Experience
Kenya
S traddling the equator on the east coast of Africa is Kenya, one of the most scenically
Fast Facts
Country name: Republic of Kenya
Population: 47.4 Million
Capital: Nairobi
Language: English, Swahili, 68 indigenous
languages
Currency: Kenyan Shilling
Time zone: 9 hours behind New Zealand (except
during daylight saving)
Electricity: Current is 240V, 50HZ
Plug is a 3 point round-pin adaptor
Festivals and Events 2017
36
08-12 Mar Lamu Yoga Festival, Lamu
Apr Malindi Cultural Festival, Malindi
Jun Kenya Safari Rugby Sevens, Nairobi
Jul-Oct The Great Wildebeest Migration
Sep Cycle with a Rhino, Lake Nakuru
National Park
Nov Mombasa Carnival, Mombasa
diverse and striking countries on the continent, also home to the nomadic Masai
and Samburu tribal people. Kenya has two major cities, the high-altitude, colonial-
built capital of Nairobi, and the ancient Swahili trading port of Mombasa.
But what really draws the tourists is the great outdoors. Kenya is the heart of safari
country and a visit to its spectacular parks and reserves is a memorable experience,
especially during the period of the Great Wildebeest Migration. In fact, the word
‘safari’ is Swahili for what we know as journey. Swahili is an original East African
native language, and arguably one of the most soothing on the ears.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is the most popular game park in Kenya. This 320
sq km reserve is teeming with wildlife and covers a vast chunk of the Serengeti.
Between July and October, the Great Wildebeest Migration is an enthralling event
for travellers from all over the world. The migration of over 2 million animals have
to cross the Mara River at some point, which is crowded with hungry crocodiles.
Timing is everything in order to view this spectacle!
The Kenyan scenery is fabulous – from the indigo sea and white sand beaches of
Malindi to the grey-green rolling bushveld of Tsavo and Amboseli. The rippling
golden grasslands of the Masai Mara contrast with the great Rift Valley and desolate
volcanic wastelands around northern Lake Turkana. For the more energetic,
Kenya has some excellent mountains to climb, Mt Kenya being one of the most
challenging, and rewarding.