TOURISM & TRAVEL

  GENERAL

 Kenya is a fascinating country with diverse physical features consisting of savannah, rain forests, a snow capped mountain located exactly at the equator, tropical beaches, extinct volcanoes, fresh water lakes, geothermal springs, deserts all within its borders. Most people associate Kenya with “safari” which is  a Kiswahili world meaning journey. A Kenyan safari is a thrilling memorable experience. Kenya has 59 national parks, game reserves and private sanctuaries each with its own unique attraction.  Every year Kenya attracts visitors from all over the world, who come to see, the famous “Big five”, Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard and Buffalo.

Kenya is the home of some of the world famous athletes and offers ideal high altitude training camps. Kenya occasionally hosts world class sporting events such as rallying, rugby, golf, polo, tennis cricket and yacht racing.

Kenya has a rich cultural heritage and is a meeting point of  diverse cultures.  In Kenya you will meet the Swahili sailors of the coast, visit the thorn enclosed villages of the Maasai in the south, walk alongside the Samburu warriors in the northern wilderness or fish with the Luo, master fisherman of Lake Victoria in the west. Despite this diversity Kenya is a peaceful nation united by a common Kenyan culture, a strong, proud people who warmly welcome the world to their beautiful country. One word is heard all over Kenya “Karibu” This means “Welcome” and in Kenya it is a greeting, an invitation and a blessing.

 Some of Kenya’s Regions in Brief

Nairobi

Nairobi, the capital is a modern, cosmopolitan city with lively markets, fascinating museums and world class golf courses.  The Nairobi National Park is situated close to the city centre,  and is the only game protection area in world  adjacent to  a city.

Coast

 Kenya’s coast has been visited since the 4th century by Arabs, Greeks and later the Portuguese and British.  This history lives in the ruins of Fort Jesus in Mombasa and the narrow town streets of Lamu. Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline offers stunning tropical beaches, fine white sands, and warm torquoise waters ideal for swimming and water sports.  Beyond the beaches are forests highland reserves and river deltas abundant with wildlife.

Northern Kenya

Kenya’s northern frontier is desert hot, perched, remote and it is where Lake Turkana, the world’s largest permanent desert lake is found.  The lake was discovered by Austrial explorers Count Teleki and Von Hohvel in 1888.

“The Jade Sea”, as it is sometimes referred to because of its colour has a large concentration of crocodiles.  There are also interesting archaeological sites in this region.

Rift Valley

The Great Rift Valley is a vast prehistoric fissure that stretches from Jordan to Mozambique and crosses through Kenya.  From the north to the south of Kenya the valley is lined with a series of fresh water and saline volcanic lakes. Lake Nakuru lies on the valley and has a very colourful spectacle of flamigoes. The geyser in Lake Baningo is also a major attraction.

Western

Kenya’s western frontier is dominated by the wide waters of lake Victoria, the source of the renowned River Nile. Fishing brings many visitors to this lake, mainly in search of the Nile Perch, considered a world class game fish.  Another interesting place to visit in this area is equatorial rain forest at Kakamega, which has abundant birdlife species, monkeys and rare tree