Kenya as a resort may appear a surprising prospect, but the truth is that this African country has a landscape that gives tough competition to the best in the world. The long, seemingly never-ending plains to the rainforests, Kenya boasts of sensational diversity.

The capital of Kenya is Nairobi, which is a resort in itself, and the main sea port is Mombasa, which is again a very interesting tourist resort in itself. The people speak English and Kiswahili, which happen to be the Kenyan official languages. There runs a belief that mankind originated in Kenya and Tanzania, and fossils have been found in the regions of Lake Turkana and Olorgasailie that strengthen this belief.

Kenya is well connected through trains and buses connecting Nairobi to Mombasa and Malaba. Buses may be a quicker option but are generally more crowded than trains. There also exists a mini bus service that is best avoided.

Sights and Sounds

Being an African nation, there is no missing the rich animal life in Kenya with elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions all presenting a captivating sight for the tourists. Kenyan cities are a rich blend of tradition and modernity, and those that are tired of holidaying on beaches, Kenya may prove to be more adventure than can be handled.

Architecturally, Kenya takes you on a tour from the ancient mud houses to relatively newer timber houses to the modern brick and mortar housing facilities in cities like Nairobi. Architecture in the town of Mombasa may be found influenced by European, African and Arabic styles while Lamu, recognised as a UNESCO World heritage site, can be seen as influenced by the Swahili culture. The contrast between these architecture styles is a revelation for tourists.

Kenya got another World Heritage site in 2008 in form of the Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests. These forests are home to the fortified villages of Mijikenda people that date back to as early as 16th century. These villages are known as kayas, and are now overlooked by the Council of Elders.

Mount Kenya is another tourist attraction in the form of an extinct volcano, with the distinction being that mount Kenya is the second highest peak in the continent of Africa. Galana and Tana are the two rivers in Kenya, and there are two lakes that tourists like to visit: Turkana and Victoria.

The national parks of Lake Turkana and Mount Kenya became the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, and since then have witnessed an increase in tourist count. Kenya is also home to over a thousand species of birds, including the migratory bird, waterfowl. Leopards, chimpanzees, crocodiles – the wildlife is wildly varied in Kenya, and going on a safari, especially in Kenya, is one of the best things you could ever do.

African music is famous around the world, and the image that comes to mind is drums. Kenya is no exception, and Kenyan tribal music features drums and dancing. Traditional music includes Benga and Tarabu. Tourists like to watch the Samburu and Maasai dance performances.

Food

Kenyan food is a mix of Kenyan traditional and Indian influence. Traditional everyday staple is Ugali which is a type of porridge made from millet flour or maize. Stews, kebabs and groundnut soups are famous and tourists must give them a try. Diet also includes beans, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and cassava. Spices and coconut is used extensively and fish and chicken also feature in the cuisine. Tourists can also find Indian food here in the form of samosas that are stuffed triangular patties, pilau rice and chapattis.

There are a variety of fruits that tourists can enjoy in Kenya. Bananas, mangoes, apples, pineapples, peaches, papayas and grapes – the variety is too good to resist. Tea is the preferred drink, and is taken sugared and hot.

Diversity in wildlife and richness of cuisine has made Kenya an attractive option for tourists looking for heady blend of adventure and relaxation, and this has amounted to tourism becoming the highest revenue-grosser for the nation.

Activities and Shopping

Tourists can take part in many sporting activities in Kenya - football, cricket, and golf to name a few. Water sports are also immensely popular in Kenya, and available options for tourists are snorkelling, surfing, skiing, diving, and fishing.

Batiks and wood carvings are uniquely African souvenirs that are available for purchase. Soapstone is also found.

Facts

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