Kenya is still the primary focus of all adventure travel in Africa. It is one of the finest–and undoubtedly the most famous–safari destination in the world. Safari, however, is by no means the only reason to visit Kenya, for the attractions of its rich culture and diverse environments are considerable.
Kenya is situated right along the equator, on the eastern coast of the African continent. Its coastal region is on the southeast, and to the east lies Somalia. Ethiopia is to the north, Sudan to the northwest, and Uganda directly to the west. The southwestern border of the country is marked by Lake Victoria, and southward lies Tanzania. Kenya’s geography is marvellously varied. While much of northeastern Kenya is a flat, bush-covered plain, the remainder of the country encompasses pristine beaches, scenic highlands and lake regions, the Great Rift Valley, and the magnificent Mount Kenya.
Although Kenya’s varied environments experience a wide variety of climate conditions, the temperature remains comfortably warm year-round. Much of Kenya experiences heavy rainfall from March through May and, to a lesser extent, from October through December. The best time for most outdoor activities (including safari and mountain climbing) is during the dry season (June-September).
The queen of safari, Kenya is by far the most popular safari destination in the world. Its national parks are as exceptional as their reputations, and the Maasai Mara marks the beginning of the immense Serengeti, known for its cats and colossal herds of migrating wildebeest. Kenya also blesses trekkers with the continent’s second-highest mountain, Mt. Kenya. Capital of Kenya is Nairobi.
Languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages. The currency is the Kenya Shilling (KES), where 1 Kenyan shilling (Ksh) = 100 cents