Located on the balmy shores of Eastern Africa, Kenya is a beautiful and wonderfully diverse country. Famous for her breathtaking mountain ranges, tropical rainforests, the Great Rift Valley with its soda and fresh water lakes, mighty rivers, endless savannah grasslands filled with game and a stunning Indian Ocean coastline, Kenya is a popular choice for tourists.
There is much for you to see and do: You have the opportunity to view magnificent wildlife (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, giraffe, leopard etc), diverse cultures unchanged by the modern world, pristine beaches and coral reef, equatorial forests and mighty snow-capped Mount Kenya, exotic historical sites and fascinating modern culture. You will also find endless prospects for adventure, discovery, and relaxation.
The wildlife is the prime attraction of Kenya safaris, and can be sighted in some of Africa’s best-known national parks, including the Masai Mara, Tsavo, Amboseli, and Lake Nakuru. Other exciting activities for you to choose from include balloon safaris, scuba diving and snorkelling, mountain climbing, hiking, and camping.
Best Seasons to Visit Kenya
Kenya is a year-round destination with excellent game viewing throughout the twelve months. However, if you are coming primarily for the wildebeest migration you will need to plan carefully as the migration varies from year to year but can usually be seen in Kenya’s Maasai Mara from July to October.
The peak tourist seasons correspond with international vacation times, i.e. December-January and July-August.
If you are looking for a beach holiday, October-January is the best time. It may be important for you to note that the rainy seasons are around April-May and October-early December.
Accommodation
You will have the choice of different types of accommodation in Kenya – everything from mobile safari tented camps and fine old lodges in the bush, to modern hotels designed to blend in with their natural surroundings.
Visas and travel documentation
All visitors to Kenya are required to have valid passports and visas. It is advisable for you to check visa requirements through us (Salaton Safaris), Kenya tourist offices, Kenyan Embassies or High Commissions in your country before coming. You can also visit http://www.kenyaembassy.com/visa.html.
Geography of Kenya
Kenya occupies a total area of 582,650 square kilometres on the Eastern Coast of Africa and straddles the Equator. Of this area, the lakes occupy a total area of 16,600 square kilometres. Kenya is bordered by Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, and Sudan to the northwest, with the Indian Ocean running along the southeast border. It is comparable in size to France, and is somewhat smaller than Texas in the United States.
Currency
The unit of exchange is the Kenya Shilling (KShs). Coins are found in denominations of 50 cents and of KShs 1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 while notes are in denominations of KShs 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000. There are no restrictions on the movement of currency into or out of Kenya for day to day transactions.
Banking services
You will find several local and international banks in major towns. Most operate from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. However, a few banks open earlier and close later. The banks are also open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. You have easy access to Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) for cash withdrawals.
Foreign Exchange
There are several foreign exchange bureaus in major towns where you can buy or sell the major international currencies.
Kenyan climate and weather conditions
Kenya is right on the equator and enjoys a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the Coast (daytime temperatures of 27-31°C), temperate inland and very hot and dry in the north and north-eastern parts of the country. Daytime temperatures in Nairobi range between 21-26°C
Summer is from December to March with the hottest months being February and March. The coldest months are July and August.
The long rains occur from April to June and short rains from October to December. Rain is sometimes very heavy and tends to fall in the afternoon and evenings.
Kenyan culture, religion and society
Kenya is made up of 42 different tribes, each with a different mother tongue, distinctive customs and way of life. People from many other countries have also chosen to live and work in Kenya. Christianity is the dominant religion, and there are large Muslim and Hindu communities.
It is advisable not walk in towns or public areas in your swim-wear, as this is offensive to majority of the community. Nude bathing is not allowed. You are advised to respect the local people, their culture and traditions.
Languages spoken in Kenya
English is the official language while Kiswahili is widely spoken, as it is the national language. For this reason, most Kenyans speak 2-3 languages, including their mother tongue.
Kenya’s political system and government
Kenya is a multi-party democracy, and has a President (Head of State) as well as a Prime Minister. The country is divided into counties as per the recently promulgated constitution of Kenya.
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT KENYA
Economic activities: Agriculture employs over 80% of the entire working population, contributes 29% to GDP and accounts for 50% of export earnings. Tourism is the largest single earner, while the industrial sector contributes about 16% to the GDP.
Major products manufactured in Kenya include cement, chemicals, household utensils, light machinery, motor vehicles, paper and paper products, and textiles. Food processing is also major industry. Several cash crops are grown in Kenya, including world-famous tea and coffee, as are horticultural items: fresh cut flowers, fruit and vegetables for local consumption and export.
Cities: There are 3 cities in Kenya – Nairobi (the capital), Mombasa and Kisumu.
Time zone: Kenya has a single time zone which is GMT/UTC +3 all year round with an almost constant 12 hours of daylight. The sun rises at approximately 6.30 a.m. and sets at 6.45 p.m.
Mass media: There are four major daily English language newspapers, one major daily Kiswahili newspaper, seven local television stations and 19 local and two foreign radio stations. Cable television is also available at many hotels.
Electricity: Power voltage supply is 220-240 volts with 3-pin (square) plugs being most common.
Hospitals and medical care: There are several major hospitals in Kenya, as well as many highly qualified medical doctors and specialists. Large hospitals include Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, Aga Khan Hospitals, and Mater Hospital.
