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Kenya Safaris
Lodge Safaris
Camping Safaris
Mt Kenya Climbing
Beach Safaris
Water Rafting
Nairobi Excursions
Mombasa Excursions
Migration Safaris
Air Safaris
Balloon Safaris
Cultural Safaris
Family Safaris
Camel Rides Tours
Bike Treks Tours
Short Safaris
Missionary Tours
About Kenya
Location, Geography & Climate
Kenya is still the primary focus of all
adventure travel in Africa. It is one of the finest--and undoubtedly the
most famous--safari destination in the world. Safari, however, is by no
means the only reason to visit Kenya, for the attractions of its rich
culture and diverse environments are considerable.
Kenya is situated right along the equator, on the eastern coast of the
African continent. Its coastal region is on the southeast, and to the east
lies Somalia. Ethiopia is to the north, the Sudan to the northwest, and
Uganda directly to the west. The southwestern border of the country is
marked by Lake Victoria, and southward lies Tanzania. Kenya's geography is
marvelously varied. While much of northeastern Kenya is a flat, bush-covered
plain, the remainder of the country encompasses pristine beaches, scenic
highlands and lake regions, the Great Rift Valley, and the magnificent Mount
Kenya.
Although Kenya's varied environments experience a wide variety of climate
conditions, the temperature remains comfortably warm year-round. Much of
Kenya experiences heavy rainfall from March through May and, to a lesser
extent, from October through December. The best time for most outdoor
acitivities (including safari and mountain climbing) is during the dry
season (June-September).
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History & People
Kenya has known the presence of humankind since
the very earliest development of our species. Moreover, the region has long
been a migratory path, passed through by wave upon wave of peoples from all
over Africa and, later, from the Middle East as well. By the 10th century or
so, the region had developed its own lingua franca, Swahili, which is a
Bantu language heavily overlaid with Arabic. Among other familiar words,
safari is Swahili, meaning simply travel.
With the arrival of the Portuguese at the end of the 15th century, the East
African coastal region was for a time dominated by the Europeans. However,
in 1729 the Portuguese were expelled, to be replaced by two Arab dynasties.
Arab rule lasted until the end of the 18th century, when Kenya passed into
the British sphere of influence. The country became independent in 1963.
Although it has experienced its share of internal and external strife, Kenya
has in recent years been moving toward a more stable, multi-party political
system.
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.