3.
4.
What languages are
spoken in Kenya?
Some of the oldest known
paleontological records of
man have been found
in Kenya.
English is the language of communication in Kenya and is widely
spoken in hotels, restaurants and establishments.
Kenya’s Great Rift Valley
was formed around 20
million years ago when the
earth’s crust was split.
Karibu Kenya
Kiswahili is Kenya’s national language and a little Kiswahili can go
a long way. It is worth learning a few words, as most Kenyans are
thrilled to hear visitors attempt to use any Kiswahili at all.
Guide to Kiswahili
5.
The 20km radius around the
town of Iten has the largest
concentration of Olympic
gold medalists.
• Habari • Hakuna matata • Jambo • Karibu • Kwaheri -
6.
Matatus, 14-seater buses
are common in all cities,
but only recommended for
the seasoned traveler!
Additional translations can be found at the
Kenya Tourism Board Website
www.magicalkenya.com or in most travel guides.
7.
Safari is a Swahili word
meaning ‘to journey’, but is
now used all over the world
to mean holiday.
The Cradle of mankind
The 7th new wonder of the world
Experience the annual wildebeest migration at the Maasai Mara.
8.
Before marriage, Kenyans
still pay dowry to the bride’s
family, an amount that often
starts at 10 cows.
9.
Kenyan men are allowed to
have more than one wife, as
long as the irst wife agrees.
How are you?
No worries
Hello
Thank you
Goodbye
Personal Safety and Health
Kenya is no diferent from any other destination in the world. It is
recommended that you leave valuables and airline tickets in the
hotel safe, avoid displaying expensive possessions and walking
through unlit urban areas at night. Whilst in the bush, be sure
to follow the guide’s instructions. There are very good private
hospitals in Kenya with facilities comparable to those in other
parts of the world.
The lying doctor service operates immediate help and evacuation
services from the remotest parts of the country to the nearest
hospital, perhaps even faster than you might get through the traic
to your local hospital at home. The facility is available for a small
membership fee and can be organized by your tour operator.
Fruit, Thrift and
Maasai Markets
Kenya is a tropical country with many
common and exotic fruits, which can be
bought at any fruit and vegetable market
around the country.
There are many open-air thrift markets
in Kenya, particularly in major cities
like Nairobi. You can always haggle,
sometimes down to half the original
price, but it’s prudent to take a local
guide or friend with you and to dress
down and carry very little.
10. Kenyan environmentalist
professor Wangari Maathai
was the irst African woman
to win the Nobel peace
prize in 2004.
Maasai markets are a Kenyan
phenomenon selling arts and crafts,
beadwork, woodwork, eccentric
jewelry and cultural knick-knacks from
communities around the country. They
revolve at diferent malls around Nairobi,
depending on the day, with some
permanent markets available for tourists.
What to eat
Kenya’s tourism attractions
Kenya is known for its wonderful array of exotic and international
cuisines, with inluences from many diferent cultures.
Wildlife
UNESCO World
Heritage Sites
1. Lake Bogoria is a saline, alkaline lake
that lies in the volcanic region south of
Lake Baringo, which is famed for its hot
springs, geysers and over 1.5 million
lamingos during the peak season.
Wildlife in Kenya is
legendary, ranging from the
Big Five, to 1132 species
of birds and millions of sea
creatures, including rare
species that you only get in
the 9 marine parks in Kenya.
Entering Kenya
Visitors require a passport to enter Kenya.
Passports must have a
suicient number of unused
pages for endorsements
abroad and must be valid
for at least six months past
the projected stay in Kenya.
Visitors will also require a visa
to enter Kenya.
2. Central Island also known as
Crocodile Island is a volcanic
island located in the middle of
Lake Turkana in Kenya.
Halal food widely available
Try keeping to established
hotels and restaurants for
meals. Bottled mineral water
is available in every hotel and
supermarket and hotels and
lodges provide safe water in
a thermos lask in guest rooms.
What to try; Ugali, a Kenyan
maize-meal staple, which
is often served with a side
sukuma wiki (fried kale) and
beef stew.
KENYA TOURISM BOARD
P.O Box 30630-00100,
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel:+254 020 2711262
Fax: 254 020 2719925
Email: [email protected]
www.magicalkenya.com/tembea
The Republic of Kenya is a sovereign state in the African Great
Lakes region of East Africa.
he country, fondly known as the land of splendor, lies
on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to the south-east,
Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, South Sudan to
the north-west, Ethiopia to the north and Somalia to the northeast and occupies an area of sq km 582,646.
Kenya has a population of
about 44 million, with over 42
ethnic communities and is widely known
for its wildlife, world class beaches and
athletes.
Culture
Kenyan culture is a melting pot of
diferent beliefs, habits and rituals
stemming from the 42 diferent tribes.
3. Fort Jesus (Forte Jesus de
Mombasa) is a Portuguese
fort which was built in 1591 on
Mombasa Island to guard the
old port of Mombasa.
4. Mount Kenya is the highest in
Kenya and the second highest
in Africa, after Kilimanjaro.
5. Lake Turkana National Park
is a group of three national
parks located in Kenya.
6. Kaya (plural makaya) is a
sacred forest of the Mijikenda
people in the former coast
province of Kenya.
Apply for your Visa online
With three simple steps, you
can now apply for your visa
and have it approved in real
time.
To apply for a visa, log on to:
World-class beaches
and islands
Kenya’s beaches have often
been named amongst the top in
the world and make up 480km
of sandy white beaches which
border the warm waters of the
Indian Ocean, and are dotted by
award winning boutique hotels.
@Magicalkenya
Cradle of Mankind
Known as the Cradle of
Mankind, it is believed that
Kenya has been inhabited for
as long as human history has
existed. The landscape is a
beautiful mix of mountains,
plains and deserts, fringed by
the warm waters of the Indian
Ocean.
For a taste of traditional foods
from diferent communities,
try Githeri (a stew of maize
and beans) from the Agikuyu,
Omena (little fried ish) from
the Luo, Ingokho (chicken)
from the Luhya, Wali wa nazi
(coconut rice) from the Swahili
and Chapati (pan fried lat bread)
from the Indian community and
Mursik (fermented milk) from the
Kalenjin.
Magicalkenya
Welcome to the
T
Traditional cuisines
Kenya’s wilderness parks are famous worldwide for protecting and
showcasing a broad range of habitats and species. Some of the
many animals you can see include the fabled “Big Five”: elephant,
lion, bufalo, leopard and rhino, as well as other animals such as
zebra, wildebeest, cheetah, girafe, hippo, crocodile, monkey,
gazelle, impala and birdlife. Take a beach safari on the coral-reef
protected coast to view tropical ish, dolphins, sea turtles
and more.
http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html
7. Lamu is a small town on
Lamu Island, which is part
of the Lamu archipelago.
Cultural DOS and DON’TS
8. Mount Kenya National Park,
established in 1949, protects
the region surrounding Mount
Kenya.
DO smile and say hello, even to total
strangers. Kenyans are warm people
who will say hello to anyone.
They will often respond to a greeting
by saying ‘ine’. Some will ask about
your family and personal life, kindly
take this as a show of concern.
DON’T take it as them prying into
your personal life.
Restaurants with Wi-Fi
Kenya has growing mobile and internet accessibility particularly in
major cities, but it sometimes be challenging to ind in the
Fun Facts about Kenya
1.
Kenya is roughly the same size as France at 582,646 sq km.
2.
After cofee, Kenya’s biggest income generator is tourism; for
Kenyans however, cofee is considered an export product and
not as popular as tea and uji.
Adventure
Mountain climbing, rock climbing, hiking and white water rafting
are some of the many adventures you can get a thrill from in
Kenya, as well as skydiving, hot air ballooning and a variety of
adrenaline fuelled watersports.
9. Lake Nakuru is one of the
rift valley soda lakes, at an
elevation of 1,754m above
sea level and is a haven for
lamingos.
Try a diferent kind
of safari
You don’t have to be extreme to
enjoy your adventure safari.
Try strolling through the
breathtaking scenery of the
Kenya highlands, camel
riding on the Kenyan deserts,
horseback riding, ishing in the
lakes and hot air ballooning;
there are so many ways to have
diferent kinds of fun in Kenya.
What type of currency is used in Kenya?
The oicial currency is the Kenyan shilling. Visitors can change
foreign currencies at banks or authorized hotels and bureaus.
Most international currencies are easy to exchange in Kenya.
Travellers-cheques are widely accepted and many hotels,
travel agencies, safari companies and restaurants accept credit
cards.
Most banks in Kenya are equipped to advance cash on major
international credit cards. ATMs are found in major cities and
towns all over the country.
10. Sibiloi national park lies
on the northeastern shore
of Lake Turkana in Northern
Kenya. It serves as the
protection of wildlife and
paleontological sites, and is
internationally known for its
fossils.
From February 2014 the region
launched the tripartite Visa
that allows you to visit Kenya,
Rwanda and Uganda using a
single visa. For details please
consult the Kenyan embassy or
consulate nearest to you.
To download a visa application
form, log on to:
http://www.kenya-airways.
com/defaulthome.asp