About Kenya

The African continent is huge and filled with many countries but if one of these countries might be described as Africa in one country then it would be Kenya. The landscape is diverse with lakes, plains, mountains, beaches lining the Indian Ocean and of course numerous wildlife parks.

The UK visitor demographic constitutes the largest portion of visitors to Kenya and with a small time difference and 11-hour flight time to Nairobi or Mombasa it is easy to see why. The safari experience is easily accessible and some of the worlds most remarkable land features are here including Mount Kenya, Mount Kilimanjaro and the famous Rift Valley that was carved by volcanic activity.

More than 40 wildlife parks exist to protect the many species of the African continent and these have created the perfect places to encounter these. The Tsavo National Park is Kenya’s largest and here you can find many big cats, cheetah, elephants, rhinos and zebra. 

The Maasi Mara Reserve is Kenya’s most popular with the annual wildebeest migration passing through this park on their journey from Tanzania’s Serengeti during June, July, August and September, so this a park with a huge tourist draw.

Alternative parks include the Amboseli National Park that sits at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro and this park boasts over 400 hundred species of wildlife to spot. Lake Nakuru is another popular reserve with uncountable numbers of flamingo as well as rhino, lions and pelicans.

Important: It is illegal to wear camouflage whilst on safari as this is worn by local soldiers and brightly coloured clothing should be avoided too.

Many species should be on the list of ‘must see’ and here is a list of some of the most popular.

Carnivores - Aardwolf, Banded Mongoose, Bat-Eared Fox, Cheetah, Common Jackal, Hyena, Large-Spotted Genet, Leopard and Lion.

Primates - Baboon and Bushbaby.

Mammals - Aardvark, African Elephant, Black Rhinoceros, Buffalo, Giraffe, Hippopotamus, Otter, Warthog, White Rhinoceros and Zebra.

Antelopes - Antelope, Bushbuck, Gazelle, Hartebeest, Oryx, Waterbuck and Wildebeest.

Many beaches line the Indian Ocean and these include the beach resorts of Bamburi, Nyali and Kikambala that can be found North of Mombasa. To the South there are more beaches to discover, being less crowded for those who love to venture of the beaten track. South of Mombasa also offers attractive towns with winding streets, local markets and ancient mosques.

The island of Zanzibar has some of the best beaches and so can be added to the list of the best places to relax under the sun in Kenya.

The climate is humid and hot and has a rainy season from April to May and during November.

The currency is the Kenya Shilling and you get roughly 140 Kenyan Shillings for 1GBP (2012)

The visa is required from the Kenyan Embassy prior to departure or from the Kenyan Immigration Department upon arrival for £30 or US$50 respectively.

The language is Swahili but English is spoken in the main tourist areas and by safari guides.

The jabs are required 3 months before your travel date and your doctor can provide specifics.

For more information visit holidays in Kenya UK and the Ministry of Tourism - Kenya: http://www.tourism.go.ke/

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