About Kenya

Kenya, or the Republic of Kenya as it is formally known is an East African Nation of 224,962 square miles, of which, due mainly to large lakes, 5,173 square miles are water.

Kenya's capital city is Nairobi, home to almost three million Kenyans, Mombassa, the famous port city is home to approximately seven hundred thousand citizens.

Kenya shares borders with Ethipoia, Somalia,Tanzania,Uganda and Sudan, to the east the country is bounded by the Indian Ocean.

Kenya was known as the British East African Protectorate until 1920, when it was renamed Kenya after mount Kenya. Its British history still shows through with English, being widely spoken alongside Swahili amongst the 32 million population, a legal system based on the English model and UK three pin electrical plugs being the norm.

Kenyan Climate

Kenya has a tropical climate. Near the coast it is hot and humid, inland temperate, with the land becomming dryer as you head north. The hottest part of the year is found between February and March. the coolest times are from july to August. there are two rainy seasons, April to June and a shorter wet season from October to December. The annnual wild life migration to the Masai Mara occurs after the firs rainy season, usually starting in June.

Travel to Kenya

Kenya is well served by scheduled international airlines, British Airways,KLM,Virgin Atlantic, and of course the national carrier Kenya Airways to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) which is approximately fifteen kilometers form the centre of Nairobi.

Many charter arilines also operate flights to Kenya, with Mombassa (MBA) being particulalry well served due to the number of beach resorts.

Visas for Kenya

Many nationalities require a visa to visit Kenya, you should check with your local Kenyan emabassy or consulate for current requirements.

For example British visitors, at the time of writing this, pay 60 GBP for a multiple entry visa, which is valid for a year, or 30 GBP for a single entry visa. As a British citizen it is actually possible to obtain a visa on entry ot Kenya, however there can be extensive queues so it is not recommended.

More information on Kenyan visas from the Kenyan high comission.