Information

Welcome to exotic Kenya. The country where there is so much to discover and whose sights even attract presidents, celebrities and dignitaries. Kenya’s beautiful National Parks, Archaeological excavation sites, breathtaking beauty, pearly white beaches, green palm trees, tasty cocktails and delicious international cuisine make it an ultimate dream destination.
Kenya offers holidaymakers the most beautiful natural attractions in the world, combined with excellent hotels and lodges. As a visitor you really get value for money. In terms of sights, sounds and smells of timeless Africa, Kenya is extraordinary. Kenya is a suitable destination for many different people and tastes.
You don’t have to be a bird expert to be impressed by the more than a thousand different bird species that you will find in Kenya; nor do you have to be a paleontologist to appreciate Kenya’s rich history; you don’t have to be a professional diver to be impressed by all those different fish and sea creatures swimming around in the sea; nor do you have to be an insect expert to appreciate the beauty of all those colorful and rare butterflies that you find in Kenya. You can find these beautiful butterflies everywhere in gardens, forests and even in the dry areas of northern Kenya.

The amount of wildlife you will find in Kenya is unlike anywhere else in the world. In Kenya you will still find a large concentration of big cats, large mammals and other wild animals in their natural habitat. In Kenya you can spend the night on camping pitches, simple budget accommodations, but also in super luxury hotels and resorts. There is something ‘wild’ for everyone.

Geography. Mount Kenya: In Tsavo East National Park
Kenya covers an area of ​​582,646 km², of which about 13,400 km² is water. The highest mountain in Kenya is Mount Kenya (5199 meters), this is the second highest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The area of ​​Mount Kenya is very fertile and therefore the lower areas are used for agriculture.

Population: Kenya is a country of great ethno-cultural diversity.

Ethnic groups: Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African groups 15% (including the Embu, Kuria, Maasai, Mijikenda, Somalis, Swahili, Turkana and the Yaaku) and non-African groups (Asians, Europeans and Arabs) 1%.[1]

Languages: Kenya is a multilingual country. The official languages ​​are English, introduced during British colonial rule between 1890 and 1964, and Swahili, which has been a lingua franca between different peoples throughout East Africa since several centuries before colonial rule. According to Ethnologue, a total of 61 languages ​​are spoken in Kenya.[11] Almost all of these are languages ​​that originated on the African continent. These languages ​​can be divided into three language families; Bantu languages, which are mainly spoken in the center and southeast of the country, Nilotic languages ​​in the west and Cushitic languages ​​in the northeast.

Religion: Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, Muslim 10%, indigenous religions 10% and others 2%.[1]

Economy: Nairobic Business Center

The main sources of income are exports of coffee and tea, as well as tourism to national parks and game reserves. However, economic growth has been faltering for years. In the early 1990s, the economy even shrank, after which the government decided to liberalize in 1993. Import duties and price controls were abolished. The reforms were supported by the World Bank, the IMF and other donors, and led to a growth of 4.5 percent in 1995 and 1996. After that, growth slumped again. Domestic conflicts damaged the tourism industry.

Primary sector: The majority of the working population works in agriculture, yet this sector only accounts for 26% of the gross national product. Kenya provides itself completely with food excluding grain, yet it can still export a lot abroad.

Kenya’s main agricultural products are: sisal, pyrethrum (raw material for an insecticide), wheat, sugar, pineapple and cotton. In addition to these, there are also relatively new sectors such as flower and vegetable cultivation. Coffee and tea are also grown, but this is mainly for export.

A disadvantage for this sector is the recurring long periods of drought, which means that only 13% of the land can be used effectively all year round.

Education: Since Kenya’s independence in 1963, the education system has been reformed several times. The current system dates back to 1985 and was introduced by President Daniel arap Moi. This 8-4-4 system means that children receive 8 years of primary education, after which they receive the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE). They then attend four years of secondary school, which leads to the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). Subsequently, a four-year university education can be followed. However, some private schools still stick to the system used in the UK.

About 85% of all children in Kenya attend primary education. 75% of all children who successfully complete primary education continue in secondary education. Of all students who obtain their KCSE, 60% (about 38% of the total number of children) continue their studies, for example at vocational schools or public or private universities in the country. some 950,000 Kenyans have studied abroad, mostly in countries such as India, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Russia and Uganda.

There are 48 universities in Kenya. 22 of these are public, and 26 are private. The oldest university in the country is the University of Nairobi, since 1970.

Public transport in Kenya: Matatu

The fauna and flora in Kenya are very varied, there are more than 80 wild mammal species and over a thousand different birds. Many lions, zebras, giraffes, hippos, elephants and leopards can be found in the many nature parks. In the vicinity of Lake Victoria there are many flamingos and rhinoceroses.

Climate: Kenya has a tropical climate. This is influenced by the Indian Ocean and its close location at the equator. As a result, it is dark for almost as long as light, and the days are almost the same length all year round. On the coast there is a constant high temperature and high humidity day and night. As one moves further inland, the air becomes drier and the nights colder.

Precipitation: Precipitation falls in Kenya in two periods, from March to May and late October to December. Precipitation usually falls in short downpours or during a storm that is clearly predictable due to the rapid contraction of the clouds. It can also rain for a long time in Kenya. In October 2011, almost 1000mm of rain fell in one week.

The unpaved roads often turn into mud puddles after a rain shower. The roads are so bad that many potholes are formed, which is bad for the work traffic that is hindered by the potholes.

The Kenyan city of Kericho is known as the place on earth where it hails the most: on average on 132 days a year.