Kenya
The incredible diversity of landscapes, cultures, wildlife and activities mean endless opportunities for visitors to Kenya. Kenya offers a diverse range of environments all within relatively close proximity to one another, and has an excellent domestic travel infrastructure. Kenya’s rich diversity of wildlife means that no two experiences in the wild are ever the same. Visitors to Kenya can experience and see completely different things. In a single trip to Kenya, you can visit tropical forests, beautiful beaches, and deserts, climb mountains and explore the wild. In Kenya, it is possible to plan a safari that blends adventure and relaxation, luxury and natural simplicity, social experiences and solitude.
In Kenya, you can experience a different safari every day. Kenya is Africa’s most popular safari destination and it’s capital Nairobi is East Africa’s economic hub. Kenya has a decent tourist infrastructure and lots of resorts along its coastline. It’s a testament to the country’s many natural attractions that tourists continue to visit despite being under the official Travel Warning list in several countries including the US.
Quick Facts about Kenya
- Location: Kenya is located in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania, see map.
- Area: 582,650 sq km, (slightly more than twice the size of Nevada or similar in size to France).
- Capital City: Nairobi
- Population: Around 32 million people live in Kenya Language: English (official), Kiswahili (official), as well as numerous indigenous languages.
- Religion: Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, indigenous beliefs 10%, Muslim 10%, other 2%. A large majority of Kenyans are Christian, but estimates for the percentage of the population that adheres to Islam or indigenous beliefs vary widely.
- Climate: It’s generally sunny, dry and not too hot for most of the year in Kenya despite being situated on the equator. The main rainy seasons are from March to May and November to December but the amount of rainfall varies year to year.
- When to Go: January – March, and July – October for safaris and beaches, February and August to climb Mount Kenya. More about “Best time to visit Kenya”
- Currency: Kenyan Shilling, click here for a currency converter.
CULTURE & PEOPLE
Kenya is home to breathtaking landscapes, interesting cultures, beautiful national parks and wildlife reservations. It is an ideal place to experience the fragrant smells of street food and colorful corner markets depicting it’s busy and bustling energy. With an abundance of successful conservation efforts, Kenya is known for preserving and protecting its stunning creatures and landscapes. Kenyan culture is very communal in nature. Kenyans share everything from clothes, food, and even space! At home, personal items are often shared with every member of the family. In most families, they don’t understand the concept of private time and it’s uncommon to stay alone in one’s room for long periods of time except to sleep.
Kenya is a multilingual country. Swahili is the national language, while the official language is English
KENYAN CULTURE IS VERY COMMUNAL IN NATURE. KENYANS SHARE EVERYTHING FROM CLOTHES, FOOD, AND EVEN SPACE
FOOD
Food in Kenya is rich in different types of breads, fried potatoes, eggs, rice, meat, fish, and vegetables. Meals are a family time, so Kenyan families often sit down together talk about their day during meals. Most people eat with their right hand.
There is no singular dish that represents all of Kenya’s wide cuisine. Different communities have their own native foods. Food staples such as maize and other cereals depend on the region, including millet and sorghum eaten with various meats and vegetables. The foods that are universally eaten in Kenya are ugali (maize), sukuma wiki (vegetables), and nyama choma (roasted beef).
Grains are a food staple for groups that grow grains such as Kikuyu, Embu, Meru, and Kisii. Other communities such as the Luo and the Coastal communities have fish and seafood as their staple food. In semi-arid areas like Turkana, foods made from sorghum are more common staple foods. Towards the city, food eaten by working families vary according to preference and ethnicity. Rice and stew are more common with working families, and other dishes like chapati (parantha) and chicken stew.
WHY VISIT KENYA?
In Kenya, you can experience a different safari every day. Kenya is Africa’s most popular safari destination
POPULAR DESTINATIONS IN KENYA
Masai Mara Game Reserve: The Masai Mara Reserve is the most popular wildlife park in Kenya. From July – October you can witness the incredible migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra. The Maasai tribesman also offers cultural tours which really add to the experience.
Mount Kenya: Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest peak and like Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, you don’t need special training to reach Point Lenana, one of its highest peaks. The area is home to rare species of animals as well as spectacular lakes, mineral springs, and forests. Interestingly, Kenya’s modern name is inspired by this mountain.
Lamu: Lamu is one of Kenya’s oldest towns, settled by the Swahili about 700 years ago. More recently discovered by backpackers, Lamu is a great place to unwind and wash off the dirt and grime accumulated from some hard traveling. No matatus or mini-buses here, just donkeys and the sound of the ocean waves.
TRAVELLING TO KENYA
Many international airlines fly into both Nairobi and Mombasa direct from Europe and the Middle East. Long-distance buses ply routes between Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, more about Getting to Kenya. Most nationalities entering Kenya need a tourist visa but they can usually be obtained at the airports, check with the Kenyan Embassy before you go.
What to wear in Kenya – dress code and etiquette
If you are going to Kenya for a vacation, holiday, safari or leisure, bring light-to-moderate casual wear such as cargo pants, jeans, cotton shirts and the like. The dress code in Kenyan culture is conservative. Also, many Kenyans adhere to different cultural, religious and customary dress styles. Jeans and decent tops/blouses for ladies are perfect. If you are going for business, you can keep it business-casual, however, business suits, tie and formal wear are preferred. Swimsuits are acceptable at the beach but not in public places.
Driving permit or license in Kenya
You can use your current permit/driver’s license from your country for as long as it is valid and you have held it for a minimum of two years. International driver’s permits and licenses are also acceptable. If you do drive in Kenya, please drive on the left side of the road. Kenyan drivers are very rough so be cautious while driving.
Internet access in Kenya
Internet access is available in all major hotels, lodges and post offices in Kenya. Business centers and internet cybercafés are popular in most cities throughout the country. Simply walk into a cybercafé or business center and pay per use.