Interesting facts about Kenya

"Kenya" - the Name: It is held that name has roots in the Kikuyu term for Mount Kenya, ' Kirinyaga' . Mount Kenya is a snow capped mountain located right on the Equator.

Wonderful Climate: We do not exaggerate when we say Kenya has arguably some of the best weather in the World. Pleasant most year round with two rainy seasons, and in many places even if it pours, it clears up to sunny blue skies. There is no need for air conditioners or fans, except along the humid coast where day time temperatures do hit the high 30s.

Diverse Geography: For a country smaller than large US States or for that matter India's UP state, Kenya actually boasts some seriously spectacular geographical features, including the Great Rift Valley, snow capped Mount Kenya, several smaller mountains and volcanoes, numerous Lakes, large and small, fresh water and salt water too, vibrant rivers and upto 5 different vegetation zones, ranging from the deserts in the north of the country to lush forests just a few hundred miles sough. Diversity is in abundance.

The best African Wildlife: It is a known fact that while on a Safari in Kenya, it is possible to see not just the ''Big Five'' in a Kenyan Park or Reserve, but also the ''Big Nine'', hundreds of bird species, and everything from Hippos in a lake to endangered Black Rhino on the savanah, all in a single Day !.

Indian Ocean & Beaches: Kenya has a long coastline meeting the Indian Ocean. Importantly, it is also blessed with some amazingly beautiful white sand beaches, protected by coral reef [ free of sharks] as well as mostly being palm fringed.

Kenya's Population: It is expected that Kenya's population by 2018 will touch close to 50 million.

History: Kenya was a British Colony from the late 1890's upto 1963, when the country attained independence under the leadership of Jomo Kenyatta, the first President of Kenya and considered the founding father of the nation.

Cities: Kenya has just a handful of modern cities, the largest of which is Nairobi, the country's capital city. Nairobi is a pretty city, generally clean and modern, known for it's abundant greenery. It is lacking in terms of a modern public transport system, so there's not tube or overhead rail network here.

Religion: Kenya is predominantly a Christian country, but with significant proportions of Muslim and other faiths living harmoniously together. There is full religious freedom in Kenya and most people by and large actively practice their religion with most Churches seeing a well attended weekly Sunday service.

Sport: The world is accustomed to seeing Kenyan athletes regularly win major marathons and long distance races. Many of these famous runners come from a specific area of Kenya in the Northern Rift Valley region. Football is however the most popular sport, while the most famous Sport even in Kenya is the annual Safari Rally, a world famous motor rallying event that is considered to be a supreme test of man and machine.

Tribes: It is a common fact that Kenya has numerous tribes, the more famous of which are the Maasai tribe, living mostly in the large region surrounding Masai Mara. Kenya has close to 40 distinct tribes most with their own unique traditions and culture.

Food in Kenya: Most of the food consumed in Kenya is actually grown in the country on large scale farms. One of the staples of the local diet is Ugali, made from maize meal. Maize is therefore a commonly grown crop along with wheat and other grains. Kenya also has large herds of livestock. In terms of cuisine, you can expect to find a variety of high quality restaurants in Nairobi, and it is not uncommon to find say a Chinese restaurant being run by a native Chinese Chef, and an Italian restaurant owned and managed by native Italians. The food in hotels and while on Safari often meets and exceeds the basic International standards applicable for 4 and 5 star hotels.