Introducing Kenya
Travel Alert: Criminal activity is a problem in parts of Kenya, see the Dangers & Annoyances section for details. Following attacks on resorts in coastal areas near Somalia in September and October 2011, warnings have been put out for staying closer than 150km of the border. Find out the latest on the situation before you go with travel advisories like those from fco.gov.uk.
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For a country of its size, Kenya sure packs a lot in: mountains and deserts, colourful tribal culture, beaches and coral reefs, and some of Africa’s best wildlife attractions. In fact, to say Kenya is Africa in microcosm would not be stretching the point. There are a million different reasons to come here, and picking just one is nigh impossible. Stunning landscapes set the scene, from Kakamega’s rainforests to Indian Ocean beaches by way of Mt Kenya National Park; the rolling grasslands of the Masai Mara to searing deserts on the shores of the Jade Sea; with The Rift Valley, home to Hell's Gate National Park, cleaving a massive gash through it all.
Wildlife safaris have been the mainstay of Kenya’s tourism for decades, and several Kenyan parks, like Tsavo National Park, are among the best places in Africa to see lions, elephants, leopards and the famous wildebeest migration. Kenya rates as one of the top five bird-watching destinations in the world; other activities for outdoor enthusiasts include trekking the glacial ridges of Mt Kenya, ballooning over the Masai Mara, snorkelling at the Marine National Park in Malindi on the Indian Ocean coast, and much more besides. Kenya's biggest city, Nairobi, with the baddest of reputations, is sidestepped by many visitors, but, in fairness, has an interesting urban appeal with its cafes and nightlife.
The people, too, represent a wide cross-section of everything that is contemporary Africa, and everyday life brings together traditional tribes and urban families; ancient customs and modern sensibilities. Swapping the latest political gossip with the switched-on locals is just one more small pleasure that comes with the culture.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
- Experience the best of East Africa in 17 days
- Take an enchanting break on idyllic Lamu beach
- Explore the Masai Mara with a guide
Last updated: Feb 8, 2012
Tips & articles
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Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel: top 10 regions for 2012
27 October 2011
When people talk about the best places to travel, it’s often all about a city or a country. But if...
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10 wild regions saved from certain death
6 September 2011
Having been snatched from the very jaws of environmental disaster lends a certain added drama to these wilderness regions.1. Franklin...
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An (almost) endless journey: the Tour d’Afrique
24 August 2011
A common workday daydream is to embark on a vacation that never ends. One adventure outfitter called Tour d’Afrique Ltd....
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: American Businessman opening Bank Account in Kenya (or any African Country)
by Mwenyeji 14 September 2011
Johnny On your first query (Choice between KCB and Barclays), I do not have +recent+ first hand experience of dealing with KCB, but I…
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Re: Safari Itinerary
by ReeseMugo 14 September 2011
Hey Miss Michelle, At sweetwaters you will have a chance to visit the only Chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya. Yopu also have a chance to…
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RE: Lodge Suggestions in Kenya...
by ReeseMugo 14 September 2011
Intrepids is nice. You can also try Ashnil Mara, its gorgeous.
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Kenya
Things to do
- All things to do (348)
- Activities (27)
- Entertainment (57)
- Restaurants (94)
- Shopping (53)
- Sights (59)
- Tours (58)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Kenya
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1 Amboseli National Park
Elephants and Kilimanjaro, Kenya's most famous picture-postcard views
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2 Lake Nakuru National Park
Fluorescent flamingo-fringed shores, ragged cliffs and more wildlife than you can shake a stick at
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3 Hell's Gate National Park
Gorgeous gorges, steaming hills and the chance to mingle with the wonderful wildlife on foot
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4 Tsavo National Park
Kenya's largest national park, famed for its wild, wild wildlife
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5 Mombasa Old Town
The coast's focal port, with an earthy old quarter and the mighty Fort Jesus
Fast Facts about Kenya
- Time
GMT/UTC +3
- Population
31.6 million
- Borders
- Seasons
Rainy (March to May, October to December), dry (January to February, June to September)
- Telephone
Country code 254; international code 00
- Budget
About US$75 a day, although one quality safari could blow it sky-high.
- Capital
- Visa
All visitors need a visa
- Languages
Kiswahili, English, tribal languages
- Area
583, 000 sq km
- Money
Kenya Shilling (KSh);US$1 = KSh70
Our favourite Kenya Blogs (beta)
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Check out the Muzungu’s Best of 2011!
Blog: Kampala Days (Diary of a Mzungu) - 1 January 2012
If 2011 was busy, 2012 looks set to be busier still! Here are a few of 2011′s highlights (if you don’t hate me by now …) TRAVELLING – Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Ethiopia, Turkey – and of course, Uganda. Kenya - The Naivasha Relay (84km from Nairobi to Lake Naivasha) is one of the highlights of Nairobi [...]
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Same Continent, Different Worlds: Part 1
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 31 December 2011
By Kiva Fellows in Africa, KF16 Compiled by Tejal Desai Where might you find muzungu hunting? Where do Kenya's elite runners hail from? And what do most borrowers in Burkina Faso use their business profits for? Kiva Fellows from KF16 bring you a unique perspective from the diverse and vast continent of Africa!
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Stuff Kiva Fellows Like #10-17
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 26 November 2011
Compiled by Jim Burke, KF16, Nicaragua We are Kiva Fellows. This is the stuff we like. Here is an insider (often critical, or satirical but always true!) view of what it means to be a Kiva Fellow and promote access to financial services around the world. From party crashing to bazaars to street food, these [...]
