Untold Kenya Facts

Do you need information about Kenya facts? On this site, we are privilege to show you all the true facts about Kenya and why you shouldn’t miss your cheap vacation in Kenya.

Fun Facts about Kenya

Where Is Kenya?

Kenya is a popular East African destination for visitors, it has many natural attractions including Mombasa, Mount Kenya, the Masai Mara and the Turkanaland. Kenya is a large country and its infrastructure isn't great so it takes time to get around. Kenya have a very friendly reputation and other than petty theft, violent crime is quite rare.

Kenya is located in East Africa and is made of rolling plains rising to central highlands tipped with mountains and split by the Great Rift Valley with a fertile plateau in the west and with a 536 km coastline against the Indian Ocean. Kenya boarders with Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia,

Uganda and Tanzania. Kenya is named after Mount Kenya (Kirinyaga – the Mountain of Whiteness) It is said to be the Cradle of Humanity. The main rivers are the Athi/Galana and the Tana.

The major lakes are Lake Victoria, Turkana, Baringo, Naivasha, Magadi, Jipe, Bogoria, Nakuru and Elementeita.

The Capital City Nairobi (Nyrobi meaning ‘the place of cool waters’ in Maa) is 1,700m above sea level the highest city in east Africa and is known for its green parks and colonial architecture. 

Time Zone: UTC+3, 12 hours of daylight, Sunrise is typically at 06:30 and sunset at 18.45.

Population: approximately 37,953,840

Electricity: 220 – 240 volts AC, with standard 13-amp three square-pin plugs.

Currency: Kenya Shillings (KES)

Languages: English is the official and Kiswahili, over 72 Indigenous Languages

Calling code: +254

Area: Total 582,650km2, land 569,250km2, water 13,400km2

Climate, Weather And Nature In Kenya

Climate: Kenya has a varied tropical climate, from hot and humid along the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and north east. Across the country the average daytime temperature range is 27 – 31 degrees centigrade while in Nairobi daytime temperature is 21 – 26 degrees centigrade, temperatures elsewhere climate depends on altitude.

The rains run from April to June, with a secondary rainy season from October to December. The hottest period is from February to March and coldest in July to August.more 

Top - Best Tourist Attraction In Kenya

Natural Attraction: The annual animal migration – especially the wildebeest migration occurs between June to September with millions of animals taking part, making it a popular event for animal lovers and film makers.More

Culture And People Lifestyle In Kenya

Local Culture: Casual dress is accepted everywhere and bring sweets if invited into a local home. Shaking hands is the norm, but try to avoid discussing politics. Tribal life is very comfortable, and the Masai are known for being welcoming; admiring the herds of cattle or goats will certainly win their favor.More

Food - What To On Kenya Tour?

Food: Traditional Kenyan cooking is simple but filling, and includes nyama choma, barbecued goat, and other meats or fish with beans and sauces. Washing down a meal with a beer is common practice. International Cuisine is available in most hotels and restaurants. Fast food chains like Steers, Nandos are common in most urban areas.more

Tipping; Kenya Tourism

Tipping: Tipping is appreciated, most hotels and restaurants include a 0% service charge, check your bill and add up to an additional 5% for excellent service if it has, and 5% to 10% if it has not. Add a few dollars a day for guides and drivers when on safari.more

Kenya Visa

Visa and health certificate: A valid passport, not expiring for at least six months, is required for entry into Kenya. A valid entry visa is also required and may be obtained in advance from the Kenyan Embassy or High Commission in your country of origin, or upon arrival in Kenya. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required ONLY if you are from an infected area. more

Flights And Airports - Transport In Kenya

Flights and Transport: Numerous international carriers serve Kenya, Kenya has 3 international airports. Internal flights (both scheduled and charter) operate from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, Mombasa and Malinda to the main towns and national parks.

Minivans and buses are the primary mode of transport with Taxi available outside the main hotels, shopping arcades, and central city/town points. There is a single –track railway from Mombasa to Kisumu (via Nairobi). Water transport is on Lake Victoria and the Coastal areas of Mombasa- Zanzibar cruises.more

Health And Immunization

Health and Immunization: Protect yourself as much as possible from mosquitoes by wearing long sleeves/trousers and using mosquito repellant, since mosquitoes carry malaria, dengue and yellow fever. Get expert advice on malaria preventives as Malaria prophylactics can be highly effective.more

Currency And Exchange In Kenya

Currency Exchange: Foreign currency can be changed at banks, forex bureaus, hotels and airports. The Kenya Currency is the Kenya Shillings. Credit cards are widely accepted, and although currencies and traveler’s checks can be exchanged in the local banks, you will find commission-free rates at the exchange bureaus in the larger cities.

When To Visit - Tour Kenya

When to Visit: Kenya has two main tourist seasons, from January to February, and June to September, both coinciding with the drier conditions throughout the country and higher rates for flights and hotels.

October will give you lower rates but avoids the thick of the rainy season, and is also the best time to catch the annual migration of the wildebeests heading south, and you can also help celebrate Kenyatta Day on October 20th.More

Tourist Accomodation In Kenya - Hotels Safari Lodges

Where to Stay: Kenya’s tourist infrastructure is well established and hospitable; the range of accommodation is comprehensive from backpackers to five star hotels.more

Shopping In Kenya - Where To Buy

Shopping: Kenya has a variety of handicrafts from the different tribes or regions, like the Kisii stone (soap stone) carvings, Maasai jewelry, Mkonde wood carvings, Lamu chairs and batiks. Find a wide selection of handicrafts at the Maasai Market. There numerous supermarket chains in the big towns/cities  like Uchumi & Nakumatt with a variety of items to choose from.more

The Economy Of Kenya

Economy: Kenya’s economy is based on agriculture and tourism. Agriculture employs 80% of the population, contributes 20% to GDP and accounts for 50% of export earnings. Tourism is the largest source of income. The industrial base contributes around 18% of GDP.more

Telecommunications - Kenya

Telecommunication: Public Pay phones are available in major towns/ cities, with mobile phone coverage countrywide. Internet cafes operate in most urban areas. Emails can be sent from most hotels, as can faxes and telexes.

Tourist Destinations - Top In Kenya

Destinations: National Parks - Aberdare, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Mount Kenya, Nairobi, Tsavo, Meru, Mount Elgon, the marine parks & beautiful beaches at the coast.more

Nature Wildlife Photography - Kenya Safari

Photography: It is considered courteous to ask people if you may take their picture before doing so, especially in far-flung rural areas. A small (token) payment for the photograph may be expected or a polite appreciation than anything else.more

Do's And Don'ts - Kenya Tour

Do's and Don'ts: It is an offence to:- smoke in public place, deface a Kenyan banknote, buy or take drugs and remove wildlife products or products with elephant, rhino or sea turtle derivatives. Swearing and blasphemy are inadvisable. more

Kenya Fun Facts

Kenya is also home to some fun and goofy truths. Here are some quirky facts about the small country.

Dowries are still traditional in Kenya. The groom’s parents must pay a dowry to the bride’s family otherwise their son will not be able to wed his bride. Dowries start at 10 cows.

Kenya doesn’t have a middle class. Their citizens are either very rich or living below the poverty line.

Coffee is a huge export in Kenya, but it is not consumed in the country. Kenyans believe that all of the coffee they produce should be sold outside of their country, so they drink tea or beer.

Most Kenyans sleep under a mosquito tent in order to keep from getting bit. Many diseases can be transferred by mosquito bites, so sleeping under a net is also a safety precaution.

Kenya was ruled by the British for almost 100 years. They gained their independence in 1963.

The country has two distinct seasons, a rainy and a dry season.

Kenya is a beautiful country that is home to over 40 ethnic communities. Its people are very relaxed, and often can be found working in the fields or in some sector of agriculture.

The country’s climate ranges from tropical on the coast to very hot and arid in its interior. Each year, thousands of people visit Kenya to see the wonderful wildlife and nature that the country has to offer. It is a great place to visit and to see wildlife.

Kenya Facts for Kids

Kenya is a beautiful country with a lot to offer. Children often don’t learn much about Kenya in school; however it is an interesting country to study. Here are a few facts that will make kids want to know more about the country of Kenya.

The two official languages of Kenya are English and Swahili, but there are dozens of indigenous languages spoke throughout the country.

Lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo can all be found running free in Kenya. Due to this, many tourists who visit the country go on safaris.

The country is named after Mt. Kenya, which is the highest point in the country and is 17,057 feet high.

Over half of the country’s population live in poverty.

Kenya is widely known around the world for its distance runners. The country frequently has runners win Olympic medals for middle and distance running.

Interesting Facts about Kenya

Kenyans have many traditions and customs that date back centuries. Here are a few interesting facts about traditions and customs found in Kenya, and the history that shaped their culture today.

Kenya is comparable in size to Texas.

Tourism is a huge generator of income for Kenya. People come to the country to see the nature, and go on safaris.

Kenya’s drink all of their beverages at room temperature. Many Kenyans don’t own refrigerators, so they keep their food products and drinks at room temperature.

Kenyan men can have more than one wife if they want.

Scientists have estimated that the Great Rift Valley found in Kenya was formed over 20 million years ago when the Earth’s crust began to split.

A new constitution was founded in 2010, which split the power of the country into 47 counties.