Kenya is a country on the east coast of Africa. It extends from the Indian Ocean deep into the interior of Africa. The equator runs through the centre of Kenya.

A spectacular variety of fascinating wild animals live in Kenya. This wildlife--which includes elephants, giraffes, lions, rhinoceroses, and zebras--attracts thousands of tourists to Kenya each year.

To protect the country's wildlife, the government has set up several national parks and game reserves, which are among the finest in Africa. Hunting is illegal. But poachers continue to kill such animals as elephants for their tusks and rhinoceroses for their horns.

A Short Background
Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence until his death in 1978, then President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession and the current president is Mwai Kibaki.

The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982 when the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) made itself the sole legal party in Kenya. MOI acceded to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in late 1991.

The ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud, but are viewed as having generally reflected the will of the Kenyan people.

The country faced a period of political uncertainty when MOI was constitutionally required to step down at the next elections that were held by early 2003.

Climate - Although situated in the tropics, Kenya has a pleasant climate with temperatures generally ranging between 12 to 26 degrees centigrade. The country offers a variety of climates, from hot & humid at the coast, to pleasantly cool in the Central Highlands, and hot & dusty in the Northern regions. It has two rainy seasons; the long rains from March to June, and short rains from October to December.

Accommodation - Most of the accommodation in the game parks is in tented camps or lodges. With a tradition of individual service and superb cuisine, Kenyan camps/lodges offer the ultimate in luxury and style. The beach hotels with direct access to the beach are all of international standards, as are the city hotels in Nairobi.

Transportation
By Road - Safari transportation is done mainly by 9-seater minibus which are "bush customized" with a pop-up roof and seven window seats. Your English speaking driver is also your guide being well versed in the flora & fauna of the country. The road network in Kenya is fairly extensive, but as it is not well maintained we recommend that you do not drive yourselves. Although car hire is available at an affordable rate, tourists driving themselves often get lost, and find it difficult to spot game due to the nature of the parks and reserves.

By Air - The main towns of Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, Kisumu & Eldoret are serviced by the national carrier - Kenya Airways who have also started a service to Lokichoggio. The game parks are served by scheduled flights operated by Air Kenya Aviation.

By Train - The 'lunatic express' runs from Nairobi to Mombasa, a 13-hour overnight journey done in sleeper cabins. Dinner and breakfast are served on board with the meals served in a style reminiscent of the colonial era. The train also runs from Mombasa to Nairobi.

Security - Due to adverse media publicity, Kenya suffers a tarnished image as to its internal security. While the crime rate in some Kenyan cities is high, this compares very favorably with other major cities of the world, where the crime rate is much higher. However, action has been taken by the tourism board, and tourist police units have been dispatched to the parks and beaches to beef up on security.

Eco-tourism - The three key elements of Kenya tourism - wildlife, local communities and tour companies are woven into the net of eco-tourism to ensure their long term well being. There are some outstanding examples of ranches being managed on the principles of eco-tourism and these offer accommodation facilities for small numbers of tourists.

General requirements - Visas are required by some nations - please check with us. Yellow fever vaccinations are required, and cholera is recommended. As Malaria is endemic in Kenya, in areas below 2000 metres, visitors are advised to take a recommended prophylactic two weeks prior to their arrival into Kenya.