ABOUT KENYA
Kenya is a Country in the East African Region and lies astride the Equator covering an Area of approximately 583,000sq km. The Country is bordered by Somalia and the Indian Ocean in the East, Tanzania in the south, Uganda and Lake Victoria in the West, Sudan and Ethiopia in the North. It is bisected by the Rift Valley from North to South, much of Kenya is plateau with highland areas. Mount Kenya, an extinct volcano is the second highest mountain in the continent. The main rivers are Galana and Tana and lakes include Lake Turkana and Lake Victoria. The major Tourist attraction here is the Wildebeest Migration.
Facts about Kenya
Country: Republic of Kenya
Capital City: Nairobi is the capital city while Mombasa is the main port.
Area: 538,000sq km
Population: The population was estimated at 39,002,780 in 2009.
Languages: English and Kiswahili are official languages. Other African languages include Luo, Maa and Kikuyu.
Currency: Kenya Shillings
Religion: A large majority of Kenyans are Christian, but estimates for the percentage of the population that adheres to Islam or indigenous beliefs vary widely. Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, Muslim 10%, Indigenous beliefs 10%, others 2%.
Climate: Tropical along the coast and low lying Districts and Temperate in the Highlands and on the plateau. The best time of the year to visit Kenya is the boreal summer, from July to September. A second choice is the boreal winter from January to February. There are two rainy seasons, the “long rains” from March to June and the “short rains” from October to December. Seasonal rains condition both road communications and some cyclic wildlife movements. Wildlife is more abundant in Masai Mara during the boreal summer.
Tourist attractions: Kenya’s main tourist attractions include;
- Masai Mara National park the most popular wildlife park in Kenya, from July – October you can witness the incredible migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra. The Masai tribesmen also offer cultural tours which really add to the experience.
- Mount Kenya has 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.
- Lamu one of Kenya’s oldest towns settled by the Swahili about 700 years ago and 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.
Access: 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.
Visas: A Kenyan Visa can be obtained at the Airport.
Links:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g294206-Kenya-Vacations.html
http://www.africaguide.com
http://www.kenya-information-guide.com
http://www.tourism.go.ke
