Coming soon
Train where champions train.
Run, play and watch in the home of distance running.
- Running clubs & marathoners
- Golf groups
- Football & athletics academies
- Spectator travel
Who it's for
Runners, clubs, golfers, football academies and fans.
Ideas for your trip
Iten Altitude Camp (10 days): Train at 2,400 m with local coaches, then race the Nairobi Marathon. Golf & Game (7 days): Championship courses in Nairobi and the coast, with a Mara safari between. Every itinerary is a starting point, adjusted to your dates, group and budget.
Best time of year
October for the Nairobi Marathon; June to September for training camps.
Why Kenya for sports travel
Kenya is the world capital of distance running. Its athletes have won Olympic and world titles at every distance from 800 meters to the marathon, many of them from the Kalenjin highlands of the Rift Valley. Eliud Kipchoge, the first person to run a marathon in under two hours, trains at Kaptagat near Eldoret. Altitude, soft dirt roads and a culture of running together in big groups make the highlands a natural training ground. Kenya also hosts a round of the World Rally Championship, the Safari Rally, back on the calendar since 2021, plus Safari Sevens rugby and courses that welcome visiting golfers.
How a running camp works
Most runners fly from Nairobi to Eldoret in about an hour, then drive less than an hour up to Iten on the edge of the Kerio Valley. Days follow the athletes' rhythm: a group run around six, breakfast, rest, a second easier session in the afternoon, then massage or stretching. Keep the first few days easy while your body adjusts to the altitude, and expect slower paces than at home. Joining a local group run is the highlight. Visitors run at the back, at their own pace, and nobody minds.
Beyond running
Golfers can play Karen and Muthaiga in Nairobi and Vipingo Ridge on the coast, and time a trip around Kenya's national open, a DP World Tour event usually held in Nairobi. The Lewa Safari Marathon runs through a wildlife conservancy each June and raises money for conservation. Trekkers can climb Point Lenana on Mount Kenya, at 4,985 meters. Cyclists ride among zebra in Hell's Gate, and kitesurfers head to Diani. Rally fans can watch the Safari Rally's stages around Naivasha. Clubs and schools can also arrange friendly fixtures with Kenyan teams.
When to go
Training camps run all year. June to September is usually dry and cool in the highlands, with good conditions for long runs. The long rains, usually April and May, turn some dirt roads to mud. The Nairobi Marathon is in October, the Lewa Safari Marathon usually in late June, and the Safari Rally usually early in the year, often in March. Golf is at its best in the dry months of January to March and June to October. Check event dates with us before you book flights, since they move from year to year.
Who it suits and what to pack
Running clubs, college cross-country and track teams, triathletes, serious amateurs chasing a personal best, golf societies, school sports teams and fans who want to see the sport at its source. Pack trail shoes, light layers for cool highland mornings, a rain jacket, sunscreen and electrolytes. Bring the medication and kit you rely on, because specialist supplies can be harder to find upcountry. Make sure your travel insurance covers the sport you plan to do, including trekking at altitude if you add Mount Kenya.
Plan it with us
Kenya Experience is Kenyan-led, with two U.S. companies behind it and Kenyan coaches and guides. Clubs and teams can start on our group booking page, and individuals on Plan a trip. A specialist replies within two business days, and you can pay in full or monthly with no deposit.
What to expect
- Best timeOctober for the Nairobi Marathon; June to September for training camps.
- Who it's forRunning clubs & marathoners and Golf groups.
- Led byGCK Travel & Roundtrip Safaris, with 24-hour support in Kenya.
- Reply timeA specialist answers within two business days with a real itinerary and quote.
Your questions
Can amateur runners train in Iten?
Yes. Camps welcome running clubs and serious amateurs, with Kenyan coaches, physio and recovery.
When is the Nairobi Marathon?
Each October. We arrange entries, hotels near the start and a Mara weekend to celebrate.
Is there good golf in Kenya?
More than forty courses, including Karen, Muthaiga and Vipingo Ridge on the coast.
How high is Iten and how long does it take to adjust?
Iten sits at about 2,400 meters. Most visitors feel the altitude in the first few days, so camps keep the first week easy before building up.
How do I get to Iten from Nairobi?
The quickest way is a domestic flight of about an hour to Eldoret, then a drive of less than an hour to Iten. By road from Nairobi it takes most of a day.
Can visitors run the Lewa Safari Marathon?
Yes. The race is usually held in late June on the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and raises money for conservation and local communities. Places are limited, so register early.
Can you watch the Safari Rally in Kenya?
Yes. The Safari Rally is a round of the World Rally Championship, usually held early in the year around Naivasha, with spectator areas along the stages. We confirm dates and access when you book.
Panga
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