Kenya

Overview

Kenya has something for any traveller. There are many different landscapes and cultures, all quite different and beautiful. There is the desert of the north, and The Rift Valley where evidence of protohumans was first found. There are many brilliant Lakes , including Lake Victoria in western Kenya, Lake Naivasha and many more. Kenya has the second highest peak in Africa, the great Mt. Kenya . It has twenty National Parks and Reserves packed full of the elusive Big Five (Elephant, Leopard, Lion, Cape Buffalo, and Rhinoceros).

Of course, there is also The Coast , very picturesque, with white sands, emerald water, and the Swahili culture, a unique mix of Arabic and Bantu influences. Compound the incredible scenery and limitless travel options with friendly and welcoming people, and visiting Kenya becomes a great vacation. while in coast visit the garden of eden The northwestern region of this country, the Turkana District, is a vast, desolate, hot, arid landscape where goatherders and bandits coexist. Lodwar, comparable to the "Dodge City" of the early American West, has the basic necessities of life, including Internet kiosks and semi-reliable electricity. Lokichoggio, the outpost in the northeasternmost sector of this county, is home to UN refugee camps with 30,000+ people. Roads are extremely rough, the terrain unforgiving, and people always inquisitive about what brings you to their country.

The best places to start your travels in Kenya are probably Nairobi N.P. the capital and South of Mombasa the second largest city, located on the coast....more

History

Although one of Africa's more powerful economies, Kenya is still a developing country, and so certain aspects of the country's society and infrastructure may come as a shock to some visitors from developed countries who are unfamiliar with the poverty and poor quality of life experienced by many Kenyans. HIV AIDS has recently caused some major sociological upheaval, and orphans to the disease can be found all across the country. Although made up of many diverse ethnic groups and tribes, Kenyans have strong sense of national pride which may be due in part to unity in the struggle for Uhuru (Kiswahili: "freedom") – independence from British colonial rule, achieved in 1963. Most Kenyans seem optimistic about the country's future. Kenyans understandably pursue the business opportunities offered by tourism with a zeal that may be offputting to some visitors, but are usually open, talkative and friendly once business matters have been settled. Although foreign visitors are now a common sight in many parts of the country, there still exist vast areas off the beaten track where a white face will attract cries of "Mzungu! Mzungu!" (Kiswahili: "white person") from local children. Visitors to these areas should think especially carefully about the long term effects of their visit on the local community, and should for example avoid giving out sweets or money without restraint – merely playing with children, or talking to and helping villagers will yield far better results than merely giving out...more