Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator. With the Indian Ocean to its south-east, it is bordered by Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, South Sudan to the north-west, Ethiopia to the north and Somalia to the north-east. Kenya has a land area of 580,000 km2 and a population of a little over 43 million residents. The country is named after Mount Kenya, a significant landmark and second among Africa’s highest mountain peaks. Its capital and largest city is Nairobi.
Kenya has a warm and humid climate along its coastline on the Indian Ocean, which changes to wildlife-rich savannah grasslands moving inland towards the capital. Nairobi has a cool climate that gets colder approaching Mount Kenya, which has three permanently snow-capped peaks. The warm and humid tropical climate reappears further inland towards lake Victoria, before giving way to temperate forested and hilly areas in the western region.
Kenya Country Information
Capital and largest city Nairobi
1°16′S 36°48′E
Official languages
Swahili
English
Ethnic groups
22% Kikuyu
14% Luhya
13% Luo
12% Kalenjin
11% Kamba
6% Kisii
6% Meru
15% other African
1% non-African
Demonym Kenyan
Government Semi-presidential republic
– President Mwai Kibaki
– Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka
– Prime Minister Raila Odinga
– National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende
– Chief Justice Willy Munyoki Mutunga
Legislature National Assembly
Independence
– from the United Kingdom 12 December 1963
– Republic declared 12 December 1964
Area
– Total 580,367 km2 (47th)
224,080 sq mi
– Water (%) 2.3
Population
– 2012 estimate 43,013,341 (31st)
– 2009 census 38,610,097 (low / 143rd)
Currency Kenyan shilling (KES)
Time zone EAT (UTC+3)
– Summer (DST) not observed (UTC+3)
Date format dd/mm/yy (AD)
Drives on the left
Calling code +254
ISO 3166 code KE
Internet TLD .ke
Kenya Travel Guide
Kenya has something for any traveller. There are many different landscapes and cultures, all quite different and beautiful. There is the desert of the north, and The Rift Valley where evidence of protohumans was first found. There are many brilliant Lakes, including Lake Victoria in western Kenya, Lake Naivasha and many more.
Kenya has some of the world’s best parks (which may be referred to as National Parks or Game Reserves) where you can see some of the finest African flora and fauna. They are famous for Lions, Giraffe, Elephant and huge herds of Zebra, Wildebeest or Buffalo. The annual Wildebeest migration (from Masai Mara to the Serengeti) is an awesome sight & best experienced via a balloon safari. Masai Mara National Game Reserve is connected with Serengeti N.P. in Tanzania. The park is very accomodating to tourists, and offers many opportunities to see true African wildlife.
Kenya also is a great destination for beach holidays and has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, located along the coastal regions and the city of Mombasa. It is also becoming a preferred golf holiday destination, with an abundance of beautiful courses around the major urban areas. Green fees range from US$15.00 to US40.00 per round, plus US$5-7 for caddy fee.
The northwestern region of this country, the Turkana District, is a vast, desolate, hot, arid landscape where goatherders and bandits coexist. Lodwar, comparable to the “Dodge City” of the early American West, has the basic necessities of life, including Internet kiosks and semi-reliable electricity. Lokichoggio, the outpost in the northeasternmost sector of this county, is home to UN refugee camps with 30,000+ people. Roads are extremely rough, the terrain unforgiving, and people are always inquisitive about what brings you to their country.
The best places to start your travels in Kenya are probably Nairobi N.P. the capital and South of Mombasa the second largest city, located on the coast. Both are served by international flights and have a very good tourist infrastructure.