The Republic of Kenya is located in East Africa and covers a total area of more than 582,000 square kilometres. Of the country’s roughly 39 million inhabitants, about three million live in Nairobi, the capital.
The majority of Kenya’s population belongs to the Bantu ethnic group. The country is also home to Nilotic peoples, the Maasai, and some residents of Asian and European descent. Most Kenyans speak English and Kiswahili. In addition, many different African tribal languages are spoken. Around 70% of the population are Christians. Islam, with a 20% share of the population, and traditional religions, accounting for about 10%, are also represented in the country.
Highlights of Kenya
The country is a popular travel destination, particularly because of its diverse natural landscapes. These include coastal areas and vast savannahs teeming with a wide variety of big game. Visitors can explore Kenya’s rich flora and fauna on safaris through the country’s numerous national parks, such as the Nairobi National Park. Here, visitors can observe elephants and many other wild animals in their natural habitat. This national park is located just eight kilometres from Nairobi’s city centre. Other notable national parks in Kenya include Amboseli National Park with its swamps and savannahs in front of the snow-capped Kilimanjaro, and Aberdare National Park, home to rhinos and elephants living in a forested mountainous region.
Kenya’s largest national park is Tsavo National Park, where large game such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras and giraffes roam across savannah and scrubland. In addition to its natural attractions, the country also offers numerous cultural and historical sites. These include Fort Jesus in Mombasa, cultural centres and the many museums in Nairobi.
Location and Climate of Kenya
Kenya is located in East Africa, bordering Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania. The country also has a 480-kilometre-long coastline along the Indian Ocean.
Kenya’s climate ranges from tropical along the coast to arid and semi-arid in the north, and subtropical in the highlands. The climate is largely determined by the rainy and dry seasons. In the highlands, there are rainy seasons from April to June and from October to November. During the dry season from July to August, temperatures here are at their coolest, at around 10°C, while the warmest period is from January to February, with temperatures reaching about 25°C. On the coast, the rainy seasons are from April to June and from October to November. Temperatures along the coast are more consistent than in the highlands, ranging from about 22°C to 32°C.
Arrival and Entry
Many international flights land in Kenya at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, 15 kilometres from Nairobi, or at Moi International Airport, about nine kilometres from the centre of Mombasa. From the airports, onward travel is possible by bus or taxi.
To enter Kenya, visitors need a passport valid for at least six months, a return or onward ticket, and a visa. Tourists can obtain a visa on arrival for a fee, valid for up to twelve weeks. For longer stays, this can be extended once. A yellow fever vaccination is not mandatory for travellers from Germany, but it is recommended.
