Kenya
Kenya better know as the Cradle of humanity. Kenya has some of the largest and most accessible wildlife parks in Africa; coral reefs and palm-fringed white-sand beaches along the Indian Ocean, the mighty Mt Kenya; and ancient Swahili cities that almost rival Zanzibar.
Nairobi is a fast bustling funky city with lots of energy. The Central market is fascinating and you will be expected to bargain hard for your goods; Colourful cloths, sarongs, and Masaai blankets, a bewildering array of arts and crafts and batiks and much more. Tours that pass through Kenya
Must do's
- Go on a Wildlife Adventure safari tour that visits Kenya.
- Try delicious nyama choma (barbecued goat meat)
- Witness the Wildebeests migration between Serengeti and Masai Mara National Park.
- Sample many of Kenya's wonderful Tusker' beer.
- Experience some of the lakes, mountains and flowing countryside of the Great Rift Valley.
- Be sure to visit the markets of Nairobi - some of the best in Africa.
- Go on a Wildlife Adventure safari tour that visits Kenya.
QUICK FACTS - KENYA:
Area: 583,00 sq km
Population: 30 million
Official languages: Swahili & English
Time: GMT/UCT +3
Currency: Kenyan shilling
Capital: Nairobi
GEOGRAPHY
The country can be divided into four primary zones: The coastal belt, which features hot, humid weather all year; the Rift Valley and central highlands, the most scenic area, with its lakes and mountains and agreeable climate; western Kenya, with the northern tea plantations fading away to semidesert in the south and the Masai Mara National Reserve on the Tanzanian border; and the north and east of the country, which consists of vast semiarid bushland where rainfall is sparse and cattle-grazing is the main activity.
NAIROBI
Nairobi could easily be described as the largest, youngest, most modern, fastest growing and highest (1 700m) city in East Africa. Nairobi is also known as "City in the sun" and "City of flowers", just to mention a few. Nairobi, less than a century old, has real claims to Western-Style sophistication but it lacks a convincing heart. Nairobi is as compelling a place as any and displays enormous vitality and buzz. It's hard to imagine a city with a more fascinating variety of people. On any downtown pavement you can see a complete cross-section of Kenyans, plus every variety of tourist. Nairobi is the best place in East Africa to buy handicrafts, with the widest selection and the best facilities for posting the stuff home. There are dozens of shops to browse through, with very reasonable prices when purchasing traditional fabrics and clothes, traditional masks, beads, and lots more. The Maasai Market where anything from twenty to fifty Maasai women display their wares, is a hot recommendation if you are after Maasai traditional and tourist gear. For the few days that most people spend in Nairobi it's a stimulating city.
HISTORY
Kenya's history dates back to many centuries from the internal diaspora or the early settlements and migrations. Then came the formation of the various language groups who developed their own religions, traditions, governments and ruling systems in which they dictated their way of life and how they managed to keep alive by their trade and occupations. Then came the white settlers, which were followed by the fight for liberation, which gave birth to the Mau Mau freedom fighters and the rise of the Kenyan heroes. In the study of Kenya's past, a look at the present is also inevitable, in order to be able to weigh the future.
CULTURE
There are more than 70 tribal groups among the Africans. Western cultural values are becoming more ingrained and traditional values are disintegrating. Even though some have drifted away from tribal traditions, a person's tribe is still the most important part of their identity. CLIMATE
The rainy seasons are March to May (the long rains) and October to November (the short rains). During these times, the days start warm and sunny and downpours occur mostly in the late afternoons. Travelling in Kenya at this time is not generally a problem because the roads are good and the bursts of rain are short. TRAVEL TIPS - Banks will change money, but their commission can be high.
- Take care of your belongings at all times. This includes baggage, cash, traveller's cheques and credit cards, passport and travel and insurance documents.
- Lots and lots of beer is available in Kenya since the local brewing industry is big.
- Take a phrase book with you it might come in handy.
|
icon associated with each
tour
.
Back
Print
Bookmark
