Are you a curious traveler looking to head to East Africa? Here are 8 reasons why you should consider Kenya.
1. One of The Natural Wonders of The World.
You have got to witness the greatest migration on Earth, one of the “Seven New Wonders of the World.” Kenya is home to the annual Great Wildebeest Migration from mid-August to October. Approximately 1.7 to 2 million animals (including gazelle, zebra, and eland) move from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara in Kenya.
2. Geography and Natural Beauty
Kenya’s terrain is made of the low coastal plain of the Indian ocean that rises into mountains and plateaus to form the central highlands which is also the most densely populated area of in the East African region.
The floor of the Rift valley, splitting through central Kenya all the way from Ethiopia down to Mozambique, is covered by a chain of shallow lakes separated by extinct volcanoes. E.g.: Lake Naivasha, lake Magadi, lake Bogoria and lake Nakuru.
The North and South of Kenya are both small deserts, the Chalbi and the Nyiri Desert, respectively. Western Kenya is covered in forests, and by lakes and rivers. Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest freshwater lake and source of the Nile river, is found here.
Farther East Kenya stands Mount Kenya, the country’s highest peak, at 17,058 feet and is the second highest in Africa, after Mount Kilimanjaro.
3. History
Kenya’s economy is a result of its strategic geographic location. Arabian and Asian traders have settled along the Indian coast for centuries now. Arabic and Islamic influence on the Kenyan coast can be traced as back as the 8th century, making Mombasa, the second city of Kenya, a predominantly Muslim Swahili culture Fusion.
Between 1920 and 1963, Kenya was a colony of the United Kingdom. The British influence is deeply evident in the modern Kenyan culture, especially Nairobi. The architecture is British inspired, the official language is English, and they drive on the left side of road instead of the right. Some Nairobi neighborhoods also still have English names, such as Easleigh, Westlands, Parklands, and so is Lake Victoria named after Queen Victoria by the explorer John Hanning Speke back in 1858.
Already stablished as the hub of the region by former colonizers, the UN Office in Nairobi was built in 1996 as the UN’s headquarters Africa.
4. The People & Culture
Kenya is also known across the world for producing famous long-distance runners. Remarkably, all these runners are from the same tribe known as the “ Kalenjin”, one of the 6 major tribes. The other five are Kikuyus, Luo, Lhuya, Masai, and Kambas.
--- The latest best world record is Eliud Kipchoge, a Kenyan runner.
There are 44 tribes in Kenya, and over 60 languages are spoken, making Kenya an especially diverse country. The Indian immigrants who have lived in Kenya for generations were recently recognized as the 44th tribe.
English and Swahili are the 2 official languages of Kenya.
5. Business & Infrastructure:
There is plenty of investment opportunities in Kenya, since it is the largest economy in the East and Central Africa. Its economy is essentially Agriculture based, remaining one of the top exporters of coffee, tea, flowers, and pyrethrum in Africa. Other economic activities include fishing and trade.
Tourism is also a significant sector in Kenya’s economy. JKIA is the busiest airport in East and Central Africa and is the 7th busiest on the continent. It is the hub of national carrier Kenya Airways and the lower cost Fly540.
Kenya has an infrastructure that is still superior to that of its neighbors. It is branded as the economic, financial, and transport hub of Eastern and Central Africa and the largest city between Cairo and Johannesburg:
With 4 international airports in Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret and Kisumu, and domestic airports in Nairobi, Malindi, Lamu and Turkana
A railway network to be further expanded throughout East Africa
A deep seaport at Mombasa, the largest in the region.
An expanding energy sector and
Digital telecommunication networks. The biggest publication in the region, The East African is also owned by Nation Media House, a Kenyan media house.
6. Wildlife & Safaris
Kenya is as diverse in culture, history, and scenery as it is in wildlife. Some of the most frequently visited parks and reserves include the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Nairobi National Park, Shimba Hills National Reserve, Tsavo Game Reserve, and Amboseli National Park, among others.
Besides the big predators such as the East African lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyena, you also find Crocodile and hippo are thick in the Mara. Large amounts of grazing herds of zebra, giraffe, buffalo, gazelle, hartebeest, waterbuck, duiker, oribi and other antelope varieties can all be found in the Mara. Other large herbivores include elephants, and rhinoceroses protected in both Amboseli National Park and Lewa conservancy.
Kenya has more than 1,000 recorded bird species and the acacia woodlands shelter 470 of these species. Lake Nakuru is famous for flamboyant crowds of pink flamingos. You can find golden-winged Sunbirds, Starlings and African Fish Eagles in the Mara or go to the Maasai Ostrich Farm. There you can ride an Ostrich, the largest living species of bird on the planet.
In Kakamega forest, you find some of the rarest breeds of butterflies and snakes that cannot be found in many other places.
7. The Social Events, Nightlife & Underground Communities
Kenya’s capital, Nairobi is an exciting blend of cosmopolitan culture, chic Afrocentrism, and urban slums. It is one of the major African metropolises. There is always something interesting to do at any given time, and different events are organized on a weekly, monthly and some on a yearly basis across town. Live music fans can check out Jazz, Hip-Hop and Dub performances amongst other genres.
There is a thriving creative arts scene. Kenyan pop music is on the rise, and the fashion shows are extremely stylish. You can also explore smaller cultural communities in different institutes such as the Goethe institute, Alliance Francaise, and the Kenya National theater.
A wide variety of festivals and shows catered to different types of audiences are available. From the famous Koroga festivals(reggae), blankets and wine festivals, Metal and Rock music festivals, literature festivals, to big parties such as the famous 6 a.m. events as well as Temple, and the monthly Gondwana music event held at Captain’s terrace; there is something for everyone.
Some of the hippest pubs around Nairobi include: The Alchemist, Jay’s bar and Kitchen, K1 Klub House, Muze, Brew Bistro and Lounge.
8. The Coast
The Kenyan coast is a different world from the rest of the country, stretching at 536km along the Indian ocean. It is low-lying, shaded by coconut trees, and the white beaches blend with the sparkling turquoise of the ocean into a beautiful tropical palette.
Mombasa, developed by the Portuguese during the 19th century, is surrounded by the Ocean, making it one of the most beautiful cities in the Africa. Other important towns on the coastal strip include Diani in the South, and Kilifi, Malindi, Watamu and Lamu in the North.
The weather is always hot and humid, even at night, while the middle hours of the day at certain times of year can feel like a furnace. It’s perfect to laze around at the beach all day and catching the most breathtaking sunsets Kenya has to offer. The perfect destination for honeymoons, and even luxury holidays, it is covered in beautiful hotels and resorts.
From diving, swimming with dolphins and snorkeling to city tours, shopping trips and cultural and historical excursions, all sorts of activities can be easily organized. You can find the first East African Marine National Park in Watamu and explore the lightly inhabited Lamu Island where donkeys are used for transportation around town.
The oldest and most unique building is the famous Fort Jesus, a sanctuary used by the Portuguese for protection during the siege in the old town, Mombasa.
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