Home > Countries > Kenya

Kenya

Safari is Swahili for "journey" and it is in Kenya where safaris began. Magnificent national parks and reserves brim with wildlife. Lush forests, breathtaking mountains and tribal cultures plus the amazing variety and quality of birdlife make Kenya a fascinating destination. The 500 kms of golden beaches of the Kenyan Coast invite the visitor to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. It is perhaps the wildlife more then anything else that draws visitors to Kenya boasting some of the finest reserves in Africa - and visitors will be thrilled at the sight of lions, leopards, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, gazelle, buffalo, hippo, rhino - and hundreds more. It is the abundance of wildlife, the rich history and culture, friendly people and comfortable accommodation that makes clients wanting to return again and again.Kenya is with no doubt Africa's favourite safari destinations.

History: Fossils found in East Africa suggest that proto-humans roamed the area more than 20 million years ago. Recent finds near Kenya's Lake Turkana indicate that hominids lived in the area 2.6 million years ago.

Cushitic-speaking people from what is now Sudan and Ethiopia moved into the area that is now Kenya beginning around 2000 BC. Arab traders began frequenting the Kenya coast around the first century AD. During the first millennium AD, Nilotic and Bantu peoples moved into the region, and the latter now comprise two thirds of Kenya's population. The Swahili language, a Bantu language with significant Arabic vocabulary, developed as a trade language for the region.

In recent history Kenya gained independence in   1963   with Kenyatta becoming Kenya's first president. At Kenyatta's death in   1978  , Daniel arap Moi became President, and in the democratic multiparty elections in   1992   and   1997   he won re-election. In   2002 and 2007, Mwai Kibaki, was elected the President.

Scheduled and Tailor-Made Safaris: Kenya is the birthplace of the African Safari because of its unrivaled game parks and its annual migration of the wildebeest in the Masai Mara region. Below you will find numerous small group (maximum of 10 clients) safaris that Vision Adventure Safaris runs in and around Kenya. You can join one of our scheduled camping or lodge safaris or if you'd like, one of our experienced travel consultants can tailor-make a private safari to meet your departure date, time period, group size and budget. A popular choice is to go on one of our multi country safaris which incorporate Kenya and Tanzania.

Best Game Viewing Months: You can go on safari year round in Kenya with July through to March being excellent months. In the Masai Mara it's excellent to go game viewing from June through to March. All these areas like Aberdares, Amboseli, the Rift Valley and Lakes, Sambura and Shaba, Tsavo East and West have excellent game viewing throughout the year.

Kenya Info

• Area: 583,000 sq km²
• Capital: Nairobi
• Currency: Kenyan Shilling
• Climate: Kenya's climate varies enormously from place to place. The Rift Valley offers the most agreeable weather, while the arid bushlands and semi-desert regions can range from daytime highs of up to 40° Celsius to lows of about 20° Celsius at night. Western Kenya and the eastern coastal fringe are generally hot and humid year-round with the warmest months being from December to March.
• People: 22% Kikuyu, 14% Luhya, 13% Luo, 12% Kalenjin, 11% Kamba, 6% Kisii, 6% Meru, 16% other
• Official language: Swahili, English
• Time: GMT plus three

Attractions

Main Safari Attractions in Kenya:

• Masai Mara National Reserve
• Samburu National Reserve
• Lake Nakuru National Reserve
• Amboseli National Reserve
• Mount Kenya National Park
• Aberdare National Park
• Tsavo East and West National Parks
• Meru National Parks
• Ol Pejeta Conservancy
• Mombasa
• Lamu