Kenya

Kenya is found in east Africa with a coastline on the Indian ocean with the president known as Uhuru Kenyatta, the capital city called Nairobi, and a dialing code of +254. It has a total population of 53.77 million and they use Kenyan lings as their currency. It covers 580,367 square kilometers. Kenya’s terrain rises from allowing coastal plain on the Indian Ocean to mountains and plateaus at its center. Most Kenyans live in the highlands, where Nairobi the capital sits at an altitude of 5500 feet.

Kenya has 50 national parks and reserves, the Great Rift Valley was formed more than 25 million years ago, there are over 60 languages spoken in Kenya, and the first woman to win a noble peace prize was from Kenya.

Kenya also has the second-highest mountain in Africa and its national animal is the East African lion.

Every contact between people in Kenya start with a greeting, even when entering a shop.

Tribes

Kenya has a great diversity in ethnicity, languages and customs and lifestyle which differ from tribe to tribe and region to region. The three major tribes of Kenya are the Bantu, Nilote and Cushite. Each one has a variety of sub-tribes which all are unique in their particular culture.

Bantu ethnic group; This is the biggest and widely spread over various regions. Their main occupation is farming. They include the kikuyu who make up the largest contingent [central Kenya] and they grow crops such as coffee, maize and sugar. Their close relatives are the Meru, [Mount Kenya and Embu tribes, then the Luhya [west], the Kamba tribe [ the east] and the Kasii [rift valley] who are known for their carving and basketry, followed lastly by the Taita who are known for maiming of gemstones, the Misikenda and the Swahili people [the coastal region]

The Nilote ethnic group. They are found on Lake Victoria in the rift valley and make up the 2^nd largest population group in Kenya. The Luo people and fishermen of the river Lake Nilote group. The Maasai, Samburu and Turkana tribes are nomadic herdsman and warriors, forming the plain Nilote group. The Turkana also practice metal work and curving.

The Kalenjin people reside in the west and are known around the world for their athletic abilities they form the highland Nilote group.

Cushite group. They make up the smallest group of Kenyan tribes and are found in the arid regions of the northern frontier [east of lake Turkana]. This tribe include the Somali, Rendile, Borana and Oromo. They are mainly Normadic herdsman and follow Islamic principles although they are also known for their entrepreneurial abilities.

Weather and Climate

Most places experience average temperatures of 85^oF (29⁰c) or more , while annual precipitation is only about 10 inches (250mm) in the north and less than 20 inches (500mm) in the south.

Kenya lies on the equator and has a pleasant, tropical climate, but there are large regional climate variations influenced by several factors, including altitude. Kenya is hot and humid along the coast, temperate in the west and south west, where there mountains, and plateaus and finally hot and dry in the north and east.

Best Time to visit

if from July to September during the country’s dry season, which also coincides with the great migration of wild beast and zebra. The rainy seasons are also good times to travel because of fewer visitors and you can admire the striking emerald vegetation.

Culture.

Kenya uses Swahili as the national language, while the official language is English. Within urban centers, people mostly speak English or Swahili. However, there are over forty other indigenous African languages spoken by Kenyans, especially in the countywide or within people from the same ethnic group.

Family life

Their family extends from nuclear to extended like cousins , uncles and aunts as it gives them a sense of belonging and security and so, upbringing a child in Kenya , uncles and aunts play a large role in their day to day daily lives  and may make a visit without prior notice  and expect a helping hand when need.

Dinner is an important meal as it brings together all family members. Religious services are communal experience for families. Household’s chores are traditionally made by women. Sometimes men try to help in the house but it’s not very common.

Kenya culture is very communal in nature as they share everything from clothes, food and even space.in most. In most times, they don’t understand the concept of private time and it’s uncommon to stay alone in ones room for long periods of time except to sleep.

Food.

There’s no singular dish that represents all Kenya’s wide cuisine. Different communities have their own native food, but the foods that are universally eaten in Kenya are ugali, [maize, Sukuma wiki [vegetables] and nyama choma [roasted beef]

Customs

With greetings, every contact between people in Kenya start with a greeting, even when entering a shop, you shake hands and make polite small talk with the shop keeper. When making inquiries, try not to phrase your query in the negative [isn’t the bus leaving?] because the answer will often be “yes” [it isn’t leaving]

It’s good to be aware of the left-hand rule; traditionally, the left land is reserved for unhygienic acts and the right for eating and touching or passing things to others.

Don’t be put off by apparent shiftiness in eye contact, especially if you are talking to someone much younger than you. It’s normal for those differing to others to avoid direct gaze.

Its best to keep your hair fairly short or tied up [or wear a scarf] because long, loose hair is seen as extra cordially provocative, doubly so if its blonde.

Kenyan entertainment

Safari rallies are very popular, if infrequent sporting events, over Easter Kenyans can enjoy the Marlboro/Epson safari rally. Sunday afternoon in Nairobi can be spent at the Ngon racetrack watching betting on horse racing.

Transportation means

The Kenyan road network is very efficient and covers the vast majority of the country and all major cities and that’s why most public transport moves on wheels, and road transport accounts for about 80% of the national internal passenger traffic. Travelers can move between towns on buses and coaches. Most public transport in Kenya is dominated by what is locally known as paratransit, made of privately owned and operated vehicles. boda-b0da, taxis matatus which means 3 cents, Rickshawa [tourists who have been to south east  Asia will be used to tuk –tuk services. Train is also there and one way ticket costs between KEs 1000-3000 [$10 -30] depending on the class and journey. Reservations can be made online.

National Parks

Masai –mara reserve

It’s located at the south west of Kenya, merged with Serengeti national park, and its a home of around 95species of mammals and 570bird species.

Best time to visit; July – October

Major attractions; Ol kinyesi conservancy, Olare orok conservancy mara triangle, mara river.

Must experiences; witness the wild beast migration, jungle safari lodges include; elephant pepper camp, enkewa camp, mara bush camp.

How to reach there; The National reserve in Kenya is at a distance of 270kms from Nairobi city which usually takes 4-5 hrs. by road and 40-45 minutes by flight.

Amboseli national park.

Resting at foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, the Amboseli is one of the best national parks in Kenya. The signature sight of this park is sighting hundreds of Gigantia elephants with big tusks. Along with this, the reserve is blessed with mesmerizing views which can be witnessed in the dusk and dawn.

Best time to visit; July- September, January and February

Major attractions; elephant research; elephant research camp, lake Amboseli, Sinet delta.

Must experiences; hiking at mt Kilimanjaro, visit to the observation hill, meet the Masai tribe .

How to reach; the national park is easily accessible from road. The road from Nairobi to Namanya is quit rough whereas from Namanya  to Meshanani gate leads to experience potholes in the journey and the flight also connects from Nairobi to Amboseli.

Tsavo national park.

It is one of the oldest and largest national park in Kenya .it has a wild expanse which covers rocky landscapes, extinct volcanoes, and sparse grasslands. It is segregated in two parts, named; the Tsavo east national park and Tsavo west national park.

Best time to visit; June –October, Jan – Feb

Major attractions; Tsavo east, Epiya chapeyu tented safari camp.

Must experiences; Nguli rhino sanctuary, Mazima springs , Ngulia hills, lake Jipe.

Accommodation lodges include; sera safari lodge, voi wildlife lodge, voyager ziwani camp.

How to reach there; one can take a personal transport or bus from Mombasa, Nairobi and Malindi. Chartered flights can also be used which will land at one of the six airstrips in the south or 13 airstrips in the north.

Aberdare National park

Resting at the cliff of the aberdare mountain range, this national park was created to protect the slopes and moorland of the mountain. The high altitude makes this area misty and prone to frequent rain. Despite being at a height, this park shelters the second largest herds of the endangered species of black rhinos. Apart from this, many Kenyan animals can be spotted here like the African elephants, black leopard and bongo antelope.

Best time to visit; June- September

Major attractions; Thompson falls, Kereita cave and water falls, Soysamba conservancy.

Must experiences; bird watching, trout fishing, visit to the lesanatiman and kinanyoppeaks, hiking the elephant hills and twin hills.

Accommodation; the ark lodge, outspan golf and country club.

How to reach; the aberdare national park is at a distance of 160km from Nairobi city. Whereas the easy routes to reach the park is from the town of Nyahururu and Naivasha.

Lake Nakuru national park.

This park will take you on a ride to witness different species of birds from a close distance. It has lake Nakuru which is crowded with flamingos and endemic wildlife breeds during the peak season.

Best time to visit; June – March

Major attractions; Lake Nakuru, hyrax hill prehistoric site, Makala water fall.

Most experiences; watching flamingos on lake Nakuru, wildlife safari.

Lodges; lake Nakuru lodge, Sarova lion hill lodge

How to reach there; the park is located at a distance of 156 kms from north west of Nairobi. The easiest access to the park is via the main gate which is 4kms away from the Nakuru town.

Mt Kenya national park.

This is a second tallest mountain in Africa with a height of 5,199m, surrounded with pristine views of the lakes, tarns, glaciers and various endangered species animals and unique montane plantation.

Best time to visit; December –March

Major attractions; Mount Kenya, David sheldrick wildlife trust.

Must experiences; mountain climbing, camping and carving.

Lodges; Kinondoni Cangsite, Austrian head campsite, Lake North hut.

How to reach; the park is located at a distance of 175kms from Nairobi. It can be reached on nyanyuki-isiolo road via sirimontrack or nyeri – nyanyukiroad near naro mora.

Hells gate national park

This unusual name of the park derived from the geothermal activities which happens in the area. A spectacular and remarkable area settled amidst the Great Rift Valley. This place boasts high towered cliffs, water –grouped gorges, an explored volcano and geothermal steams which makes this park one of the most atmospheric regions among all the national parks in Kenya

Best time to visit; June –March

Major attractions; the olkaria geothermal station, the Mervyn carnally raptor hide.

Must experiences; nature tails, raptor nesting in cliffs, wildlife viewing, hot springs

Lodges; Endachata campsite, Naiburta campsite, Oldubai campsite.

How to reach there; this park is easily accessible via tarmac road which connect to Nairobi passing via Naivasha town. The Naivasha airstrip is also an easy access to reach the park via flight.

Nairobi national park.

It is named as the world’s wildlife capital. This park I just a few minutes’ drive from the Nairobi central business district, a fascinating blend of the backdrop of the park. This park has diverse range of endangered species of animals like rhinos, hyena’s, lions along with this, it also sheltered for variety of birds.

Best time to visit; June – September

Major attractions; Nairobi Mosque, galleria mall, ivory, burning site museum.

Must experiences; picnic, camping, sight of black rhino, walking trails at hippo pools.

Lodges around; Twiga campsite

How to reach; the national park is located at a distance of 10kms from the Nairobi city centre. The nearest airport from the park are Jomo Kenyatta, international airport and Wilson airport.

Samburu national reserve

The name of the park is derived from the Samburu tribes of Jenya who were settled in this area for a long time. With no fences around, this park is almost an open savannah which shelters rare species of animals and birds like the long-necked gerenuk, grevy’s zebra and beisa oryx.

Best time to visit; December- March and July –October

Major attractions; Samburu national reserve, Shaba national reserve, buffalo springs national reserve.

Must experiences; wildlife safaris, birdwatching and Samburu cultural towers

Lodges; Sambura spa lodge, Samburu serena lodge, Sarova shaba.

How to reach there; the park is located at the distance of 345kms from Nairobi whereas the reserve is also accessible by road via isiolo and archers post. There are also charted flights connecting from Nairobi to Samburu national park.

Shimba hills national reserve

Just in the vicinity of Mombasa or Dian beach rests this national reserve rich in green vegetation and forested landscape. Apart from being enriched, with natures blessing, the reserve also hosts the African elephant in Kenya.

Best time to visit; June – August

Major attractions; Sheldrick falls, Mwalungunje forest

Must experiences; guided night tours, souvenir shopping, spotting cheetahs and African elephants.

How to reach there; The national reserve is located 56kms away from Mombasa which can be accessed by road from Diani.