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Kenya lies across the Equator, with some of the oldest and best-known National Parks in Africa and a beautiful Indian Ocean coastline. For 40 years Kenya has been judged the leader in classic safaris, and visitors can enjoy an outstanding combination of breathtaking scenery, glorious tropical beaches and hospitable, friendly people.
This safari can commence either in Kenya or in Tanzania - and both can finish with an add-on trip to the magnificent Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Kenya in Brief:
From the dramatic escarpments of the famous Great Rift Valley to lush tropical rain forests, snow-capped mountains and white palm-fringed beaches, Kenya is a breathtaking land. Its wildlife reserves cover 8% of its surface area, one of the highest percentages in Africa.
The Great Rift Valley runs through the northwest of the country, between the huge navigable freshwater lakes Rudolph and Victoria. From fossils found in the valley, it is believed that Kenya could be the cradle of humankind.
Capital: Nairobi - with main port being Mombasa.
Currency: Kenyan Shillings (KES).
Size: 582 650 sq. km - of which 13 400 sq. kilometres is water.
Population: 33.5 million.
Languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), and approximately 72 other indigenous languages.
Economy: Diverse, free-market economy with a large tourism sector and its main exports being tea and coffee grown in the fertile central highlands. An oil industry is developing.
Climate: Varies from tropical along coast to arid in the interior.
History: Obtained independence from the British in 1963. Before that, colonisers were German and Arabic, with the Sultan of Zanzibar owning a large swathe of coastal territory.
Highest point: Mount Kenya, 5200 metres, with permanent snow and small glaciers.
To learn more about Kenya, visit the official tourism website:
www.tourism.go.ke or www.kws.org
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