A Visit to Kenya

Your first visit to Kenya will expose you to so much that you are yet to know about this magnificent country. First thing first, what exactly is Kenya? Kenya is the 47^th largest country in world with a global cover of 580,367 KM², it is located in East Africa. Kenya was declared an independent country on December 12^th 1964 (commemorated every December 12^th as Jamuhuri Day) after gaining its freedom from the British on December 12^th 1963. The Kenyan currency is shillings (Ksh) which converts to US$1=Ksh 74 less or more depending on the season of business.

The equator almost divides Kenya into two equal halves horizontally, hence Kenya experiences basically tropical climate. The inland is temperate, the coastal region experiences hot and humid conditions while the northern and northeastern parts experience dry and hot conditions. Throughout the year, Kenya experiences plenty of sunshine; therefore summer clothes are worn almost all year long. The February-March season is the hottest, while June-August season experience long rains making it the wettest and coldest. October-December season experiences an interchange of short rains and sunshine. 

Kenya borders with the Indian ocean at the coastal region (south eastern part), to the north it borders with Ethiopia, Somali is to the north eastern part, Tanzania to the South, Uganda to the west while Sudan is to the North western part.

Kenyan has numerous archaeological sites which has earned it the name; The Cradle Land of Man. An excavation exercise conducted by University of Utah and National Museums of Kenya in Lokitaung Gorge, a site near Lake Turkana between June and August of 2004, saw a discovery of a giant crocodile fossil that dated back 200 million years to the Mesozoic Era. Other sites that have produced fossils that have made a significant impact on the study of evolution and species include; Olorgesailie, Hyrax Hill, Koobi Fora, Ruins of Gedi, Lake Turkana and many others.

During your visit to Kenya, you will not want to miss a visit to the many wildlife reserves and game parks that are in Kenya. A visit to Masai Mara leaves many craving for more. A spectacular event occurs between Masai Mara and Serengeti (Tanzanian national park) annually, the migration of the wildebeests, it is one of the wonders of the world. This migration occurs between June and September every year and involves more than two million wildebeest, zebras and other animal species. Of these, more than 250,000 of them perish per migration in diverse way; from predators, hunger, climatic calamities, swept by the rivers and many other ways. Only the strong survive to see the next generation. Masai Mara also hosts all the big five animals in Africa; Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhinoceros and Elephant.

Other thousands of different animal species can be found when making your visit to Kenya. Kenya has many other game reserves, game parks and orphanages and animal sanctuaries. The flamingos of Lake Nakuru also contributes greatly to the tourism activities in Kenya. Imagine seeing a pink sea of beautiful birds, the flamingos, that is what one experiences when he or she visits Lake Nakuru. Lake Nakuru also hosts several animal species including but not limited to; the white rhino and baboons on the famous baboons’ cliff and others. Nairobi National Park,Tsavo, Amboseli, Hell’s Gate, Lambwe Valley are just but a few of the many wildlife sceneries.

A visit to Kenya is incomplete if you do not visit the Kenyan coastal region. Almost the entire coastal region touches the Indian ocean and this makes it the major tourism attraction site in Kenya. The sea and land breeze will take your soul to a journey of the unknown; the sun and sand beaches make the visit more interesting as one walk on the warm sand, and receive the sun at optimal rays. Have you heard of Fort Jesus? The solid rock of Fort Jesus hosts many beautiful artifacts that were being used during the colonial times in the coastal region. From currency to dressing, from Weapons to utensils. all is found in Fort Jesus.

The Kenyan culture is significantly held on by the Masai community, who still practice their cultural activities up to dates fully, other communities have move on into embracing the western cultures but still many practice some aspects of their culture. Of all the people in Kenya you will never forget the welcoming attitude of the coastal people. The soapstone activities of the Kisii people also play a role in the Kenyan economy. Imagine whatever you want, and you will have it on the stone. 

Kenya is the proud host of the second highest mount in Africa, Mt Kenya., with a peak of 5,199 meters. There used to be a full cap of snow on Mount Kenya a few years back, but due to climate change, the amount has reduced.

The ICT sector in Kenya has seen major improvement especially after the launch of the fiber optic. People from overseas can now access and ‘travel’ in Kenya online, make booking and everything else that there is to do with a visit to Kenya. There is more to a visit to Kenya than just what this article talks about. To simply know it all personally, just make a visit to Kenya. Give your loved ones that special gift of a trip to Kenya, The Land of many Lands.