Click on an African destination to find out more:

Kenya profile

profile

The Republic of Kenya

Kenya is in East Africa, bordered by Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the northeast, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, and Sudan to the northwest, with the Indian Ocean running along the southeast border. The capital city is Nairobi. The country is named after Mount Kenya, a very significant landmark and the second among the highest mountain peaks of Africa.  

Situated on the equator on Africa's east coast, Kenya has been described as "the cradle of humanity". In the Great Rift Valley palaeontologists have discovered some of the earliest evidence of man's ancestors. Modern Kenya is a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President was both the head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

Geography

Kenya is a large country (582,646 km²) where the from the coast on the Indian Ocean the Low plains rise to central highlands. The highlands are bisected by the Great Rift Valley; a fertile plateau in the east. The Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa. The highlands are the site of the highest point in Kenya (and the second highest in Africa): Mount Kenya, which reaches 5,199 metres  and is also the site of glaciers. Climate varies from tropical along the coast to arid in the interior. Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m) can be seen from Kenya to the South of the Tanzanian border.

Wild life

Kenya has considerable land area of wildlife habitat, including the Masai Mara, where Blue Wildebeest and other bovids participate in a large scale annual migration. Up to 250,000 blue wildebeest perish each year in the long and arduous movement to find forage in the dry season. The "Big Five" animals of Africa can also be found in Kenya: the lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros and elephant. A significant population of other wild animals, reptiles and birds can be found in the national parks and game reserves in the country.

Climate

It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast parts of the country. There is however a lot of rain between March and May, and moderate rain in October and November. The temperature remains high throughout these months.

Tourism

With its scenic beauty and abundant wildlife, Kenya is one of Africa's major safari destinations, with more and more people enjoying Kenya holidays each year.

• Population: 38.5 million (2008)
• Capital: Nairobi
• Area: 582,646 sq km (224,961 sq miles)
• Major languages: Swahili, English
• Major religion: Christianity
• Monetary unit: 1 Kenya shilling = 100 cents
• Internet domain: .ke
• International dialling code: +254
• Voltage: 230V
• Plug size: British 13amp three pin plug

  sources:  Oxford History of the British Empire, Wikipedia, BBC)

Enjoy the trip of a lifetime with Kenya holidays, South Africa holidays, Botswana holidays, Namibia holidays and specialist safari holidays with Visions of Africa.