Kenya

Welcome to Magical Kenya! Kenya is a beautiful country located in East Africa and it is a top destination for tourists all over the world. With its diverse wildlife, natural wonders, and warm and hospitable people, it is no wonder that visitors are drawn to this country.

The country is named after Mount Kenya, which is the second-highest mountain in Africa. Visitors to Kenya can visit coffee plantations and see how coffee beans grow. The country is one of the main exporters of coffee in the world. Kenya’s natural reserves and clean white sand beaches are also major attractions. The country is home to a diverse array of wildlife including antelopes, giraffes, and zebras, making it an excellent destination for a memorable safari. Many celebrities, including Ivanka Trump and Paris Hilton, have chosen Kenya for their honeymoon, and Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain was known to be fond of the country.

Kenya covers an area of about 224,081 square miles and is bordered by several countries, including Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. The country is divided into 47 counties, each led by an elected governor. The capital of Kenya is Nairobi, but the oldest city is Mombasa. The country has hundreds of rivers and lakes, including Lake Victoria, which is the second-largest freshwater lake in the world.

Kenya has 42 different tribal groups, each with their own traditions and culture. The most widely spoken language among all the tribes is Swahili, which is a major unifying factor. The Maasai are the most famous ethnic group in Kenya, known for their reputation as great warriors living close to major national parks. Kikuyu, Kalenjin, and Luo are other major ethnic groups in Kenya.

Kenya has the largest economy in East Africa, with agriculture being the largest economic sector. Coffee and tea are the main cash crops. Tourism is also a significant industry in Kenya, and the government has marketed the country as a leading destination for the classic African Safari. Kenya has over 55 national parks, game reserves, and sanctuaries, and many visitors fall in love with the incredible beauty of the country and decide to stay permanently.

Some of the popular tourist activities in Kenya include the great wildebeest migration, the majestic flamingos in Lake Nakuru, the elephants of Amboseli National Park, the beautiful beaches of Mombasa, ancient mosques, the East African Rift Valley, mountains, and cultural encounters with tribes like the Maasai, Samburu, and Kikuyu. The Kenya Tourism Board is responsible for marketing and managing most aspects of the tourism industry.

Kenya is a beautiful and diverse country with a rich culture and stunning natural attractions. From wildlife safaris to coffee plantations, visitors can explore a wide range of activities and experiences. The country’s tourism infrastructure is world-class, and the warm and hospitable people make it a welcoming destination for tourists from all over the world.

Attractions

• Amboseli National Park: Located in southern Kenya, Amboseli is known for its large herds of elephants and stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
• Lake Nakuru National Park: This park is famous for its pink flamingos, which flock to the lake in large numbers. It is also home to other wildlife such as rhinos, giraffes, and zebras.
• Lamu Island: Located off the coast of Kenya, Lamu Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its Swahili architecture and relaxed atmosphere.
• Diani Beach: Located on the south coast of Kenya, Diani Beach is a popular destination for beach lovers. It boasts clear waters, white sand beaches, and a wide range of water sports.
• Hell’s Gate National Park: This park is known for its hiking trails, hot springs, and geothermal activity. It is also home to a variety of wildlife including baboons, zebras, and buffalo.
• Mount Kenya: The second-highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kenya offers stunning views and challenging climbing routes for experienced mountaineers.
• Fort Jesus: Located in Mombasa, Fort Jesus is a historic Portuguese fort built in the 16th century. It is now a museum and a popular tourist attraction.
• The Great Rift Valley: This geological formation stretches over 6,000 km from Syria to Mozambique. In Kenya, visitors can explore the stunning landscapes and wildlife of the Rift Valley, including Lake Naivasha and Lake Bogoria.
• Tsavo National Park: One of the largest national parks in Kenya, Tsavo is home to a wide range of wildlife including elephants, lions, and giraffes. It is also known for its stunning views of the African savannah.
• The Kenyan Coast: Kenya’s coastline is dotted with beautiful beaches, historic towns, and vibrant markets. Visitors can explore places like Mombasa, Malindi, and Watamu, and enjoy activities like snorkeling, diving, and fishing.
• Samburu National Reserve is a conservation park located in Northern Kenya and is home to the Samburu people. It is a lesser visited tourism attraction in Kenya.
• Amboseli National Park is located close to the border with Tanzania and at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is one of Kenya’s most visited national reserves and has a large elephant herd and an opportunity to meet the Masai people for a cultural experience.
• Nairobi National Museum is the best place to learn about the history, culture, and art of the country. The museum displays information about Kenya’s unique flora and fauna and exhibits artifacts from different tribal groups and artists in Kenya.
• The Karen Blixen Museum is a museum that was once the home of the author Karen Blixen, who wrote “Out of Africa”. It is dedicated to her life and times during colonial times in Kenya.
• The Nairobi Railway Museum recognizes the important role of the railway system in Kenya’s economy and has the oldest wagons and steam engines, including rare models like the German MV Liemba.
• The Chyulu Hills are a 500-year-old volcanic mountain range located in south-eastern Kenya, and one of its main attractions is the Leviathan Cave.
• Meru is a small town close to Mount Kenya that produces coffee and Miraa, and its main attractions are the Meru National Museum and the Meru National Park.
• The Central Highlands, located on the eastern arm of the Rift Valley, are considered the heartland of the country due to their high population density and fertile soils.
• The Aberdare National Park, located in the Central Highlands, is a protected area with a high altitude, lush forests, waterfalls, and several animal species.
• The Meru National Park has remarkable scenery, with tall grasses, acacia trees, and several animals such as lions, buffaloes, and cheetahs.
• The Giraffe Center was established to provide environmental education and awareness about the importance of appreciating Kenya’s biodiversity, and tourists can visit to feed and touch the giraffes.
• The Crying Stones in Kakamega are huge monuments that balance themselves on columns of rock, and the water flowing from a gap in the middle resembles tears.
• Lamu Fort and Museum are located in Lamu Island, built by the Sultan of Oman in 1821 and now showcasing the Swahili culture through relics, art collections, photos, and ceremonial homes.
• Manda Island, part of the Lamu Archipelago, can only be reached by air or boat, offering white sandy beaches, snorkeling, and artifacts dating back to the 9th century.
• Paté Island, also part of the Lamu Archipelago, is the largest and rich in historical sites, such as ruined buildings, mosques, and tombs, with the Siyu Fort and Swahili relics as main attractions.
• Siyu is a town in Paté Island, with a history of indigenous settlements, resistance to Arab invasions, and beautiful beaches.
• Mida Creek is a mangrove forest with warm shallow waters that attract rare and migrant bird species, making it a perfect spot for birders.
• Kigio Wildlife Conservancy offers amazing scenery and wildlife, including buffaloes, impalas, hyenas, hippos, gazelles, eland, and over 210 bird species, protected by an electric fence.
• Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake with over 400 bird species and other wildlife, such as hippos, zebras, eland, impalas, giraffes, and buffalo, best explored by canoeing.
• Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, made up of Ol Donyo Sabuk Mountain and its surrounding savanna, is home to over 250 buffaloes, impalas, duikers, colobus monkeys, baboons, bushbuck, and countless birds, with amazing views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.
• Mamba Village in Nairobi is a crocodile farm with various sizes and species of crocodiles and a botanical garden, restaurant, and playground.
• Gedi Ruins: ruins of a once industrial town built by the Arab settlers in the 13th century for trading purposes. It contains mosques, a palace, tombs, and residential buildings. Tourists can observe the old buildings and monuments to get a feel for life when the Arabs ruled the East African coast.
• Fort Jesus in Mombasa: a Portuguese fort constructed in 1593 to guard the Port of Mombasa from Arab and other invaders. It has been well-preserved and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourists can tour the facility and check out the torture chambers where slaves were kept in captivity before being sold off.
• Lewa Wildlife Conservancy: a rhino conservation center located in North central Kenya. It started as a cattle ranch before becoming a rhino sanctuary with heavy armed patrols, fencing, tracking technology, community sensitization, and partnerships with locals.
• Mount Kenya National Park: a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the eastern part of the East African Rift Valley. It is Kenya’s highest mountain, and hiking to the top takes about five days. Visitors can see beautiful scenery consisting of lakes, springs, glaciers, alpine forests, bamboo forests, and clear views of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. There is also wildlife to look out for.
• Nyama Choma: a specific kind of roasted goat’s meat that is a delicacy and can be found in roadside restaurants all around Kenya.
• Hell’s Gate National Park: named after the narrow cliffs in the area, this park has two extinct volcanoes, gorges, obsidian caves, countless rock formations, and volcanic plugs. Visitors can explore the park on foot or using a bicycle without a ranger. It is also a perfect destination for hikers and campers.
• Whitewater rafting in River Tana: a popular and adventurous activity to do in Kenya.