Kenya
Kenya is situated on Africa’s east coast and straddles the Equator – which means warm weather and some striking landscapes. Kenya is most famous for her ‘Out of Africa’ beauty as well as Arabian influenced towns and islands.
The Kenyan scenery is probably most scenic and spectacular in the Great Rift Valley and central highlands. Travel overland and you’ll see the most diverse collection of wild animals on the continent – the Kenyan flora and fauna defies easy description. Lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard and rhino are all easy to find in at least two of the major Kenyan National Parks.
Kenya is not only all about wildlife and game reserves, because down on the coastline lies Diani Beach – a hub of tropical activity, beautiful people and clear blue waters. Make sure you pay the Kenya Beaches a visit!
Kenyan Travel Facts
Area: 583,000 sq km
Population: 30,339,770
Capital city: Nairobi
People: 22% Kikuyu, 14% Luhya, 13% Luo, 12% Kalenjin, 11% Kamba, 6% Kisii, 6% Meru, 16% other
Languages: English, Swahili, indigenous
Currency: Kenyan shilling
Visas: All Kenyan visitors require a visa except citizens of some Commonwealth countries and citizens of selected countries such as Denmark, Germany, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, South Africa and Sweden.
Time: GMT/UTC plus three hours
Health: Health risks: Malaria (except in Nairobi and high-altitude areas), cholera, hepatitis, meningitis, typhoid, HIV, Rift Valley fever and yellow fever.
Kenyan Climate
Travel on a Kenyan overland adventure and the first thing you will learn is that the Kenyan climate is always confusing and unpredictable!
Generally the pattern is that January and February are hot and dry, while from March to May it is hot and wet – this is known as the ‘Kenyan Long Rains’. From June until October the weather is warm and dry then come the ‘Kenyan Short Rains’.
Kenyan Travel Tips
- Beer drinkers are well supplied as Kenyans love their beer and there is a thriving local brewing industry.
- Kenyan traditional cuisine is a must; look out for beans and meat sauce, or nyama choma (barbecued goat meat.) Delicious!
- No Kenyan overland adventure is complete without some mountain hiking. Mount Kenya seems to be the place, but less trampled hiking areas include Mount Elgon on the Ugandan border, and even the Ngong Hills near Nairobi.
- Fishing-enthusiasts take note! Game-fishing opportunities off the Kenyan coast around Malindi are among the best in the world!
- Go hot-air ballooning over the Masai Mara and enjoy superb and silent aerial overviews.
- Travel to the Kenyan coastal towns such as Malindi and the Lamu Archipelago for plenty of adventure, diving, windsurfing and bronzing.
- Banks will change money, but their commission can be high. The place to carry your money is in a pouch against your skin. Anything more obvious will only make a thief’s job easier.
- Warning – Nairobi isn’t referred to as ‘Nairobbery’ for nothing – be careful!
- It’s very useful to have a working knowledge of Swahili – why not pick up a phrase book before you travel on your Kenyan overland adventure.
For more information on Kenya and Kenyan travel go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya