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| About Kenya |
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Kenya is a country of wildlife, landscapes, lakes, tropical coastline, culture, history and friendly welcoming people. Kenya has geographical diversity from snow-capped peaks, a Rift Valley with extinct volcanoes and hot springs, wide open plains, forest and coastline with reefs and magnificent beaches. A well developed tourist infrastructure with hotels, lodges, campsites an effecient transport system and lots of activities make Kenya a popular tourist destination.
Kenya has a land area of just over 500,000 square kilometers and the equator cuts through the middle. To the east is the Indian ocean, to the south Tanzania and Uganda in the west. The north borders Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan. The capital is Nairobi and the other major towns are Mombassa on the coast and Nakuru in the centre and Kisumu in the west on the shores of lake Victoria.
The coast is hot and humid all year round and consists of beaches, coral cliffs and reefs, creeks and coral islands. The area between the coast and Nairobi is dry and arid and climbs up to the higher lands |
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Overview
Kenya, the land where safari was born, is also known as the cradle of mankind - evidence of some of the earliest human settlements has been found here, suggesting that it was the birthplace of humanity from which descendents moved out to populate the world. However, it 's the boundless wilderness and big game of this region that has long attracted adventure seekers from all over the globe. No other African country can boast such an incredible range of scenery, unique geographical features and species.
A safari in Kenya is an extraordinary holiday for any wildlife lover, no matter your budget or the level of adventure you're looking for. There 's no end of things to explore; from the highlands of central Kenya to the great Rift valley; from the elephants of Amboseli wallowing in a small watering hole, to the vast shores of Lake Victoria, the second largest lake in the world; and from the spectacular views of Africa 's highest point, Mount Kilimanjaro, down to a coast of shimmering white sands along the Indian Ocean.
Soak up the wonders of nature while camping under the stars out in the bush, hundreds of miles away from civilization, or relax in luxury at one of the lodges scattered throughout the many game reserves and national parks of this magical country. Whether you're walking, driving, or even bobbing your way across the plains atop a camel, you'll discover the scents, sounds, and footprints of the bush, as you enjoy the sight of a hyena at full gallop, weaving behind the adrenaline-powered run of a gazelle, or a mighty battle as buffalo bulls fight over territory.
If you venture on a Kenyan safari during July or August, perhaps the best way to check out the wildlife is by hot air balloon. Few places offer a better vantage point from which to witness the amazing phenomenon that is the annual wildebeest migration across the plains of the Maasai Mara, when millions of hooves thunder northwards in search of sweeter grazing during the drier months in the south.
The Maasai Mara Reserve, 200 sq miles of rolling hills, woods and acacia trees watered by the Mara and Talek rivers, opens onto the Serengeti plains of Tanzania. Home to the famously independent and traditional herdsmen, no trip to Kenya would be complete without a visit to Masai Mara. They regard themselves not just as residents of this area but as much a part of the life of the land, as the land is part of their lives.
A visit to Kenya is a veritable life-changing experience filled with an abundance of wildlife, including elephants, zebras, black rhino, lions, leopards and various antelope. One visit alone will be enough to make you understand Earnest Hemmingway 's words, "unknowable, unimaginable, unbelievable... and completely unforgettable." |
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Location
and Topography
Kenya lies astride the equator on the eastern coast of Africa. It
is a medium-sized country by continental standards, covering an
area of about 586,600km sq. Inland water bodies cover some 10,700km
sq, the bulk of this in Lakes Victoria and Turkana. Kenya is bordered
by Somalia and the Indian Ocean to the east, Ethiopia to the north,
Sudan to the northwest, Uganda to the west and Tanzania to the south.
The coastline, about 550km long, faces the Indian Ocean. Kenya
has tremendous topographical diversity, including glaciated mountains
with snow-capped peaks, the Rift Valley with its scarps and volcanoes,
ancient granitic hills, flat desert landscapes and coral reefs .
and islets. However, the basic configuration is simple. Coastal
plains give way to and inland plateau that rises gradually to the
central highlands, which are the result of the relatively recent
volcanic activity associated with the formation of the rift valley.
To the west the land drops again to the Nyanza plateau that surrounds
the Kenyan sector of Lake Victoria; and to the north, to the rugged
low country around Lake Turkana.
The coastline is broken and composed of beaches, coral cliffs and
reefs, creeks and numerous offshore coral islands. Inland, a mainly
level but narrow coastal plain lies on sedimentary rocks, with some
igneous intrusions such as Dzombo and Mrima. Beyond low rolling
hills lies the so-called Nyika Plateau, mainly on sedimentary rocks.
This landscape covers almost the entire northeastern sector of the
country, on very gradual slopes.
The Great Rift Valley, with its associated escarpments and mountains,
is a major feature. It runs the length of the country from Lake
Turkana in the north to Lake Natron on the southern border with
Tanzania. The central portion of the rift is raised, with the Aberdare
Mountains and Mt Kenya to
the east and the Mau Escarpmentand Cherangani Hills to the west.
The northern and southernmost sectors of the rift are low-lying,
arid and rugged, with spectacular volcanic landforms.
The region west of the central highlands is characterized by Precambrian
metamorphic rocks and linear basement hills. Mt Elgon, an old, eroded
volcano, intrudes through the ancient shield on the Uganda border.
The lake Victoria basin generally has a gently sloping landscape
and an eroded
surface that exposes granitic outcrops.
Isolated hills and mountains, such as Mt Kulal, Mt Nyiro and Mt
Marsabit, are scattered to the north and east of the central highlands.
The Taita Hills, rising from the southeastern plateau, are ancient
fault-block formation, the northernmost of a chain of isolated peaks
(the'eastern arc') that stretches south to Malawi through eastern
and southern Tanzania. They sit almost cheek-by-jowl with one of
the region's recent volcanic ranges, the Chyulu Hills.
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Climate
Kenya is generally a dry country; over75% of its area is classed
as arid of semi-arid with only around 20% being viable for agriculture.
Inland, rainfall and temperatures are closely related to altitude
changes, with variations induced by local topography. Generally
the climate is warm and
humid at the coast, cool and humid in the central highlands, and
hot and dry in the north and east.
Across most of the country, rainfall is strongly seasonal,although
its pattern, timing and extent vary greatly from place to place
and from year to year. The relatively wet coastal belt along the
Indian Ocean receives 1,000 mm or more rain per year. Most rain
falls from April to July as a result of the southeasterly monsoon.
Another moist belt occurs in the Lake Victoria basin and its surrounding
scarps and uplands, mainly due to moist westerly winds originating
over the Atlantic Ocean and Congo Basin. Except immediately adjacent
to the Lake, rainfall occurs reliably from March to November.
The
upland plateaux adjacent to this area are less influenced by the
lake, and rain falls mainly in March-May and July-September. In
much of the central highlands, there is also a bimodal rainfall
pattern, with rainy seasons in March-May and October-December. The
remaining 70% or so
of the land area falls into the 'arid lowlands' zone (NRI 1996),
with rainfall averaging less than 500 mm and varying greatly from
year to year. Rainfall peaks in most areas are in November and April.
Some 30% of this zone can be classed as semi-desert, with rainfall
averaging less than 300 mm per year and evaporation often greater
that 3,000 mm. Except for the coast and Lake Victoria region, altitude
is the main determinant of precipitation. The high-attitude areas
(over c. 1,500 m) in the central Kenya highlands usually have substantial
rainfall, reaching over 2,000 mm per year in parts of the Mau Escarpment.
However, topography also has a major influence, with strong rain-shadow
effects
east of Mt. Kenya and the Aberdare mountains. Here, even areas higher
than 1,800 m may be relatively dry. In the arid lowlands the peaks
of isolated mountains attract cloud and mist, and may support very
different vegetation to that of the surrounding plains.
Differences in temperature vary predictably with altitude. Frost
occurs regularly at 3,000 m and occasionally down to at least 2,400
m, and there is permanent snow and ice on top of Mt. Kenya at 5,200
m. The hottest areas are in the arid northeast, and west of Lake
Turkana, where mena maximum temperatures average over 34 C.
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Water
Resources
All Kenya's
major river drain from the central highlands, divided by the rift
into those flowing westwards into Lake Victoria and those flowing
eastwards towards the Indian Ocean. There are five major drainage
basins: Lake Victoria, the Rift Valley, the Athi-Galana-Sabaki River
(and Coastal areas to its south), the Tana River and the northern
Ewaso Ng'iro.
Kenya only has a small part of Lake Victoria's water surface, but
the Kenya catchment contributes a disproportionate 33% of its surface
inflow,
some 470 million cubic meters a year.
The rift valley contains several
basins of internal drainage, forming a chain of endorheic lakes
from Lake Natron on the Tanzanian border, through Lakes Magadi,
Naivasha, Turkana, Elementaita, Nakuru, Bogoria and Baringo. These
lakes vary in alkalinity,
from fresh water lake Naivasha to the intensely alkaline Lake Magadi.
Lake Turkana is notable as a major volume of (more or less) fresh
water in an otherwise arid and barren part of the county, while
a number of rivers, including the Turkwel, Kerio, Athi-Galana, Tana
and Northern and Southern Ewaso Ng'iro, flow for long distances
through dry parts of the country. Here they may often be the only
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Vegetation
Kenya's natural vegetation is as diverse as its climate and topography
would suggest. Dean & Trump (1983) mapped 19 distinct biotic
communities; some of whicih can be lumped under general headings. Afro-alpine moorland (1.2 % of total land area) occurs above c.
3,000 m, on Mt Kenya and Mt Elgon, the Cheranganis and the Aberdare
Mountains. The vegetation is sparse at the upper levels (above c.3,
800 m), with species of giant Lobelia and Senecio; below this is
grassland and Erica shrubland, often with stands of Hagenia abyssinica
in sheltered spots.
Highland
grassland (0.05%) occurs above c.2,400 m on either side of the central
Rift Valley (in the Kinangop and Mau Narok / Molo Grasslands. This
restricted habitat is not covered in any protected area and is one
of the most endangered in Kenya. Many tussock-forming grass species
occur. Other
important grassland types include fire-induced grassland (3.1 %,
e.g. parts of the masai Mara) and seasonal floodplain and delta
grassland (4.7 %, e.g. the Tana river Delta). Grassland also occurs
on alkaline volcanic ash (0.2%), e.g. to the south of the Chyulu
Hills.
Highland
moist forest (2.0%) occur between c.1, 500 m and 3,000m in areas
that receive rainfall of more than 1,200 mm per year. A mosaic of
forest and bamboo Arundinaria alpina is often present at the higher
levels. Typical montane forest trees include species of Podocarpus,
Olea, Juniperus and Newtonia, but the forest type varies greatly
according to altitude and rainfall.
Relicts
of Guineo-Congolian rainforest (0.1%) occur in western Kenya, in
and around Kakamega Forest. Despite its relatively high altitude
(1,600 m), in terms of biogeography Kakamega is the easternmost
outlier of the great tract of tropical rain forest that once extended
across equatorial
Africa. The average annual rainfall is over 1,900 mm, and typical
tree species include Celtis, Aningeria, croton, Fagara and Manikara.
The North and South Nandi Forests are transitional between the Guinea-Congolian
and Montane forest forest types.
Several types of coastal forests and woodland (0.1%) characteristic
of the Zanzibar-Inhambane Mosaic vegetation region, occur along
the narrow coastal strip. These patches are mainly small and relictual,
and the forest structure and composition vary greatly according
to soil type and rainfall. Characteristic trees include Cynometra,
manikara, Afzelia, Brachylaena and Brachystegia. Coastal evergreen
bushland (0.4%) also occurs, in a mosaic with cultivated land; this
is almost always a
secondary vegetation type . Coastal palmstands, often in tall grassland,
are a rare vegetation type covering ess than 3.1% of the land area.
They are concentrated near the Ramisi River in the south, and around
the Tana River Delta in the north. Elsewhere, highland dry forests (0.4%) occur on hilltops that attract
mist and rain (e.g. Mt Marsabit and the Taita and Chyulu Hills.
Riverine forests (e.g. along the Mara River) and groundwater forests
(e.g. Kitovu) together make up c.1.5% of the land area. Thorn bushland
and woodland are the most extensive vegetation types in Kenya (41.7%),
running from Amboseli in the south through the Tsavo parks to north-east
and north-west Kenya. Characteristic tree species are Acacia, Commiphora
ssp., while grasses include species of Hyparrhenia, Digitaria and
Themeda. This habitat often contains concentrations of large mammals
and many large protected areas are in this vegetation zone. It is
often favourable for ranching and pastoral land. This vegetation
grades into semi-arid wooded and bushed grassland (0.2%).
The north-central
and northwestern parts of the country are covered by semi-desert
(16.8%) with characteristic shrubby thornbush species, mainly Acacia.
In places, such as the Dida Galgalu and Chalbi deserts and around
Lake Turkana, areas of barren land (0.4%) occur, with very little
vegetation. Marine beaches and dunes make up another 0.04% of the
land area.
Wetlands
are an important habitat in Kenya, covering about 14,000 km sq of
the country's land surface (Crafter et al. 1992). Strongly alkaline
Lakes (0.04%), mainly in the Rift valley, lack macrophytes, except
at river inflows, but may have large blooms of microscopic plants
- notably the
cynaophytes Spirulina spp. Papyrus swamps, consisting largely of
stands of cyperus papyrus, are found patchily around the shores
of Lake Victoria, mainly along river inflows. Elsewhere this habitat
is widely scattered, with notable patches at Lake Naivasha and Lake
Jipe. (Only Lake Victoria's papyrus holds the suite of bird species
specialized on this habitat) Swamps of other Cyperus species , Typha
and Phragmites occur locally but are rarely of any great size.
Permanent
swamps make up 0.11% of the landd area, while bodies of freshwater
cover 2.1% fo Kenya's surface area.Mangrove swamps
(0.2%) occur along parts of the Kenyan shoreline, especially in
sheltered creeks and estuaries. Eight species of mangrove occur,
the commonest of which is Rhizophora mucronata. Lamu district has
the country's most extensive mangrove swamps. On sandy shorelines
are often beds of seagrass (some twelve species are recorded), beyond
the littoral zone or in deeper channels within it. Coral reefs and
islands make up some 59,000 ha, or 0.1% of the land area. Human-modified
habitats, created at the expense of the natural vegetation, occur
throughout the country but especially in the highlands. These include
cultivated land under a wide variety of crops (18%), plantations
of exotic trees, secondary thicket and scrub, eroded and de-vegetated
woodland and bushland, and overgrazed pastureland.
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Kenya's People
Kenya's population is overwhelmingly (97%) comprised of people of African descent, though that group is composed of over 70 different tribal groups. Among the most significant are the Kikuyu, Kamba, Gusii, Luhya, and Luo. Kenya's primary languages are English and Swahili, though regional tribal languages abound.The current population of about 30 million people is made up of over forty ethnic groups. This ethnic diversity has created a very rich cultural way of life for the Kenyans.The National language Kiswahili is spoken by a majority of Kenya. English is the Official Language and mostly spoken in the urban centres. |
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Kenya Transport
Transport in Kenya has a long way to go before it can be said to be upto standard. Public transport can be a nightmare. The current Narc Government has put very tough measures on public transport and it is hoped this industry wil now be streamlined.
The most popular form of public transport is the so called 'matatus'. A little while ago, they used to park passengers like sacks and overloading was the norm. The Narc government has now banned standing passangers on any public vehicle including the city commuter buses.
It is also mandatory to fit seat belts on all seats in the vehicles including buses. For long distance journeys, buses are the most used mode of transport. Kenya has several bus companies. Most companies are run by individuals who own entire fleets. A few are limited companies with several directors. In Nairobi, Bustrack is the main bus company and serves most of the estates within and around the city.
Trains
Kenya Railways operates daily train services between Nairobi and Mombasa. Recently passanger train service was introduced to Kisumu. Many Nairobi City dwellers also use trains to get to work. The train passes a number of Estates every morning and many Nairobians especially the low income earners find this a very ideal mode of transport because of the low fares compared to the buses or the small passanger transport Mini buses/Urvans also known as 'Matatus'.
Regional train service is also available between Nairobi and Kampala as well as Nairobi and Arusha. For bookings, please consult your tour operator.
Air Transport
Flights are available to major towns like Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret. Chartered planes are also available to National parks like Masai Mara, etc. |
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Shopping
Curios and Souvenirs may be bought from curio stalls found in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu etc and along the major roads to tourist destination areas. The Masai market held in Nairobi city centre on Tuesdays is a good place to visit for better bargains. Wood carvings are sold throughout the country and especially in popular tourist spots.Most tourist hotels have in-house shops that sell curios, souvenirs, post cards, curvings, hand wooven baskets and the like.
For ordinary shopping e.g groceries and cosmetics, it is advisable to visit the local supermarkets. Here one is likely to get better products which have not over stayed on the shelves.Most supermarkets sell greens and it is advisable you shop here. The prices are slightly higher than those at the local markets but unless really constrained by finances it is advisable to avoid the local vegetable markets to avoid mugging or being pick pocketed especially if you are an European.There are duty free shops at the airports. Purchases are done with convertible currencies.
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Kiswahili Translations
Following are some common Kiswahili words translated to get you started.
| English |
Kiswahili |
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| Hallo |
Jambo |
| How are you? |
Habari yako? |
| How much does this cost? |
Hii ni pesa ngapi? |
| What's the time? |
Ni saa Ngapi? |
| Come here |
Kuja hapa |
| I love you |
Nakupenda |
| I want |
Nataka |
| It is raining |
Kunanyesha |
| Home |
Nyumbani |
| Market |
Sokoni |
| Pray |
Omba |
| Let's go |
Twende |
| Food |
Chakula |
| Church |
Kanisa |
| one |
moja |
| two |
mbili |
| three |
tatu |
| four |
nne |
| five |
tano |
| Fine |
mzuri |
| Fine thank you |
Mzuri sana |
| Where are you going? |
Unaenda wapi? |
| Where are you? |
Uko wapi? |
| Will you come? |
Utakuja? |
| Give me |
Nipatie |
| I hate |
Sipendi |
| It is hot |
Kuna Joto |
| Shop |
Dukani |
| Buy |
Nunua |
| I have eaten |
Nimekula |
| Stop |
Simama |
| Fruits |
Matunda |
| Hotel |
Hoteli |
| six |
sita |
| seven |
saba |
| eight |
nane |
| nine |
tisa |
| ten |
Kumi |
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Weather
In the low-lying areas, particularly along the coast, the climate is tropical, hot and humid. If your are travelling to Mombasa, please do not pack a blanket. You do not need one. The weather is quite hot even at night.On the Plateau and in the highlands the climate is more temperate. Western Kenya and most parts of Nyanza experience heavy conventional rain and have two rain seasons, the long rains from April to June and the short rains from October to November.Nairobi has a more sober climate with none of the extremes. July and August are considered the coldest months in Nairobi and especially July. It can get extremely cold.
Although Kenya runs through the equator, most of it is situated at 4,000 ft/1,200 m or higher, which tends to disipate the heat. In higher regions, expect temperatures to be about 10 degrees F/5 degrees C cooler than in low-lying parts of the country. At the peak of Mt. Kenya, temperatures can fall below freezing. Take a sweater or jacket year-roundOnce in a while Kenya experience the so called El nino rains. These are usually very heavy rains that wash away houses especially in the slams and plateau area.Kenya’s warm climate is favourable for tourism during the drier season that is between September and March. |
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Currency
Kenyan Shilling (KSh) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of KSh1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of KSh 40, 20, 10, 5, 50cts, 10cts, and 5cts. There are no restrictions on the foreign exchange you may bring to the country. You will need to get a letter of authorisation if you wish to take more than Kshs. 500,000/- out of the country.
Currency exchange
Money can be exchanged at the major banks and the numerous Foreign exchange bureaus that can be found on literary every other street. There are also several of them at the airport. There are over 170 ATMs. Barclays has the largest network followed by Standard Chartered Bank. Most ATM's serve a majority of the international credit cards like Visa, Master etc.
Credit & debit cards
These are all widely accepted. Major hotels and big outlets now accept payment by credit card. Cards accepted include Visa, Master Card,
Travellers cheques
These can be changed at banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1500; 0900-1100 on the first and last Saturday of each month for Nairobi Banks. For special customers with special accounts, banking hours can run upto 1700 hr. Most banks upcountry are open on Saturdays. Many of the banks and bureaux de change at the international airports open 24 hours a day |
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Kenyan Food
Kenya has it's own indigenous menus. Different Communities have different menus unique to their livelihood. eg.
Ugali and Fish
Ugali is made up of ground maize flour and water. It takes the form of a cake after it has been cooked. Simpy cook the floor in boiled water until it hardens. This is a favourite meal not just for the Luos in Nyanza Province but for all Kenyans. Fish is popular in Nyanza because of it's proximity to Lake Victoria and at the coast because of the Indian Ocean.
Githeri
This is a mixture of boiled maize and beans. This is a popular dish among the Kikuyu community mainly found in Central Province.
Mukimo
This is a mashed version of the Githeri. It is usually made up of maize and beans mashed with potatoes or cooked bananas.
Mursik
This is a popular drink made of fermented milk and charcoal popular among the Kalenjins of Kenya.
Ingoho
The Luhya's of Western Kenya are said to love this meal that is basically chicken. Luhya's are sure to cook for you Ingoho if you are considered an important visitor.
Wali
At the cost, Wali (Rice) is a popular meal. It is mostly cooked with coconut milk. Coconuts are readily available at the cost.
Kachumbari
This is a mixture of chopped tomatoes, onions, pepper, parsley and in some cases Avocado. It is mostly served with Nyama Choma.
Nyama Choma
This is roast meat. Very popular in Kenya. Beef is the cheaper meat in Kenya compared to Chicken or Fish. |
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Ten Reasons to Visit Kenya
Kenya is a country which only needs three reasons to describe how beautiful it is and why it should be visited, which would inevitably make each and every discerning visitor reading this article want to partake in a true and genuine African experience. However, on the other hand we can only feel excited about the tourism opportunities and would like to share with our guests a little more than that.
Visit Kenya For Its:
- Wildlife Watching and Nature Safaris: Lets begin with the word "Safari" used on a day-to-day basis when wanting to describe a wildlife related itinerary in Africa and even other parts of the world; the word stems from the Kiswahili or Swahili language, whose linguistic birth is in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar), making the region an original and authentic African wildlife safari destination as rightfully described by the early European Hunters. Kenya is a country where nature has been exceedingly gracious. Within one country you can travel through lush green forests, deserts, equatorial rainforests, montane vegetation, mountains and witness thousands of wildlife, birdlife and insectlife species being supported and sustained within the respective ecology. Furthermore and coincidently, Kenya also boasts the big five wildlife above the ground as well as the big five below the Indian Ocean waters.
So if Wildlife and Nature Experience is key for you, then a visit to Kenya will provide an authentic African biodiverse experience.
- Relaxation, Peace and Pristine Beauty: We at AfricanMecca know that the daily grind of life: the daily never ending business meetings, career challenges, cooking, cleaning, house chores, groceries, family affairs and relationship, can really take a toll on a human being. Well, if you feel what we described fits your busy profile then making an escape to Kenya is the right thing for you. You too need to be served and pampered. You too need to have nothing to worry about for 14 days of your whole year and have someone else cook, clean and take care of you. All you have to do is relax, receive good service, enjoy eating the most delicious food cooked from organic farms, enjoy spectacular views that personalities such as Prince William of England appropriately described as "loo with a view", referring to the superb accommodation views that would inject a guest's life with peace and tranquility when visiting Kenya.
So if you want to take time away from daily hustle and bustle or share time with your loved ones, then Kenya is the right choice to visit and get away from it all.
- Indian Ocean Beach Vacation:
Taking an Indian Ocean beach vacation is an experience of a lifetime because AfricanMecca guests have the ability to select exactly what kind of beach experience they would like to have. The selections includes: remote Indian Ocean beach Islands that are as far away from human contact as possible where the only accessible mode of transportation is a boat or an airplane or at popular beach resort destinations which serve plenty of sun, white sandy beaches and food; the only thing you have to do is know how to spend you time. So if you want to enjoy your time on the Indian Ocean's warm turquoise waters with a book in you hand while soaking up the most sun and with plenty of white sandy beach to take home to make up for the nostalgia you will face, then Kenya is the right place to enjoy your vacation.
- Cultural Interaction:
Do you have a diverse and open-minded personality about other cultures and their ways of life, and enjoy reading and learning more about people from other parts of the world, especially Africa? If you answered yes to any of these questions, come enjoy a genuine African experience by visiting the diverse cultures, ways of life and traditions of the people of Kenya. Meet the tall elegant Maasai whose native language is Maa, and whose dress code would want you to take a thousand and one pictures, which you hope to display to your friends at home; also visit ancient civilizations in Lamu, where the town has basically stopped as time flew by. Come witness the rituals, traditions and rites of passage of the Samburu people or travel to Western Kenya to see the most well decorated natives of Kenya, the Luo people.
So if you want to add a touch of true and first hand anthropology to your credentials, then plan a visit to Kenya.
- Outdoors Activities and Active Adventure:
Many of our clients live schedules where there is little or no time to enjoy the outdoors, especially if they live in metropolitan areas. They often purchase clothing and equipment gear in anticipation of pursuing an active lifestyle; most times the resolutions never materialize because daily responsibilities keep piling up. And it also happens when days off from work are possible, that are not vacation time, it is wintertime and the temperatures are freezing cold, and if this experience relates to you, then you know you are not alone and many people face the same challenges. The solution to the challenges is a preplanned visit to Kenya. With the country laying right on the Equator, there are no snow days or freezing cold temperatures, unless if you are climbing Mount Kenya. Kenya offers a variety of programs that engulf AfricanMecca guest into a world never experienced before. Place yourself on the plains of the Savannah grassland of Kenya on a horseback riding safari instead of a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle, observing the beautiful Reticulated Giraffes in the distance or watching a herd of elephant wadding in mud. Or even taking up the challenge to climb the second highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kenya. Those who want to take adventure to the next level can undertake whitewater rafting on the Tana River, mountain biking in Safari country while watching wildlife along the way, undertake Camel Riding Safaris that traverse at least two different ecosystems, bungee jumping that pushes your heart out of your body, walking Safaris that aim to bring an out of world experience, paragliding from hilltops of Laikipia, fishing for huge bill fishes, golfing in the Great Rift Valley with the challenge to overcome the wind crisscrossing the great depression. The list can go on!
So if you want to start and motivate yourself, while acting on that New Year resolution, then a visit to Kenya is the first step for you.
- Business and Conference Services:
Many businesses and non-profit organizations require business meetings and incentive programs that would harness an environment that focuses on work as well as will mesmerize the employees and business partners during their breakout sessions. Kenya is the country that can professionally deliver these services without any embarrassment or disappointment caused to the visiting parties. Cities like Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu can supply auditoriums, large conference rooms with flip charts, overheard projectors, and laptop computers within one single accommodation hotel. Breakout sessions can be held on the Indian Ocean's traditional African boat with live entertainment and meals provided on board. Or at the nearby National Park restaurants like the Ranger's, which enable visitors sitting on the dining table to discuss the various agendas while watching the warthog and waterbuck near the waterhole.
So if your businesses or non-profit organizations wants to create a discerning experience for your clients, yet keep costs affordable while having easy access to infrastructures like International Airports and road systems, then selecting Kenya as business hub is the way to go.
- Historical Experience:
Kenya is a country that is as old as the early exploration of the world by Romans: from 45 A.D, Hippalus, a Roman sailor, was pushed to the East African coast by the monsoon winds, to present day. Kenya holds a historical treasure for all to learn and enjoy. The country contains old extant forts standing strong, ruins that were deserted by residents without any explanation, immigration by European settlers who farmed and lived in the highlands of Kenya like Karen Blixen, discoveries like the Thompson Waterfalls at Nyahururu by Joseph Thompson in 1859, immigration of people from India, Arabia, China as explorers and traders. A meeting with the Samburu people in Northern Kenya will enable you to learn about their Israelite experience and Jewish heritage: how their families trickled down from the Mesopotamia region thousands of years ago. Kenya and East Africa as a region are also internationally credited to hold the original hominid excavations of prehistoric humans underscoring the theory of our existence to have originated from the area.
So if your personality welcomes a true historical learning experience with a mix of culture and lifestyle, fame and fortune, success and glory then a visit to Kenya will broaden your knowledge in a globally diverse world making you stand out from the rest of your peers!
- Eco-Tourism Experience:
More increasingly our guests are asking us for a true genuine African experience vacation. An African experience that is run by indigenous people of Africa in a environment where your stay is at accommodations built by indigenous people of Africa, and safari game drives, food, service, lifestyle is set in their ecologically sensitive homesteads, and where the revenue from your spending actually and directly assists the indigenous population be self sufficient and self reliant. Well, then you have come to the right country. Kenya's Indigenous communities like the Maasai, Samburu, Pokot have learnt that preserving their way of life is something to be proud about and not compromised. The indigenous African communities also know they need to take charge of their destiny so they have started sending their children to formal schools, have welcomed modern medicine but also keep abreast of their traditional herbal cures, and have participated in community development fostering an alliance with other communities to create an eco-tourism incentive like no other in Africa.
So if you want to undertake a true and genuine African experience, filled with fun and an alternative to the common person's experience, be assured that Kenya is the destination for you. And your selection of AfricanMecca as your host begins your desire to working with natives of the region and underscoring an authentic eco-tourism experience right from the start.
- Geography & Geophysical Experience:
Not only is Kenya uniquely positioned in the world but it also has wondrous geophysical characteristics. Take for instance the Great Rift Valley and the lake systems it supports: hot sulfurous, fresh and alkaline, in one great depression. The Rift Valley lakes attract hundreds of bird species yearly, which adds to the whole unique experience. Lakes like Bogoria are also brings across a unique perspective, seen when eggs are boiled within minutes in front of your eyes, when placed in the geyser. These kinds of experiences especially for children and youths in the learning stages reinforces the ability to think about the questions that are so pertinent and often overlooked: where does the water come from, how does it get so hot, what can be done with this water to benefit mankind, where in other parts of the world does this phenomenon take place. Another marvel of Kenya is the equator and often experienced by most visitors: a make believe Cariolis Force. A Cariolis Force is the movement of water under ideal conditions, that if you are on the northern hemisphere (a step towards north of the Equator) watching a tub filled with water being unplugged, would make the water swirl and drain counter clockwise; if you are on the southern hemisphere (meaning having to make one step south of the equator) the water would swirl and drain clockwise. This is a phenomenon that has to be witnessed.
So Kenya should be the place on your list to visit to witness, learn and enjoy the marvels often not heard about.
- Marine Experience:
Most of us are often only mesmerized by the beautiful hues from the sundowners like the ones displayed early evenings on the plains of the Masai Mara or the early mornings on the Kenya coast, where the clear waters and penetration of the sun rays creates a beautiful sparkling diamond like effect; this is just the icing on the cake. Now imagine beauties far more spectacular than anything ever seen in reality except on television. We are talking about the magic beneath the waters of the Indian Ocean: corals exist with rainbow colors as if someone conscientiously painted these seemingly dead rocks with blue, red, green and yellow; fishes deep down in the sea have evolved luminous scales making the schools of fish look like a huge gigantic fish, and where wild dolphins and whale sharks curiously examine the commotion when your boat sails by and compliment the scene with a very close and friendly encounters. This is the reality and only a slight glimpse into the rare and untold beauty of Kenya's unexplored marine life. So if you enjoy watching fishes and corals outside of aquariums and manmade entertainment centers, than a visit to Kenya will quench your desire to get a glimpse of a world yet to be discovered.
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