KENYA
Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa. The country is bordered by South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania and the Indian Ocean. The capital and largest city is Nairobi. Kenya is the 3rd largest economy in sub-saharan Africa. The country gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1963.
MAIN CITIES
Nairobi
Mombasa
Kisumu
RELIGIONS
Christianity 85%
Islam 11%
Others 4%
POPULATION
53,738,440
LANGUAGES
English (official)
Swahili (official)
Kikuyu
Others
ETHNIC GROUPS
Kikuyu
Luhya
Kalenjin
Luo & others
CURRENCY
Kenyan shilling
TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN KENYA
MASSAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Massai Mara National reserve is located in south-west Kenya and is one of Africa’s Major Wild Reserves. It is home to more than 90 species of mammals and around 570 recorded species of birds. It offers accommodations such as places to stay. safari tours are also available.
LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Lake Nakuru is one of the Rift Valley soda lakes at an elevation of 1,754 m (5,755 ft) above sea level situated south of Nakuru, in the rift valley of Kenya and is protected by Lake Nakuru National Park. The park has a protected area dedicated to the preservation of threatened animals like giraffes and both black and white rhinos. The park also hosts predators like lions, cheetahs and leopards.
LAKE NAIVASHA
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in Kenya located north west of Nairobi. It is part of the Great Rift Valley. The lake covers an area of 139 sq km (86 sq mi), and is surrounded by a swamp which covers an area of 64 sq km (39 sq mi), but this can vary largely depending on rainfalls. The lake is home to around 400 different species of bird and an important range of hippos.
KAREN BLIXEN MUSEUM
The Karen Blixen Museum is located 10 km (6.21 mi) off Nairobi in Kenya. It is the former African home of Karen Blixen, a Danish author know for her book “Out of Africa” published in 1937. It is a bungalow-style house built in 1912 and sold to Karen Blixen in 1917. 24 years after her death, the house was opened to the public as a national museum in 1986.
WATAMU BEACH
Watamu beach is the number one beach in kenya. It is covered white sand, and it has a large shore. Moreover, the view from the creek is wonderful especially the sunrise and the sunset. Watamu beach is a quiet place, clean and very attractive.
AMBOSELI NATIONAL RESERVE
Amboseli National Park, is a national park in Kajiado County, Kenya. The park is 392 sq km (243 sq mi) wide. It is one of the best wildlife spots in the world with 400 species of birds and 47 species of raptors. There are also animals such as African bush elephant, Cape buffalo, impala, lion, cheetah, spotted hyena, Masai giraffe, Grant’s zebra, and blue wildebeest. It became a protected national park in 1974.
LAMU ISLAND
Lamu Island is located just off the shore of Kenya in the Indian Ocean belonging to Kenya. Lamu was founded in the 12th Century and best preserved remaining settlements of the Swahili tradition in east Africa. It was a slave market in the past until 1873. Residents are obliged to walk or ride donkeys for their daily commutes because of the small roads on the Island. Cars are prohibited for the general public.
NAIROBI NATIONAL MUSEUM
Nairobi National Museum is a national museum located in Nairobi, Kenya. It was established in 1910. The museum features the country’s History, Culture and Art. It offers also other activities like shopping stores and restaurants.
FORT JESUS
Fort Jesus is a fort located on Mombasa Island. It was built between 1593 and 1596, by order of King Philip I of Portugal. Fort Jesus was the only fort maintained by the Portuguese on the Swahili Coast. It is an important tourists attraction. The fort is roughly square, with four bulwarks at its corners. It became a UNESCO world heritage site in 2011.
MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK
Mount Kenya National Park was established in 1949 to protect Mount Kenya and its valuable ecosystem and by the way, attract more tourists. It covers an area of 715 sq km (444 sq mi). The fauna consists essentially of elephants, Black and white colobus, monkeys and buffaloes. It is a UNESCO biosphere reserve.