Kenya has an area of 585,000 km2. It is a land of great contrast; all climates found in the entire world are found in a single country. One third is covered by the grasslands of the savannah, another third is a desert and the remaining is cool highlands, deeply wooded and dense forests and jagged snowcapped mountains like Mountain Kenya. The country is gifted with both alkaline, fresh water lakes and the Indian Ocean.
The name Kenya derives from an Agekuyu word “ Kinya’, it means Ostrich due to white snow and the black rocks which appears like the colors of a male Ostrich. Kenya attained its independence from the British colony on 12th December 1963 under the leadership of the founder of the nation, President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
Kenya is one of the world’s leading single travel destinations.
This beautiful country has a lot to offer in terms of touristic attractions.
The weather in most parts of the country is generally sunny with the high temperature of 31 – 35 degrees during the day and 18-22 degrees at night being felt at the coastal region. The low temperature of 18-22 degrees during day and 8-11 degrees at night being felt around the central and Mt Kenya region.
Kenya is GMT +3 hours a head of Europe in winter. +2 hours a head of Europe in summer. The country is proud to have a melting pot of 45 different tribes with the same number of dialects with rich colorful culture a waiting to be discovered.
English is the official language widely spoken by about 70% Kenyans and Swahili is the national language spoken by 90% Kenyans, both languages are taught at school.
Kenya is divided into 47 counties; each county is governed by a Governor, assisted by a Deputy Governor.
The country practices a democratic type of government consisting of a 2 governments a National one and Local government, every 5 years a Presidential and legislative election is conducted.
Kenya shilling is the currency used, available in 1, 5, 10, 20 & 40 coins shillings and in 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 notes.
Kenya has a long history for safaris tradition. At one time in history it hosted famous personalities while on hunting safaris like Winston Churchill the former British Prime Minister, former USA Presidents Teddy Roosevelt, Theodore etc.
Kenya has a good management system of natural reserves across the country. More than 10% of the land is reserved for conservation of fauna and flora, a sizeable proportion when you consider that the USA has less than 2% of its land dedicated for such purposes.
Kenya has 25 national parks including 7 marine parks, 60 reserves and 3 sanctuaries all a waiting to be visited.
Kenya is also endowed with several impressive, spectacular mountains inclusive the world’s 4th highest snowcapped mountain. Mt. Kenya, its highest peak is Batian with 5199 meters above the sea level. In 1977 it was declared a UNESCO heritage; it is also a biosphere reserve.
Just to name a few other renown mountains are as follows;- Mt. Elgon, its high peak is 4,321 m asl, Aberdares chain of mountains, its highest peak satima is 3,999 m asl,Mt. Suswa, high peak is 2,357 m asl, Mt. Menengai, high peak menengai is 2,272 m asl,
There are 2 annual cultural festival celebrations which normally take place in Kenya namely;- Lamu and in Loyangalani desert in Lake Turkana county, where the locals take part in exhibiting their rich culture, songs, regalia, artifacts, etc.
Kenya is also well known for producing and exporting one of the world’s best coffee ‘ Arabica’.
It is also the world’s no 1 flower producer and exporter, every week 3 cargo aero planes filled up with flowers are exported to Amsterdam Netherlands international flowers stalk market.
Kenya recently became a sporting destination well known to be a regular winner in the world sports arena particularly the marathon.
Kenya offers a huge choice of fine hotels and resorts.
Some of them are members of The Leading Hotels of World group.
As one of Africa top destinations. Kenya is rightly famed for the warm and generous welcome accorded to all visitors. To this it should be added the quality of its accommodation.
The genuine warmth of its hospitality and the high standards of service graciously and effortlessly delivered by legions of well trained staff.
These are the qualities that keep visitors coming back time after time, to Kenya safari camps, lodges, beach resorts, etc.
Rather than take this situation for granted. However Kenya is making serious efforts to ensure that its hospitality goes on growing and that its tourism sector continue to generate significant foreign exchange earnings.
It is worth noting that tourism is the economy’s third – largest foreign exchange earner, giving direct employment to over 500,000 Kenyans.
