KENYA

KENYA’S SURFACE AREA:

583 000 km²

GEOGRAPHY:

Savannah and desert in the North; volcanic highlands and mountains in central zone with snow-capped Mount Kenya as the highest point (5,199 m). The Rift valley divides them from north to south into eastern and western highlands. The Equator runs across the middle of Kenya.

POPULATION :

Approximately 49 million people made up of 42 African ethnic communities, a minority Asian, European and Arab groups. High population density in western (near Lake Victoria); central region and NAIROBI area (capital city); the coastal south-east including MOMBASA, a tourist town which for more than 500 years was under the rule of the Oman Arabs who greatly influenced the development of the SWAHILI culture and language.

VISA :

Compulsory, https://accounts.ecitizen.go.ke/visitor-registration (single visa)

VACCINATION :

Yellow fever is only recomended however not compulsory

MALARIA PREVENTION :

Malarone. Seek medical advice

DRUGS TO CARRY:

Mosquito repellent cream, sun lotion, skin disinfectant, antibiotics

POCKET MONEY :international visa and master cards. ATM: available at many Banking agencies in major towns
LOCAL CURRENCY :Kenya Shilling: about 100 for 1 US Dollar, this may change anytime
PRICES INDICATOR : 
  • 1 soda 300ml: 1.2 USD 
  • 1 Beer: 1.5 USD
PERSONAL EFFECTS :
  • 1 warm sweater for the nights spent on highlands
  • 1 swimming costume for beach stay
  • 1 drinking water thermos flask (1 litre) 
  • 1 small rack-sack
  • personal motorcycle riding gear
  •  
SOUTHERN KENYA WEATHER : 

NAIROBI (alt. 1600 m) 

 

MOMBASA (alt. 0m) 

 

Day

 

Night

 

Day

 

Night

 

Dry and hot

(December to March)

26°C 

 

18 °C 

 

32°C 

 

28°C 

 

Long rains

(April to May)

22°C 

 

15°C 

 

28°C 

 

25°C 

 

Dry and cool

(June to September)

20°C 

 

12°C 

 

26°C 

 

22°C 

 

Short rains

(November)

25°C 

 

16°C 

 

30°C 

 

25°C

 

 
NORTHERN KENYA WEATHER : 

 

 

 

 

 

LAKE TURKANA (alt. 600 m) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARSABIT (alt.1500 m) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Night 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Night 

 

 

 

 

Dry

 

 

 

 

 

(June to February)

 

 

 

 

 

36 °C 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24°C 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31°C 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19°C 

 

 

 

 

Rains

 

 

 

 

 

(March to may)

 

 

 

 

 

33 °C 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22 °C 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24°C 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 °C

 

 

 

 

 

LANGUAGES SPOKEN:

ENGLISH, SWAHILI, ARABIC, HINDI and more than 40 Kenyan Languages!

BOOKS :

  • Out of Africa (Karen Blixen)
  • The green Hills of Africa (Hemingway)
  • West With the Night (Beryl Markham)
  • The Snows of Kilimanjaro (Hemingway)
  • KENYA (Lonely Planet)
  • NELLES MAPS KENYA 1:1,100,000