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The height of summer is an excellent time to spot wildlife. On the coast, the days are hot and sunny.
Still hot weather and dry; great for wildlife spotting.
'Long rains', but game viewing is still good. Clearest seas for snorkelling and diving.
Long rains. Coastline very hot. Not the best time.
Long rains. Coastline very hot. Not the best time.
Start of the dry season. Anticipation of the arrival of the Great Migration into the Masai Mara.
The weather is temperate and dry. The first herds arrive into the Masai Mara from Tanzania.
The Great Migration in the Masai Mara providing lots of action at the river crossings as countless wildebeest and zebra gather and cross the Mara.
Best wildlife viewing with the Great Migration.
Migration is over. Resident population remains. Other destination in Kenya are great. Clearest seas for snorkelling and diving
Rains are starting as it gets hotter. Clearest seas for snorkelling and diving
Hot and wet, but good for bird watching.
Kenya has two official languages, English and Swahili.
Swahili is one of the major languages used in Kenya and is spoken by nearly the whole population. The Swahili language is incorporated into the Kenyan education system and is a mandatory subject taught up to high school level of education. English is also an official language of Kenya and was introduced in the country after Kenya became a British colony in the 19th century. English is the primary language used in formal documents and conversations in the country, including the media. The Kenyan education system is primarily based on English with the language being used as the language of instruction in all the main subjects except Swahili.
Besides these two languages, Kenya has over 40 different tribes speaking over 80 different dialects. The most dominant of the indigenous languages are Kikuyu, Dholuo and Luhya. Kikuyu is the language of the Kikuyu people, Kenya's largest ethnic group. The kikuyu people are reputed for their business skills, so much so that Kikuyu people run the majority of Kenya’s businesses. As a result, other business people have had to adapt and learn Kikuyu as a matter of necessity, since meetings are often ran in kikuyu language. Luhya language is native to the Luhya ethnic group whose members are predominantly found in the western region of the country. The total number of native Luhya speakers in Kenya is estimated to be 1.2 million people.
Dholuo is the language of the Luo people, the third most populous ethnic group. The language is thought to be very melodious.
Christianity is the most dominant religion in the country and was introduced to Kenya when missionaries settled near Mombasa in 1844. About 82% of the population are Christians. Christianity is very present in the lives of Kenyans. Going to church on Sunday is very common as churches are found all throughout the country. It is also common to see religious icons and sacred spaces in people's homes, offices or vehicles. One central element of Christianity in Kenya is the use of music, rhythm, dancing and singing during worship time.
Islam first arrived in Kenya in the 8th century when Arab Muslim traders settled in the coastal ports along the east coast. The Swahili language and people emerged as a result of the intermarriage between the local people (the Bantu) and Arab Muslims who moved to Kenya. Today, about 11% of the population are Islams, and it is the second most widely practised religion in Kenya. The largest number of Muslims in Kenya are found in Mombasa and the neighboring coastal regions, as well as the northeastern regions of Kenya. Nairobi also has numerous mosques and a notable Muslim following.
Other religions are Hinduism, buddhism and traditional African religions.
c 3.3 million BC - Evidence of some of the earliest human tools have been found in Kenya, suggesting that it was the cradle of humanity from which descendants moved out to populate the world.
600 Arabs begin settling coastal areas, over the centuries developing trading stations which facilitated contact with the Arab world, Persia and India.
1830 Omani Arabs consolidate control of coast.
1895 Formation of British East African Protectorate.
1920 East African Protectorate becomes crown colony of Kenya - administered by a British governor.
1944 Kenyan African Union (KAU) formed to campaign for African independence. First African appointment to legislative council.
1947 Jomo Kenyatta becomes KAU leader.
1961 Kenyatta is released from prison after 9 years and assumes presidency of Kanu.
1963 Kenya gains independence, with Kenyatta as prime minister.
1964 Republic of Kenya formed. Kenyatta becomes president and Odinga vice-president.
1974 Kenyatta re-elected.
1982 Kenya officially declared a one-party state by National Assembly.
1991 Special conference of Kanu agrees to introduce a multi-party political system.
2002 Elections. Mwai Kibaki wins, ending Daniel Arap Moi's 24-year rule and Kanu's four decades in power.
2004 Kenyan ecologist Wangari Maathai wins the Nobel Peace Prize.
2010 New constitution designed to limit the powers of the president and devolve power to the regions approved in referendum.
2012 March - Oil discovered.
2013 March - Uhuru Kenyatta, the son of Kenya's first president, wins presidential election with just over 50% of the vote.
2017 A new multi-billion-dollar railway line linking Mombasa to the capital Nairobi is opened - the country's biggest infrastructure project since independence
2017 President Kenyatta is declared winner of the presidential election in August as well as the re-run in October.
With its diversity of culture and ethnics, the Kenyan food is a kaleidoscope of flavours. It has the influence of the British, Arabs, Indians and is fusioned with indigenous cooking, making Kenyan food definitely worth a taste.
The most popular dish in Kenya is Nyama Choma, which is roasted beet or goat, the most common meats eaten by Kenayans. Nyama Choma is often served with Ugali, which is the main staple of Kenyan cuisine. It is a semi-hard cake made of maize (corn) flour or millet flour. It is a favourite meal for all Kenyans and usually accompanies fish, meat, meat stews, sukuma wiki or other greens. Kenyans also eat a lot of vegetables which are plentiful in the country. Common vegetables in Kenya are kale, spinach, cabbage, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, avocados and other leafy greens. Kenya also grows a variety of fruits, plump mangoes, oranges, tree tomatoes, bananas, plums, grapes and passion fruit to name but a few.
As tea and coffee are grown in Kenya, these are the most common beverages across the country, although tea is the local favourite. Tusker, a Kenyan beer, is the relaxing beer of choice for most Kenyans.
The current population of Kenya is 52,226,776 as of July 2019, based on the latest United Nations estimates. The population density 92 per Km2 (238 people per mi2). 27.1 % of the population is urban. The median age in Kenya is 19.2 years, with a life expectancy of 67.03 years old. The fertility rate as at 2018 is 4.03 children per woman with a maternal mean age of 19.2 years at the time of first birth.
Kenya’s population consists of indigenous Kenyans (Black people), Europeans, Asians and Arabs. There are 42 ethnic groups in Kenya, making the population very diverse. Each ethnic group has its own language and culture. The Maasai are the most well known ethnic group due to their long preserved culture as well as involvement with Kenyan tourism. However, the Kikuyu people are the largest ethnic group of the country. The Asian community are mainly Indians, descendants of labourers, who live in closed communities and are also among the most successful business people in Kenya. Arabs live mostly along the coast line and are descendants of Yemeni, Omani and Persian traders. Then Kenyan Europeans, mostly British descendants, are very low key people, with most of them having large pieces of lands in the Rift Valley and active in agriculture and ranching.
Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya, East Africa’s most cosmopolitan city with a vibrant culture, great places to eat and an exciting nightlife. At its doorstep is Nairobi National Park, a large game reserve known for breeding endangered black rhinos and home to giraffes, zebras and lions. Next to it is a well-regarded elephant orphanage operated by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Kenya- Africa. Together with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania it forms Africa’s most diverse, incredible and most spectacular eco-systems. The Great Migration of the Wildebeest is a bucket list experience and best time is July to October. Also visit the villages of Maasai people, a magical cultural experience.
Originally named the ‘Great Rift Valley’ by British Explorer John Walter Gregory, the Rift Valley is a geographic stretch extending 6000km across the Middle East and Africa from Jordan to Mozambique. Many activities can be done here among which are hiking, trekking, game viewing, guided walks around the crater lakes, picnic lunch, bird watching, golfing and community visits.
Mombasa is a great coastal melting pot. It is an island connected to the mainland by bridges and ferries. Rich in history, the town is a fascinating commercial and cosmopolitan port town. It is said that the true heart of Mombasa is found in the exotic old town, among the narrow winding streets and Arab architecture. The air here is always heavy with the scent of spices.
Snowcapped, Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro. The scenery surrounding this designated World Heritage Site is breath-taking. It is pristine wilderness with lakes, wildlife, and unique montane vegetation and finally one of the world’s rarest sights, equatorial snow. It is also regarded as the home of Ngai, god of the local Kikuyu people.
Lake Victoria is the largest tropical lake in the world. This massive lake, commonly known as Nyanza, forms a natural boundary with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. It is also the source of the famous Nile River. Not quite popular, it is certainly a visit for its untouched vegetation and lively cities around.
Tusker, local Kenyan beer, is highly enjoyed by the local Kenyans. Otherwise tea, known as ‘Chai’ is the absolute favourite of locals over coffee, served the British way with milk and sugar. In the villages, people tend to brew their own drinks resulting in pompe ‘bush beer’ or mnazi ‘palm wine’. Good to know, not worth a try though.
Ugali and nyama choma are the standard to try in Kenya. Ugali is a staple made out of maize and looks like a cake. Nyama choma is open fire grilled meat, beet or goat normally.
Party…we have the vibes and love a good party. Or sports, football or rugby. Or if there is a concert or an event. Or shopping… so many fun things to do in Kenya.
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