general information about kenya
Kenya offers beach, safari, nature, scenery, unique lodging, unusual places, cultural encounters, arts, history, heritage and sports. The interpretation of each depends on the culture and region, both inexplicably linked. From mountains and deserts, rainforest, rolling grassland, verdant belt highlands, rivers, islands, the Great Rift Valley and, of course, its postcard lakes, Kenya’s tapestry of magical scenes and ecological gamut changes fast. Safaris have been at the core of Kenya’s tourism for decades. Kenya’s national parks are models for the world and abundant with wildlife; Today, Kenya is home to more than 359 different species of animals and 500 species of birds.
For conservation, Kenya has set aside some 47,674 km2 in 29 National Parks, 27 Reserves, 4 Sanctuaries, and 100+ Wildlife Conservancies. Away from wildest Africa, one door in, for those who love unbridled nature encounters, Kenya offers the adventure purist with trekking in Mount Kenya, ballooning in the Mara and scuba diving in the Indian Ocean. Beyond these gems, the rest of Kenya awaits, with plenty of unsung and untravelled surprises. The sophisti-sport enthusiast, content with less adventure, will be drawn to Kenya’s golf offering. And that’s just the tip of it.
Discover more than 2000 destination around Kenya, many with unrepeatable stories and experiences – from insightful cultural sites to modern heritage, and historical sites with vivid histories. To enjoy the full range of what Kenya has to offer, Abiri Kenya has curated some relevant topics on General Information about Kenya, to help you get started. Hakuna Matata.
the place
Geography I People I Culture
580,367 km2 I East Africa I Horn I Ocean I Mount Kenya I Equator I Victoria I Turkana I Rift Valley II
climate
Climate I Geography I Weather
Two-Maxima Rains I Equator I Semi Arid I Plains I Highlands I Monsoon Winds I Altitude II
flora
Flora and Fauna in Kenya
The Coast I Protected National Reserves I Floral Gamut I Faunal Diversity I Forests I Eco Zones II
health
Malaria I Symptoms I Advise
Brief Malaria Overview I Malaria Hot Zones I Obvious Symptoms I Useful Mitigation I Hints, Tips II
visa
Kenya Visa Information
Kenya Visa Exempt I Visa Applications I Information I Where to Apply I How to Apply II
responsible
Blending in With the Kenyans
Core Identity I Diversity I Social Etiquette I Local Dress Code I Communication I Dining II
the theatre
A General Essence of Safari
Proximity to Nature I The Big Five I The Predators I The Prey I Protective Mimicry I Armour II
the heritage
Game Hunting to Out of Africa
1976 I Game Department I The Trustee of National Parks I The Safari Threats I Wildlife Status II
The migration
10 Unsung Mara Migration Facts
The Gnu I Rough Entry to Mara I Rise to Fame I Plenty of Rooms I Don’t Wear Blues I Tsetse Fly II
outstanding
10 Best Safari Parks I Reserves
Meru I Kenya I Lake Nakuru I Amboseli I Marsabit I Sibiloi I Mara I Nairobi I Tsavo I Kora II
conservation
Wildlife Conservancies in Kenya
110 I Wildlife Conservancies I Concept I Community Involved I Rangeland I Pastoralists I Trust II
capture
No Filters Epic Safari Snaps
Capturing Safari Moments I At Sunset I Exposure I A Law of Thirds I Depth I Composition II
mt. kenya
Mount Kenya One-Day Trip
Breakfast I 2000m I Nanyuki Meru, Timau I Park Gate I 2400 m I Old Moses I 3300m I MCK II
wildlife
A Wildlife Pictographic Gallery
Antelopes I Gazelles I Big Game I Small Mammals I Big Cats I Dog I Monkeys I Chimps I Apes II
birds
Iconic I Colourful I Birds of Prey I Migratory I Waterbird I Wetland I Common Garden I Endangered II
living in
10 Unique Hotels around Kenya
Safari Club I Keekorok I Angama I Swahili Beach I Medina I Tree Hut I Manor I Salt Lick I Rosa II
Camping
Camping in Kenya Checklist
The Camp I Clearing I Cooking I Toiletries I Toolkit I First Aid I On Quick Recipes I Camping Sites II
good reads
Of Authours and Kenyan Stories
Out of Africa I Elephants I West With the Night I Gardener I Dust I Mischief I Bush I Botler I Ghost II
motoring
Basic Motoring Hints for Kenya
A Good Start I Driving Position I Keep Calm I Alert I New Trends I Fuel Saving Tips I The Police II
offroading
A Starter Guide to Off-roading
AWD I 4WD I Gearbox I Mud Patch I Considerations I Join the Clubs I Discovery I Possibilities II
rhino charge
What to Expect, In a Nutshell
The Cause I The Locations I A Growing Community I Passion I Grit I Laughter I Conservation II
festivals
100 Annual Festivals in Kenya
Koroga I Lamu Painters I Safari Rally I Tobongu Lore I Maralal Derby I Lokiriama I Rusinga II
diversity
Kenya’s Cultural Composition
The Root Stem I Bantu I Nilotic I Cushite I Magical Cohesion I A Culture of Diversity I Tolerance II
nairobi
Funny Things Driving in Nairobi
Many Shades of Tint I Toyota Still Rules I Matatus I Graffiti I Grids I Police I Rain Effect II
history
Way Back Kenya Before 1900
Earliest Beginnings I Pre 10th Century I Traders I The Swahili Coast I Afro Migration I Islam II
museums
Regional Museums in Kenya
Rediscover Everything I Past I Present I Future I Exhibitions I Galleries I The Living History II
monuments
Frozen in Time, History Portals
Monumental History I Important Inflections I New Beginnings I A Collective Memory I Perpetuity II
find new possibilities
Granted that successive governments over the past two decades have improved Kenya’s road, airport and railway infrastructure, the 21st Century has indeed reached Kenya by way of technology. It is certainly over-much in evidence as a salient tech-hub for Africa. It also means that do-it-yourself holiday are now practical and relatively easy with a little advance planning.
An early start from Nairobi could bring you to Mombasa in time for a sumptuous Swahili lunch at the Coast of Kenya for under USD 10 aboard the SGR Nairobi-Mombasa Railway. Then suitably fortified and by way of a hop-on hop-off tuk-tuk ride tour the sights of Mombasa. Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu along the coast are also in air contact as well as on good roads.
In a Nutshell
Kenya has a long history of political stability and a heritage as a touring destination, encouraging rather than restricting travel. The infrastructure is progressive, growing destination options in leaps, the best it have ever been, with many modes of travel and comfortable accommodations. Whether you are in on the game safaris, potential mountain climber or nature-lover, a cultural tour is a must. In Kenya you get as warm a welcome as can be had in any part of Africa. A few days at the coast is a tonic in relaxed living, to enjoy the fascinating interests. What’s more, Nairobi is air contact with Wajir, Isiolo, Eldoret, Kisumu and Lodwar with regular flights.