Kenya is a land of diversity, offering stark safari plains in the south, snow-capped mountains and breathtaking eastern coastlines whose dark blue waters are home to colourful coral reefs and six national reserves to protect marine life. Majestic hills stretch towards endlessly sunny skies while valleys, such as the famous Rift Valley, and more than 20 volcanoes, including the well-known Mount Kenya, also reside within its borders.
The country is well located on the equator, on the eastern coast of Africa and it is bordered by the Indian Ocean. Its capital, Nairobi, a major business hub in the region, is the centre for the regional and national headquarters of various international organizations and businesses, including the only UN offices in the developing world.
The economy of Kenya is one of the fastest growing in sub-Saharan Africa. The country has been declared a middle-income economy and the ninth largest in Africa, according to the latest updates published by the World Bank and
UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development).
Tourism is one of Kenya’s leading foreign-exchange earners and largest contributor to the GDP after agriculture, which accounts for 29 percent of Kenya’s $135-billion GDP. Tourism follows at 12 percent of GDP.
Attractions abound
As a premier tourist destination, the country is endowed with unique attractions, ranging from ancient cultural monuments, vibrant cities to exotic wildlife, which is unrivalled by any other country in terms of number and variety of species. In total, Kenya boasts 80 major animal species with the wildebeest migration in August remaining one of its major attractions. In terms of species, the “big five” — the lion, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo and leopard — are our biggest draws. Hunters coined the term “big five,” as it comprised a group of the most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt.
Kenya’s magic is embedded everywhere you look. You might see wandering elephants, majestic mountains and secluded waterfalls, all in one area, such as the Masaï Mara, a region in the south famous for its safaris.
Guided tours to game reserves and national parks put you within metres of some of the world’s most fascinating animals. Out in the open fields, you’ll see impressive creatures roaming the savannah. The big five can all be spotted on the Masaï Mara, where one will also catch the wildebeest migration.
Spend a night at the Samburu Game Reserve, located in northern Kenya, where Grevy’s zebra and Somali ostrich graze. Discover the flocks of flamingos and herds of rhinos that inhabit Lake Nakuru National Park, northwest of Nairobi. Kenya’s attractions are as diverse as its wildlife. Nearly every adventure sport can be found in Kenya, from mountain biking and hot-air ballooning to go-karting and whitewater rafting.
Hunting is no longer permitted in national parks or game reserves as several species are now endangered. Endangered animals, such as the black rhino, are slowly making a comeback as a result of effective conservation efforts, including the development of many sanctuaries. The white rhino, meanwhile, can be found throughout Kenya’s national parks and reserves in growing numbers.
Beyond the big five safari animals
While the big five occupy the limelight, a cast of millions of other species is an unforgettable bonus. Other magnificent animals in Kenya include grazers such as gazelle, impala, antelope, dik-dik, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck and greater kudu. And, one mustn’t forget the world’s tallest creatures, reticulated Rothschild and Masai giraffes, with their characteristic large polygon-shaped spots outlined in beige. Kenya is also home to the third-largest land animal — the water-loving hippopotamus. In addition, the elusive leopard, other felines including cheetah and smaller serval, civets and caracal inhabit Kenya. Other well-known, yet exotic species include the crocodile, python, mongoose, jackal, hyena and bush baby.
Many olive and yellow baboons and monkeys, including the colobus, vervet and golden, are easily seen and heard. With serious savvy and sharp eyes, the “little five” can also be spotted in Kenya. This group consists of the rhinoceros beetle, leopard tortoise, ant lion, buffalo weaver and elephant shrew. Kenya offers countless ways to indulge in these unparalleled wildlife experiences.
My country’s warmth extends beyond its temperatures as its people are well known for welcoming tourists. It’s easy to find locals who are happy to point you in the right direction or take you there themselves. Almost any diet can be accommodated and meals are often accompanied by infectious smiles and a refreshing burst of flavour. Pilau is a rice dish made with a variety of spices, including ginger, garlic, turmeric and cloves. It can be served with sauce or stew and was mainly eaten in the coastal region, but with time it has gained popularity and is eaten on special occasions in all parts of the country. Nyama choma — roast beef, goat or chicken — is also commonly eaten all over the country. It can be served with ugali paste, made from corn flour, or it can also be served with bananas, among others.
You can wake up to sunny weather, spend the day alongside magnificent animals and end the day memorably with dinner under a blanket of African stars.
A range of accommodations
Kenya offers a wide range of accommodations. Whether you’re looking for five-star luxury or a pitch-your-tent wilderness experience, the choices are abundant. Those in the hospitality sector work diligently to respect their beautiful surroundings without compromising luxury or comfort. From highrise city-centre hotels in Nairobi to boutique hotels on the coast and in wilderness areas, Kenya provides guests with options tailored to a wide range of interests and budgets. Modern conveniences and acclaimed world-class facilities are found alongside spectacular wildlife experiences. Several noted hotel chains, such as Intercontinental and Fairmont, operate within Kenya and many rank among the best in Africa.
Lodges, from rustic to luxurious, offer accommodations in national parks, reserves and wilderness areas. Most lodges serve meals and have resident naturalists and guides.
Close to nature and designed for comfort, walk-in tents — some on raised platforms with private balconies and traditional furniture, including beds, chairs and loveseats — typically share a central dining facility. Some have private bathrooms with showers and toilets. Many of Kenya’s parks, reserves and sanctuaries offer tented-camp accommodations.
Campgrounds with basic facilities are available in game reserves and national parks for those who seek the excitement of camping in the wild. Camping safaris, with vehicles, guides, tents, food and equipment, can be arranged with safari operators.
Along the Indian Ocean shore, beach-lovers will find five-star international resorts as well as more modest accommodations. Beach life can include nightclubs, casinos and fine dining, with all-inclusive arrangements available.
City apartments, beachside homes, historic Swahili mansions and rustic bush cottages are all available for rent. Most come fully equipped, in some cases with a staff and cook, and rentals can be arranged short- or long-term.
A country of unique history
Kenya has a culture born of countless sources and blessed by a long and complex history. From the prehistoric records of early man to the present day, it has been a land of unending change, contrasts and diversity. The early tribal states saw cycles of migration and shifting power, with Kenya serving as a meeting place for peoples from the plain lands of the south, the forests of the west and the deserts of the north.
The sea brought influences from the outside world, and trade in such highly sought spices as cloves, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper and turmeric created the unique coastal culture, where lines between Africa and Arabia blurred. Beginning with the Portuguese in 1498 and for the next 200 years, the open coast brought European influences into this world of change and began a turbulent struggle for control that lingers still.
The first explorers discovered a land of great peril and greater beauty, where they created the most unique colony in the British Empire. This was a meeting place of cultures, where adventurers and soldiers of fortune mingled with a complex ethnic society. The arrival of labourers and merchants from India in the 1880s brought new and pervasive influences. The colonial legacy lives on in the traditions of the great safari and the pursuit of adventure and freedom. Kenya has drawn on all of these influences to develop its own unique culture. This is the nation’s greatest strength — the ability to blend the best of many worlds into a strong, singular identity.
Today, Kenya welcomes the world to its shores and continues to evolve into a modern culture that is born of endless variety and yet is purely, proudly Kenyan.
I welcome you all to Kenya. Karibu! (Translation from Swahili: Welcome!)
John Lepi Lanyasunya is high commissioner for Kenya.