Country information: Kenya

Kenya is a country in Eastern Africa. It shares borders with Somalia, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Sudan. The capital of Kenya is Nairobi.

The country is very sparsely populated, with a population of around 47 million. Most of Kenya's inhabitants live in the south of the country, near the border with Tanzania. The country is very hilly and has many rivers. The most important rivers are the White Nile, Lake Victoria and Lake Tana.

The landscape in Kenya is very diverse. In the north of the country is the Masai Mara, a savannah with many deer, zebras and lions. In the east of the country is the Rift Valley, a gorge with volcanoes and lakes. The highest mountain in Kenya is Mount Kenya, which is 5199 metres high.

Kenya has a tropical climate with hot summers and humid winters. Temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius in the summer months. In January, it rains an average of 100 millimetres a day.

Kenya is a developing country. Many people here live in poverty. However, there are also many wealthy people in Kenya. The gross domestic product per capita is about 1900 US dollars a year.

Kenya is a politically unstable country. Since independence from Great Britain in 1963, several presidents have already been overthrown or had to leave the country.

Kenya has been inhabited for at least 2,000,000 years. The first inhabitants were hunter-gatherers. In the 15th century, the first Bantu peoples migrated to the country. They were shepherds and farmers. In the 19th century, the first Europeans came to Kenya. They were looking for slaves for their plantations in America. In 1885, Kenya was annexed as a British protectorate. The British built roads, schools and hospitals in the country. They also tried to suppress traditional religions.

Kenya's history is complex and often turbulent. Since independence from British rule in 1963, the country has experienced several military coups and political unrest.

One of the most significant events in Kenyan history was the Mau Mau rebellion from 1952 to 1960. The Mau Mau rebellion was a rebellion of the Kikuyu against British colonial rule. The uprising was brutally suppressed by the British and over 100,000 Kikuyu were arrested or killed.

In December 2002, a group of Kenyan soldiers staged an unsuccessful coup attempt. In response, President Daniel arap Moi ordered the arrest of all suspected plotters, including his own nephew.

In December 2007, Kenyans elected Mwai Kibaki as their new president. Kibaki was the candidate of the Party of National Unity (PNU), which was supported by Moi. However, Kibaki's victory was marred by allegations of vote rigging. Violence broke out in December 2007 after Kibaki was declared the winner of the presidential election. Supporters of Raila Odinga, who had run against Kibaki for president and claimed that he had actually won the election, took to the streets to protest. The violence claimed over 1,000 lives and displaced over 600,000 people.

In February 2008, Kibaki and Odinga agreed to form a coalition government. This ended the violence but did not solve all of the country's political problems. Kenya is still recovering from the violence that marred the 2007 presidential elections. The economy has been severely damaged, and many Kenyans are still living in refugee camps.

Kenya's climate is divided into two zones, depending on the altitude: the coastal climate and the highland climate. The country's coast enjoys pleasant temperatures all year round. Only during the short rainy season from April to May is there intense heat, humidity and heavy rainfall. In the highlands, the first major rainy season occurs between the end of March and the end of June. This usually brings short but very heavy showers. During the second, shorter rainy season from mid-October to mid-November, there are rather smaller rain showers.

The best time to visit the East African country is therefore the dry season from mid-December to mid-March. The somewhat cooler months from June to October are also a good time to travel to Kenya. During the rainy season, a visit is not recommended at all because the roads are often impassable. In addition, many animals seek shelter from the rain and therefore cannot be observed.

Kenya's landscape is diverse and spectacular. The country offers dreamlike coastlines with lagoons, deserts, savannahs, seascapes and high mountains. Due to the diversity of the landscape, Kenya's flora and fauna are also particularly diverse.

The coast is characterised by white beaches with coconut palms and coastal forests with numerous tropical plants. The savannah, on the other hand, is dry and has rather sparse vegetation.

Kenya's highlands are home to mountains with tropical rainforests that are home to numerous colourful birds, snakes, monkeys and other animals. Exotic wild animals such as lions, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, leopards, gazelles, antelopes and buffalos live in the numerous national parks.

Kenya is particularly well known for its ‘red elephants’, which cover themselves in red dust to protect themselves from the hot sun and insects.

The currency of Kenya is the Kenyan shilling (KES), also known as “Bob” by locals. One Kenyan shilling is divided into 100 cents. Currently, you can get about 120 KES for one euro. Since the exchange rate is subject to fluctuations, it is advisable to check the current rate on the internet. Although the KES is the only official means of payment in the country, payment in US dollars is also accepted in most cases. However, it should be noted that only US dollars with a date of manufacture from 2000 onwards are accepted. The import and export of foreign currency is allowed without restriction.

Currency can be exchanged directly at the airport upon entry. Alternatively, in larger cities you can change money at exchange offices, banks and some hotels. You can also withdraw cash in the local currency from ATMs. These are mainly located in urban areas and at petrol stations. However, you should be especially careful when withdrawing money and make sure that you are not being spied on and that the ATM is not manipulated.

Credit cards are accepted in most larger hotels, restaurants and some shops. However, in rural areas and in smaller shops, it is usually only possible to pay in cash. Since ATMs are rare in sparsely populated areas, you should always carry a sufficient amount of cash.

When travelling in Kenya, it is advisable to wear light-coloured, long clothing to protect you from mosquitoes and the strong sun. Clothing made from natural materials is particularly suitable thanks to its breathability.

For safaris, you will need durable and comfortable clothing as well as sturdy, sure-footed shoes.

Headgear and sunglasses provide protection from strong sunlight. Since you will probably have numerous opportunities to swim during your trip, you should also not forget your swimwear. As the evenings can get cool, you should pack a sweater or jacket for the late hours. At dinner, you should preferably wear long, neat trousers.

Kenya is considered a relatively safe country to travel to, which is easy and pleasant to travel around. Nevertheless, after dark there is an increased risk of crime in some districts and urban areas, particularly in the townships of the capital, Nairobi. Travellers are advised to only move around in groups and only on well-lit main roads during the night if possible. If you are in any danger, you can contact the representative of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The roads in the country are often asphalted, but in some areas they are in poor condition and therefore difficult to drive on. Although the country drives on the left, drivers usually use the side of the road that is in better condition. Drivers should take particular care in the north and northeast of the country, as there are occasional reports of armed robberies in these areas. Night driving should be avoided altogether due to unpredictable road conditions. There are increasing warnings about travelling in minibuses and shared taxis, as the vehicles are often technically unsafe and speed limits are mostly not observed.

The official languages of Kenya are English and Swahili. Swahili is also called Kiswahili and is one of the most important lingua francas in Africa. The language is not only used in Kenya, but also in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Uganda and Mozambique. Numerous other African languages and dialects from the Nilotic and Bantu language families are also spoken. Kenya's linguistic diversity is characterised not only by numerous African cultures, but also by immigrants from Europe, India and Arab countries. The Kikuyu language, for example, is particularly widespread, spoken by around a fifth of the country's population.

Due to Kenya's former British colonisation, English is still the second most important lingua franca in the country today. A large proportion of the native population has a basic knowledge of English. The language is particularly prevalent in education, tourism and trade, as well as in government business. However, as the pronunciation differs greatly from standard English, communication with Kenyans sometimes requires particularly attentive listening.

The power supply in the country does not always meet Western European standards. Although all Kenyan cities have electricity supplies, even the country's largest cities experience occasional temporary outages. In rural areas in particular, the electricity supply is not always guaranteed. However, most hotels and lodges have generators that can be used to produce electricity in an emergency. These may only be used at certain times of the day, however. A power supply during the night is therefore not always guaranteed.

The power grid corresponds to the British standard with a voltage of 240 volts and a frequency of 50 hertz. Due to the minor differences to the German power grid, electrical devices can be used without concern. However, since three-pronged outlets of type G are common in Kenya, German holidaymakers will need a suitable adapter for their devices.

Kenya's landline telephone network is very poorly developed. However, with an average of 1.1 mobile phones per person, mobile phones are now very widespread throughout the country. The GSM network is predominant in almost all areas, which means that you can usually make calls with your own phone without any problems. However, due to the high roaming fees, it is much cheaper to purchase a Kenyan SIM card. You can get one either when you arrive at the airport, in special shops in the cities or before you leave via the internet. For example, prepaid cards for your mobile phone are available from the Kenyan mobile phone network provider Safaricom. This is characterised by particularly good network coverage and a stable connection. With the SIM card, you also have the option of using the mobile internet at affordable prices. However, you should bear in mind that the network often does not cover very rural areas. Only about 1 per cent of the population has a fast internet connection at home. Instead, there are numerous well-frequented internet cafés in the country's larger cities. In addition, most hotels, as well as some restaurants and cafés, have internet and wifi. Internet reception is generally good in the cities. In remote safari camps and lodges, there is usually only one wifi hotspot near the reception. In many cases, the signal does not reach the last lodge in sprawling camps.

Medical care in Kenya is far from meeting European standards. Public hospitals often lack trained staff, medication and equipment. However, in Nairobi and Mombasa there are some modern hospitals that are comparatively well equipped. In particular, private practices and clinics provide travellers with good medical care.

Well-trained doctors also provide medical care in the tourist centres on the coast. A doctor is usually available through most larger hotels and lodges. In the more remote areas, however, medical care is very limited. The hygienic conditions in the district hospitals are mostly inadequate. However, in the event of an emergency, it is usually possible to organise an air ambulance service.

All of the country's larger cities have pharmacies that are generally stocked with all the usual essential medicines. However, travellers should bring sufficient quantities of rare and prescription drugs from home.

Statutory health insurance does not cover travel to Africa. To avoid taking any risks during your trip, you should take out suitable travel health insurance before you travel. In any case, you must apply for insurance cover before entering the destination country. With some providers, this is even possible on the day of departure. Before taking out insurance, you should make sure that the sum insured is sufficiently high and that the cover also includes expensive treatments, long hospital stays and repatriation to your home country.

However, you should bear in mind that medical and medication bills must always be paid locally in cash. In many cases, this is even required before you are discharged or treated. In the event of illness, you should contact the representative of your health insurance company as soon as possible. Upon presentation of the invoices, you will normally receive a refund of the treatment costs as soon as you are back in your home country.

There are currently no travel warnings for Kenya. Since security situations can change quickly, you should regularly check the current safety information from the Foreign Office. If you feel at risk or threatened during your trip, you should not hesitate to contact the German Embassy in Nairobi.

Kenya offers generally safe travel conditions. The security and political situation in the country is considered stable. There are usually strict security checks at hotel entrances and train stations, which include the screening of luggage and vehicles. Since a large part of the country's population makes a living from tourism, the locals welcome visitors. Nevertheless, there are some areas in the country that are considered less safe, including in particular the border area with Somalia. To avoid any risks, you should not visit touristy areas and should observe some safety precautions and rules of conduct. Valuables and travel documents should never be carried openly and should be deposited in the hotel safe or handed in at the reception if possible.

On a trip to Kenya, you can admire the unique beauty of African nature and get to know the heritage of numerous cultures. On round trips, you can discover many attractions – from seemingly endless savannahs and deserts with wild animals, to high mountains with rainforests, to exotic dream beaches. The country's towns and cities also offer special, unforgettable experiences. You will encounter exciting contrasts every day on your travels.

The East African country attracts numerous visitors from all over the world due to its unique beauty. The country's nature reserves are particularly popular destinations, including the species-rich Masai Mara Reserve, Tsavo National Park and Amboseli National Park. The latter offers spectacular views of the snow-capped Kilimanjaro. Thanks to the flourishing tourism industry, Kenya now has a well-developed infrastructure, including a railway network and numerous bus connections. You can discover the country either on a guided group tour or on your own in a rental car.

New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Labour Day and Christmas Day are celebrated in Kenya on the same days as in the UK. Other public holidays are Madaraka Day on 1 June, Mashujaa Day on 20 October, and Independence Day on 12 December.

Kenyan cuisine offers numerous delicious traditional dishes. Typical of the country are a corn porridge called ugali and wheat flatbreads called chapati. These are served with boiled white cabbage, occasionally with goat or chicken meat. The Kenyan barbecue Nyama Choma is also very popular. Fish and seafood such as crabs and prawns are more commonly eaten on the coast. The local cuisine also offers many exotic fruits such as mango, banana and pineapple. In the larger cities, you can also get international specialities from numerous countries around the world.

Water or an intense ginger-flavoured lemonade called Stoney Tangawizi is usually drunk with meals. Kenyans often drink sweet tea with milk and ginger for breakfast. Kenyan Tusker beer and various types of beer from neighbouring Tanzania are also popular throughout the country. When consuming water, you should always make sure that you only drink boiled water or packaged and sealed water from the supermarket.

During Central European Summer Time, which lasts from the end of March to the end of October, there is a time difference of only one hour between Germany and Kenya. When it is 9 o'clock in the morning here, it is 10 o'clock in Kenya. During Central European Winter Time, which lasts from the end of October to the end of March, there is a time difference of 2 hours. When it is 9 a.m. in Germany, it is already 11 a.m. in Kenya.

Since the African country is located in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are opposite to those in Europe.