our shared future brings benefits.
Kenya’s first Ecotourism Kenya rated golf course
Ecotourism Kenya is an organisation established to promote sustainable and responsible tourism.
Launched in 2002 in cooperation with tourism industry stakeholders, Ecorating Certification Scheme is Ecotourism Kenya’s flagship program. The Ecorating Certification is a systematic approach to evaluating a tourism accommodation facility on its environmental, economic and socio-cultural performance against a set criteria.
When Vipingo Ridge initially contacted Ecotourism Kenya there were concerns, can a venue with a golf course truly be an eco-champion? The Ecotourism Kenya standards are high, and the initial application by Vipingo Ridge was met with scepticism, was a golf course eligible for certification?
Fortunately, there was a powerful case for Vipingo Ridge to be viewed not only as a golf course, but as a pioneer in conservation.
Land transformation - Vipingo Ridge is set on the site of a former sisal farm. The transition from a monoculture farm to a diverse indigenous habitat, even with the golf course, particularly with the ongoing tree planting and rewilding efforts, was noted as significant land use change for the better.
Registered Wildlife Sanctuary - partnered with Kenya Wildlife Services, our ‘Winning Space for Wildlife’ programme and genetic diversity breeding activities were of note.
Marine conservation programme - Our Land and Sea approach to conservation was particularly of interest to Ecotourism Kenya, through our long-standing community partnerships with the fishing community and the coral restoration project, we are the only conservancy in Kenya operating in the marine setting.
Having established our eligibility, the final work began within the team to make sure that we would do well against the assessment criteria shared. With the opportunity for a ‘self-survey’, the whole team, under the leadership of the Chief Executive Officer Alex Horsey, underwent self-audits and reviews to make sure we were able to show our endeavours to the best of our ability.
Ecotourism Kenya robust audit
The date was set, and on the 3rd through to the 5th of March 2025, Ecotourism Kenya conducted an on-site ecorating assessment at Vipingo Ridge to assess its compliance levels to ecotourism principles and best practices.
The audit was based on the Ecorating Certification Standards for Accommodation facilities in Natural and Protected areas. The standards focused on four thematic criteria namely;
Conservation
Community partnerships and empowerment
Cultural preservation and promotion
Business Practices, such as health and safety, team welfare and fair marketing practices
The methodology used in the assessment included a number of stages, incorporating a number of different elements of the Ridge:
Inspection of key departments such as each of the three restaurants (front and back of house, stores and kitchens), our guest rooms at the Signature Villas, measuring against industry standards.
Our utilities practices, from power at our substations and solar farms, generators to water collection, storage, filtration and monitoring.
All the different departmental workstations, from the Workshop and Greenkeeping, Laundry, Pools and Sports, Security, Stores and the offices.
All team facilities and designated areas, processes and welfare practices.
Interviews with the management team and staff members at random across the different teams during the tour to understand processes and culture.
Meeting of community representatives to understand the role Vipingo Ridge plays in supporting the local communities and preserving cultural heritage.
Verification of conformity to and validation of ordinary tourism business operation practices, including compliance with statutory standards on public health, labor relations, fire safety and health and safety, and environmental management (including energy and waste).
From the in-person visit by the auditors, a detailed report was prepared and reviewed by Standards and Best Practices Technical Committee.
The decision was reached on 29th April 2025 by the Committee, with high scores in all areas of the audit, much to the delight of the Vipingo Ridge teams.
This report includes key achievements and areas for improvement, adding to a culture of ongoing improvement and development as the business continues to grow and affirm its vision as the lifestyle destination celebrating Kenya.
The only Gold Ecotourism Rated Golf Resort in Kenya
Vipingo Ridge was officially awarded the GOLD Eco-rating Certification by Ecotourism Kenya.
This recognition places us among the top-tier eco-accommodation destinations in Kenya, and we are the only golf course in Kenya to hold such a rating.
Our score of 85% means we achieved superior levels of excellence in responsible resource use, environmental conservation and socio-economic investment. Gold Ratings range is between 80–100% the highest level of certification awarded to facilities that demonstrate outstanding best practices.
Our key strengths that were highlighted in the audit:
Robust Environmental and Sustainability Policies and procedures aligned with the UN SDGs
Transformation of the land into a Wildlife Sanctuary and indigenous forest.
Active wildlife monitoring, monthly vet care, and community-led conservation education.
Strong Community Engagement – 67% of staff are from the local communities in Kilifi; we have strong support for schools, women, and youth in various programs; and hands-on CSR projects like local school golf programme and climate-smart kitchen gardens at the Beach Club were highlighted.
Cultural preservation through our themed events and engagement with local artists, our architecture, and our Community Shop at the Beach Club promoting local arts and crafts.
Progressive Business Practices – including our safe waste disposal processes, renewable energy (20% solar) and natural resources management, and rigorous water and energy audits.
This achievement cements Vipingo Ridge as a sustainability leader and reinforces our brand as Kenya’s premier eco-conscious lifestyle destination.
Celebrating a Gold Ecotourism Rating
Achieving a gold rating is great recognition of Vipingo Ridge’s commitment and leadership in tourism, conservation and cultural heritage.
Our vision as the lifestyle destination celebrating Kenya aligns perfectly with the core focus of Ecotourism Kenya as we ‘walk the walk’, creating opportunities for the local community, enriching the environment and creating top level tourism experiences.
This recognition opens doors for eligibility for collaborative projects with Eco-tourism Kenya, access to shared projects with Magical Kenya and the Tourism Board that are available to Gold rated establishments, and we look forward to welcoming future Members and guests aligned with our approach to preserving our shared future.
More Vipingo Ridge recognition:
More Blogs about our Conservation Journey:
