Kenya

Kenya Flag

Why visit Kenya?

For the adventurous traveler seeking to experience balloon rides, boating, beaches, birdwatching, camping, colonial-era forts, coffee plantations, coral reefs, glamping, golf, historical mosques, history, hunting, lakes, national parks, natural environment, reserves, safari tours, sailing, sanctuaries, scenic landscapes, scuba diving, shopping, snorkeling, tea plantations, tribal culture, and wildlife.

Amboseli National Park (Loitoktok District - Rift Valley), Entonet, Kenya. Photo Credit: Herbert Aust/Pixabay 

A popular destination for:

• Amateur & Professional Photographers
• Bucket List Destination
• Groups: Family, Friends and Multigenerational 
• Milestones: Anniversary, Birthday, and Retirement
• Safari Trip

Nairobi, Kenya. Photo Credit: Nina Stock/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Antiques, art, baskets, beadwork, carved gourds, coffee, ebony carvings, glassware, handwoven fabrics, macadamia nuts, malachite gemstone, soapstone, tanzanite gemstone, tsavorite gemstones, and wood carvings.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Chapatis (flatbread). Githeri (traditional dish). Irio (vegetable mash). Kaimati (sweet dumplings). Maharagwe (coconut curry soup). Mishkaki (skewered meat). Mutura (sausage). Samosas (meat pastry). Sukuma Wiki (collard greens). Ugali (cornmeal mush). Wali Wa Kukaanga (rice dish).
• Local Drink to Try: Dawa (cocktail). Kenyan Tea. Maziwa Lala (fermented milk). Mursik (sour milk). Tusker (lager beer).

Lake Nakuru National Park, Rift Valley, Kenya. Photo Credit: Nick115/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• Home to Baobab Trees (south).
• Ranks as the world's third largest exporter of cut flowers (Lake Naivasha/Rift Valley). 
  
• Given their high altitude golf balls travel further.
• Has approximately 40 golf clubs.
• Found fossils date back over 20 million years ago.
• Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess was at the Treetops Hotel (Kenya) on vacation when notified of her fathers passing, King George VI (1895-1952).
• Mount Kenya is their tallest peak.
• South of the Tanzanian Border, Mount Kilimanjaro is visible.  
  
• While sitting in office, former President Barack Obama was the first to visit in office.
• Have over 40 golf courses.
  
• Since, drought-resistant crops they have been cropping pigeon peas.
  
• A terminal (Nairobi Airport) is dedicated to air transport of flowers and vegetables.
  
• Plans to build a nuclear power plant (by 2027).
• Has the highest population of Quakers compared to any other country in the world.
  
• Faith healers, herbalists, and witch doctors are widely practiced and services often sought.
  
• The Maasai population are known and recognizable for their elaborate jewellery and upper-body adornment.
• Lyrics are usually in English or Kiswahili. 
  
• Dominants in long-distance and middle-distance athletics in the world.
  
• The Safari Rally race started in  coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (1953). 
• Cheese has grown in popularity amongst the "middle class".  
  
• Republic of Kenya is named after Mount Kenya with consideration to the black rock and white snow on its peaks similar to feathers of the male ostrich.
• Sits on the equator.
  
• World-class runners are attributed to their rich carbohydrates diet and high altitudes.
  

Maasai Village, Kenya. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) Maulidi Festival, Nairobi Restaurant Week, (February) Safaricom International Jazz Festival, Sauti za Busara, (March) Kijani Festival, (April) Cake Festival, KCB Safari Rally, Kenya Open Golf Championship, (June) Kenya Fashion Week, Kenya International Trade Exhibition, Lake Turkana Festival, Lamu Maulidi Festival, Lewa Marathon, Rhino Charge, Tusker Safari Seven, Zanzibar International Film Festival of the Dhow Countries, (July) Sigana International Storytelling Festival, (August) International Camel Derby & Festival, Kenya Music Festival, Kwani Literary Festival, Lola Kenya Screen Film Festival, (September) Africa Concours D'Elegance, Africa Nouveau Festival, Story Moja Festival, (October) Kenya International Film Festival, Kenya International Puppetry Festival, (November) Craft of Africa, Lamu Cultural Festival, Mombasa Carnival, Shaggy Dog Show, and (December) Kenya Music Week.
• Holidays: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Madaraka Day, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adham Huduma Day, Mashujaa Day, Jamhuri Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Eve.

Diani Beach, Kenya. Photo Credit: Herbert Aust/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Terrorist threats remain high.
  
• Forced marriages are known to occur amongst natives.
  
• Safari lodges and tour operators are required to carry a nationally mandated insurance. 
  
• Local law criminalizes same-sex sexual activity with up to 14 years in prison.
• The Best view of Mount Kilimanjaro is from Amboseli National Park.
  
• Diani Beach (south of Mombasa) offers the best white sand beach.
  
• Prevalent Diseases include: Cholera, Dengue, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, HIV, Malaria, Measles, Rabies, Schistosomiasis, and Tuberculosis.
• Traffic moves on the left side of the road.
• Bird watching is best around Arabuko Sokoke Forest, Kakamega Forest, Karura Forests, Ngong Forests, and Rift Valley.
• Balloon rides are best from tops of Masai Mara.
  
• Roads are poorly maintained and unpaved.
• Fishing Season is August - March.
  
• Fishing is best in Kilifi, Malindi, Shimoni, and Watamu. 
  
• During the Rainy Season (April - May), unpaved roads are impassable. 
• Due to the high altitude golf balls travel further.

Safari, Kenya. Photo Credit: Emilian Danaila/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with six months of validity upon return and two blank pages for entry stamps.
• Tourist VISA required.
• Yellow Fever vaccination is required. 
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000USD.

Faza, Kenya. Photo Credit: Emilian Danaila/Pixabay 

• Best Time to Visit: July - September
• Coolest Months: June - October 
• Hottest Months: February - March

Nakuru County, Kenya. Photo Credit: Love Art Live Art/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Fort Jesus Mombasa, Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Turkana National Parks, Lamu Old Town, Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest, Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests, and Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site.

Kenya. Photo Credit: Lens Image/Pixabay 

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

                                          All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.