About Kenya

Kenya is the heart of safari country and a trip through a few of its spectacular parks and reserves is a memorable experience. Breathtaking sights include millions of wildebeest on their annual migration between August and October and equally large numbers of pink flamingoes massing on the shores of the Rift Valley soda Lakes. For sheer majesty it’s hard to beat the sight of a herd of elephants crossing the plains with Africa’s most famous mountain, the evocative snow- capped Kilimanjaro on the back drop.

Get off the beaten track on a walking safari, a camel safari, or on horseback. You can even freewheel down the Great Rift Valley on a mountain bike. There are a thousand species of birds to spot, 59 National Parks and reserves to explore, trails to hike, mountains to climb, golf holes to eagle, trout to catch and people to meet.

After all this activity in the bush, what a contrast to let go and relax on a white sand , palm fringed beach besides the clear blue water of the incomparable Indian Ocean. If you have energy to spare you can sail , catch a marlin, surf a wind, learn to scuba, or simply goggle at the remarkable coral reefs and tropical fish in seven marine parks.

Those seeking more energetic pursuits will find no shortage of challenges – Kenya has some excellent mountains to climb, especially the popular Mt. Kenya with its unusual alpine flora, the Kilimanjaro and the much less visited Mt. Elgon in the west of Ugandan boarder.

Excellent air connections with Europe , Asia and else where in Africa make Kenya the ideal place for a short visit, or the starting or finishing point for a longer sojourn in Africa.

Either way Kenya has it all-don’t miss it. You have to see it to believe it.

Name: Republic of Kenya
Area: 582,645 sq km
Capital: Nairobi
Population: 39 mn, 67 per sq. km, 2.7% growth
Life Expectancy: 64 Infant Mortality: 43.6 per 1000 births
Doctors per mn: 15
Currency: Kenya Shilling (KSh)
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The Government
Head of State: President Uhuru Kenyatta
Gov’t Party: Jubilee Coalition:
Election Type: National Assembly Period: 5 yrs Next: 2017
Gov’t System: Republic Unicameral, directly elected National Assembly holds legislative
Power: Executive power held by president, also directly elected for 5years.
Legal System: Based on English common law, tribal law, and Islamic laws judicial review in High court accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.
Colonized by: British
Independence: 12 Dec 1963
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The Geography and Climate
Coastline: 536km Geo Coordinates: 1 00N, 38 00E
Health Risks: Malaria exists all year throughout the country. There is normally little risk in Nairobi and in the highlands (above 2500 metres) of Central, Rift Valley, Eastern Nyanza and Western Provinces. Rabies.
Highest Pts: Mount Kenya 5199 feet
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National Parks
Aberdares, Amboseli, Arawale, Chyulu Hills, Dodori, Gedi, Hells Gate, Lake Bogoria, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, Marsabit, Meru, Mount Elgon, Mount Kenya, Mount Longonot, Nairobi, Ol Donyo Sapuk, Saiwa Swamp, Shimba Hills, Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Ruma,
Ndere, Ndere, Kora, Marine
Game Reserves: Kakamega Forest, Masai Mara, Samburu Springs
Climate: Varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior.
Rain Season: April – May and October – November
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The Culture and Society
Ethnic Groups: Kikuyu 21%, Luhya 14%, Kalenjin 17%, Kisii 6%, Non-African(Asian,European and
Arab) 2%, Luo 13%, Kamba 10%, Meru 10%
Religion: Christian 66%, Indigenous Beliefs 26%, Muslim 7%, Other 1%
No. of Households: 3 Languages: English (Primary Education) Swahili (Primary
Education)

The Education
Male Youth Illiteracy: 5%, Primary Education: 8yrs Pupil per Teacher: 30

The Economy
Current Account: $ 24.5 mn
Foreign Debt: $6562 mn
GDP 5 yr growth: -0.2 % pa