KENYA FACT SHEET
A land of contrasts comprising arid desert, rich savannah land, mountains, large lakes and dense forests. The country’s special appeal lies in it’s unique combination of wildlife sanctuaries, glorious beaches, breath-taking scenery, agreeable climate, sophisticated accommodation, and happy hospitable people. Kenya is a land of beauty and wonders that call one back time and again. On the equator, Kenya occupies an area similar to France. It is bounded in the north by the arid bushlands and deserts of Ethiopia and the Sudan, to the east by Somalia and the Indian Ocean, to the west by Uganda and Lake Victoria, and to the south by Tanzania. The country can be roughly divided into four main areas, the Coastal Belt, the Rift Valley and Central Highlands, Western Kenya and the North and East of Kenya.
The Coastal Belt: This area covers some 280 miles of the Indian Ocean’s coral reefs and beaches.
The Rift Valley & Central Highlands: These regions form the backbone of the country and have the most spectacular scenery. The Rift Valley, studded with lakes, runs the whole length of the country. It is bordered on the Eastern side by the thick forests of the Aberdare Mountains and, further to the east, by Mt. Kenya – the second largest mountain in Africa. This is the most fertile area of the country and the lower slopes of the mountain are intensely cultivated. Nairobi, the capital, sits at the southern end of the central highlands.
Western Kenya: Consisting of an undulating plateau stretching from the Sudanese border to Tanzania in the south. It is here that Kenya’s largest and most popular wildlife sanctuaries are found – Masai Mara, Amboseli and Tsavo. To the south of Amboseli rises the spectacular Mt. Kilimanjaro – Africa’s largest mountain.
The North & East of Kenya: These two regions cover a vast mountainous area of bushland, scrub and desert where rainfall is sparse.
BACKGROUND NOTES
The first human to appear in Kenya was perhaps the first human to appear anywhere. Fossils found in the Lake Turkana area are approx. 2,500,000 years old. Other fossil remains indicate that Kenya was the centre of three major migrations; the Cushites from the north some 9000 years ago; the Bantu from the West around the 11th century and the Nilotes from the Nile area in the 16th century. Arab, Persian, Indian and Chinese merchants arrived on the coast and settled around the 8th century. The Portuguese arrived in 1498 and the British arrived in the 19th century.
In the early 20th century, the British built a railroad from Mombasa to Lake Victoria and the town of Nairobi was built at the railhead. In 1907, Nairobi became the capital of the Protectorate. After the uprising of the Mau Mau in the early 1950s, the British moved toward more African participation in the government which eventually led to independence in 1963. Jomo Kenyatta became Kenya’s first African President. He died in 1978 and was succeeded by his vice-president Daniel arap Moi.
The inauguration of the new president, Uhuru Kenyatta took place 9 April 2013. He’s Kenya’s 4th President.
ECONOMY
Kenya is still a predominantly agricultural country although there is an industrial sector, and tourism is important.
CLIMATE
As Kenya is located on the Equator, there are no extremes in temperatures. However, because of Kenya’s diverse geography, there are roughly four zones of climatic conditions.
Coastal Belt: This area is hot and humid all year round though tempered by sea breezes on the coast itself. Average temps vary little throughout the year and range from a min. of 22C to a max of 30C.
Rift Valley & Central Highlands: This area enjoys the most agreeable climate throughout the country though there is quite a variation between the hot and relatively dry floor of the Central Rift Valley, and the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Kenya. Rainfall in this area falls into two seasons – March to May (the long rains) and October to December (the short rains). Average temps range between a minimum of 10-14C to a maximum of 22-26C.
Western Kenya: This area is generally hot and fairly humid with rainfall spread throughout the year though most of it falls during the evenings. Temps range from a min of 14C to a max of 34C.
North & East Kenya: Rainfall in this area is sparse and when it comes it is normally in the form of a violent storm. July is generally a dry month, and November is the wet month. Temps range from 40C during the day to 20C or less at night.
PLACES OF INTEREST
NAIROBI
Nairobi is the capital and the largest city of Kenya. It is a modern bustling city and is the gateway to Kenya. This city has much to offer the visitor from the busy markets where bargaining is considered to be part of the shopping experience, to the Nairobi National Park only 8 miles from the city centre where one may see many of the species of game before going on safari. Also of note is the Nairobi National Museum which contains a wealth of information on the country’s development from its colonial days, and also houses examples of the Leakeys work on the origins of man, the Bomas of Kenya, a cultural centre that provides an introduction to the ethnic ceremonies and ways of life of the region, and Mbogane House, the former home of Karen Blixen.
WILDLIFE AREAS
Kenya is one of the best countries in Africa for game-viewing. The plains and mountains support a diversity of wildlife including the “Big Five” – elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard and lion, as well as cheetah, wild dog, antelope, baboons, monkeys, crocodile, hippo and over 700 species of birds. Kenya is very conservation-oriented and the only shooting one can do is with a camera. The parks and reserves are made up of the following:
Masai Mara Game Reserve: Located in South-western Kenya near the Tanzania border, this part of the vast Serengeti plain extends southward into Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. The reserve has a vast quantity of game.
Aberdare National Park: Located 93 miles north of Nairobi and is the home of the famous tree lodges. These lodges overlook waterholes and salt licks.
Meru National Park: Located north of Mount Kenya.
Nakuru National Park: This park encompasses an alkaline lake frequented from time to time by thousands of flamingos.
Mt. Kenya National Park: This park surrounds Mt. Kenya. The Mountain is permanently snow-capped, abounds in alpine-like flora and has several glaciers.
Amboseli National Park: Located about 100 miles south of Nairobi near the Tanzania border and much of this area is dry and flat. Swamps and springs, fed by underground rivers from Mt. Kilimanjaro’s melting snow, form permanent watering places for the wildlife in times of drought. Elephants are particularly common in this park.
Tsavo West and Tsavo East: The two parks straddle the railroad and main highway between Nairobi and Mombasa.
Mount Elgon National Park: Located in the western part of Kenya near the Uganda border, this park surrounds Mt. Elgon, Kenya’s second highest peak. The area is heavily forested with exception of Mt. Elgon which is covered in alpine-like vegetation. There are a number of unique caves within the area, some of which are popular with elephants who enter into the darkness and mine salt and other minerals with their tusks.
MOMBASA
Mombasa is the second largest city in Kenya with a population of over 850,000. This island, 307 miles from Nairobi on a paved road, is a mystical blend of the Middle East, Asia and Africa. The old Harbour is a haven for dhows carrying goods for trade between Arabia and the Indian sub-continent and Africa. Built by the Portuguese in 1593, Fort Jesus now serves as a museum displaying antiquities. The Old Town is Muslim and Indian in flavor with winding narrow streets and alleys, tall 19th century buildings with hand-carved doors and over-hanging balconies, and small shops.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Entry requirements
All visitors to Kenya must have a valid passport and a Visa obtainable upon entry into Kenya for US $50 per person.VISAS MUST BE GAINED BEFORE TRAVEL TO KENYA using their recently launched E-citizen,an easy-to-use and efficient e-visa service. https://immigration.ecitizen.go.ke/index.php?id=5
This process is compulsory from 1 September 2015. Thereafter, you will not be allowed to purchase visas when landing in Kenya.
Health requirements
Anti-malaria precautions need be taken and yellow fever shots are recommended.
Currency
The local currency is Kenya Shillings (100 cents = 1 Kenya Shilling). There is no restriction on the amount of money a visitor can bring into the country but there are very strict regulations on the exportation of Kenyan currency. You may NOT take local money out of Kenya. On arrival into Kenya, you will be asked to declare all currencies which you are bringing into the country. It is very important that you obtain receipts and have your currency form (given to you on arrival) officially stamped each time you convert money into the local shillings.
Language
Swahili is the official language, however English is widely spoken and written.
What to Wear
Mainly casual and lightweight clothing except at Mt. Kenya Safari Club and some of the better restaurants in Nairobi where a jacket and tie are required for dinner. We do recommend a jacket or sweater year round as it can be quite cool in the mountains and higher elevations.
Banking Hours
Banks are open 0900-1300 Monday through Friday, and 0900-1100 on Saturdays. Travelers Checks can be changed in hotels as well as banks.
Shopping Hours
In the cities and towns, shops are open between 0830-1230 and 1400-1700 Mon-Sat.
Good Buys
Batiks, beadwork, baskets, Kanga and Kikoi cloth, gemstones (tsavoite and tanzanite). You should be careful examining the authenticity of what you buy. Animal skins, ivory and elephant hair jewelry may not be legally sold in Kenya nor imported into the USA or Canada. For authentic and quality crafts and artifacts, try Studio 68 on Standard Street or the African Heritage Shop on Kenyatta Avenue.
The City Market, located just off Kenyatta Avenue, makes an interesting shopping excursion. In addition to a great variety of local crafts, baskets, rugs, carvings etc. the market also sells produce, meat, poultry, flowers, colorful cloth and household goods. And of course, bargaining is the expected form here.
Voltage
220volts, 50 cycles AC
Water
Water is safe to drink in Nairobi and at tourist hotels/lodges.
Credit Cards
Most hotels and restaurants accept all major credit cards.
Tipping
While on Safari: As a general rule, unless the tour is escorted by a courier, tips to the driver/guide are not included. Money is pooled on a tour and then given to the driver. Average tips range from $5 – $10 per person per day.
In the City: In restaurants, a service charge of 10% is often included in the check, in which case you are not expected to tip, but may leave a little extra if you wish. If not included, a 10-15% tip is the norm. Taxi drivers, hairdressers etc expect a 10% tip. For porters, 10 Kenya shillings per piece of luggage and 10 Kenya shillings for hotel porters escorting you to your room. Tribespeople in native costume will expect to be paid if you photograph them.
Exit Regulations
Please note that there is a Departures Tax from the international airport in Nairobi of US $30 per person. This is usually included in your international airticket taxes. There are also taxes applicable if flying domestically within Kenya or between Kenya and Tanzania.