Flag of the Republic of Kenya

Facts

  • Population » 48.5 million
  • Languages » Swahili, English
  • Religion » Christianity
  • Life expectancy » 63 years (men), 69 years (women)
  • Currency » Kenya shilling

Geography

  • Area » 582,646 sq km (224,961 sq miles)
  • Kenya is bordered by South Sudan to the northwest, Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Uganda to the west, Tanzania to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the southeast.
  • Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro. (Wikipedia)
Map of Kenya (Source » France)

Map of Kenya (Source » France, 2021)

Maps

Notes

  • Kenya has been described as “the cradle of humanity”
  • Kenya has banned plastic bags
  • Kenya is home to wildlife including lions, elephants and rhinos.

Tourism

  • Kenya Tourism – Magical Kenya
  • Kenya’s natural heritage is a main source of tourist revenue, though this is threatened by encroachment, squatters, and developers, often with links to powerful local politicians. (The Guardian, July 2021)
  • Canadians must be in possession of a visa to transit through, visit, or work in Kenya.
    • Visas can be obtained either on arrival or as an e-Visa prior to travel (takes up to 7 days)
    • Single-entry visas (business or tourism) are US$50, EUR40, or GBP30
    • A transit visa (valid for three days) is US$20
    • An entry visa allows for multiple entries in to Kenya for a period of 90 days provided you have not left East Africa.

Overlanding

  • Drive on Left side
    • The majority of vehicles are right hand drive.
  • International Driving Permit is required
  • Mandatory vehicle kit includes two Safety warning triangles, a first aid kit, two fire extinguishers
  • Bribery by traffic police is common
  • Wild bush camping is possible. Organised camping is very popular.
  • Main port is the city of Mombasa

Adventures

  • Masai Mara National Reserve (Map)
    • known for its annual wildebeest migrations called the Great Migration (YouTube)
  • Amboseli National Park
  • Lake Turkana (Wikipedia)
    • Located in the Kenyan Rift Valley, in northern Kenya, with its far northern end crossing into Ethiopia.
    • It is the world’s largest permanent desert lake and the world’s largest alkaline lake.

Amateur Radio

Safety and Security

  • There is a heightened risk of terrorism throughout Kenya. The Somalia based terrorist group Al Shabaab has carried out a number of past attacks in Kenya and continues to publicly threaten to carry out further attacks.

Government Travel Advice

Posts

Media

Resources