Kenya – the land of vast savannas and snow-capped mountains.
Kenya has a variety of national parks that are the focus of most to travel and represent safaris in Kenya. The largest national park in Kenya is the Tsavo National Park, which is divided into an east and west part. The most famous national park in Kenya, however, is the Masai Mara, the northern foothills of the Serengeti. There is a large variety of animals here, especially in the months of July and August, due to the breathtaking Herd walks, where the entire horizon is usually littered with thousands of wildebeests, zebras, antelopes, buffalos and impalas.
Other important national parks in Kenya are Amboseli and Meru. Also worth seeing is the National Park in Nairobi, a smaller animal reserve near the capital of Kenya. Nowhere else can you see giraffes and elephants so close to a big city skyline. A vacation in Kenya is definitely worth it.
The musical scene in Kenya is also of a high standard. In Nairobi, for example, there are many national and international music events every year. In addition to musical performances, dance and acrobatic shows are also shown. There are also numerous groups and bands here in Kenya dedicated to the original and traditional music of Kenya. The group of Gonda Traditional Entertainers and the Original Zengala Band are outstanding. The most famous and internationally known band is probably the Safari Sound Band, who have already achieved platinum status several times with their sales. The Safari Sound Band has toured Europe several times and is also celebrating great success in Kenya.
The more classic sounds come from choral music. Kenya has many choirs, this music is strongly based on religious chants, for example in the gospels. Here, too, some of the Kenyan choirs have become internationally known.
Area: 582,367 km² (land: 569,140 km², water: 11,227 km²)
Population: 41.07 million residents (July 2011, COUNTRYAAH.COM), making Kenya one of the most populous countries in Africa. The population consists of 32 different races, the five largest (Kikuyu 22%; Luhya 14%; Luo 13%; Kalenjin 12%; Kamba 11%) make up more than 70%. In addition, Arabs, Masai, Asians and some Europeans live in Kenya.
Population density: 70.5 people per km².
Population growth: 2.462% per year (2011, CIA)
Capital: Nairobi (about 3 million residents).
Here is a current list of the largest cities in Kenya.
Form of government: Kenya has been a presidential republic since 1963 and is represented in the Commonwealth. The constitution dates from 1963, the last constitutional amendment was made in 1997. The unicameral parliament (Bunge) consists of 224 members. The head of state is directly elected every 5 years. Kenya has been independent of Great Britain since December 12, 1963.
Administrative division: 7 provinces (Central, Coast, Eastern, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western) and the capital district of Nairobi.
Head of state: President Uhuru Kenyatta, since April 9, 2013
Prime Minister: Prime Minister Raila Odinga, since April 17, 2008
Highest point: Mount Kenya, 5,199 m
Lowest point: Indian Ocean, 0 m
Language: Kiswahili and English; In addition, over 30 African languages are spoken, including Kikuyu, Luo and Masai.
Religion: Protestants (45%), Catholics (33%), Muslims (10%), natural religions (10%) and minorities of Jews and Hindus.
Local time: CET + 2 h.
In Kenya there is no change between summer and winter time.
The time difference to Central Europe is +2 h in winter and +1 h in summer.
Telephone code: 00254 or +254
Internet identifier:.ke
Mains voltage: If there is electricity, then 220/240 volts alternating current, 50 Hz. In some hotels you can also find plugs for shavers with 110 volts. Take the adapter (three-pin plug) with you!
Geography
Kenya, which got its name from the highest mountain in the country, Mount Kenya, lies on both sides of the equator between 4 ° north and 4 ° south latitude and between 36 ° and 41 ° east longitude.
Kenya is about the size of France, borders Somalia in the northeast, Ethiopia in the north, Sudan in the northwest, Uganda in the west and Tanzania in the south. The Indian Ocean lies to the east.
Here you can find a detailed topographic map of Kenya.
In terms of landscape, Kenya is divided into four regions: desert in the north, savanna in the south and fertile plains on the coast and on Lake Victoria.
The coastal lowlands run south of Malindi as a narrow strip, in the north of the city the lowlands spread far into the hinterland and reach the greatest extent on the Tana River with 250 km. The coast itself is strongly structured and characterized by bays and lagoons, in the south of Mombasa there are also coral reefs.
The coastal hinterland rises to the west to heights of almost 1,500 m.
In the west there are hill and table countries that rise to a highland on which the capital city of Nairobi is located. The highlands are cut by the East African Rift Valley, which includes the city of Nakuru and Aberdare National Park. The trench, which is up to 80 km wide and 1,200 m deep, is part of the large African trench system, which represents a wide crack in the earth’s crust. The Rift Valley is characterized by basin landscapes, extinct volcanoes and partially runoff lakes. Mount Kenya too(5,200 m), which is covered by a national park, and Mount Elgon (4,321 m) are located at the trench. From a geological point of view, the processes that led to the formation of the trench system are relatively young. About 12 to 13 million years ago, the surface of Central Kenya bulged. Volcanic eruptions occurred in many places, with rocks thrown out of the earth’s interior. At the end of the Tertiary, the vault collapsed at its apex – the East African trench with slopes of up to 1,200 m deep developed.
The trench bottom rises slightly southwards from Lake Turkana in the north. In part, the rift narrows to about 30 km. The Lake Victoria Valley forms a connection between the two main arms of the African trench system.
The vast majority of Kenya in terms of area, the desert-like north with Lake Turkana, is hardly developed and is still mainly populated by nomads such as the Turkana and Samburu.
Population in Kenya
This map of the population distribution in Kenya was created by the Worldmapper team. Densely populated areas appear bloated, the area of sparsely populated areas is reduced. The shape of the grid has been preserved; an underlying map with the original geographical extent helps interpret the map. The distorted map should help to present abstract statistical information clearly.
Visa requirements
Passport: is generally required for trips to Kenya, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry.
Visa: Generally required
Citizens of many countries can obtain the visa upon arrival at the airport for a maximum stay of 3 months, but it is recommended that you obtain the visa in your home country before you travel to avoid long waiting times. At the airport, the tourist visa costs $ 50. All visitors receive a visitor ‘s pass upon entry. Travelers without a valid return or onward ticket must provide a cash deposit that will be refunded upon departure (not recommended).
Transit: Transit travelers who fly on to the next connection, have valid documents for the return or onward journey and do not leave the transit area do not need a transit visa.
Validity period: 3 months. Extensions can be requested from the Immigration Department in Nyayo House, Uhuru Highway, Nairobi, Mombasa or Kisumu.
Application: In person or by post to the consulate or the consular department of the embassy.
Residence permit: Applications to the Immigration Service: The Principal Immigration Officer, PO Box 30191, Nairobi.
Documents:
Tourist Visa: passport that is still valid for at least 6 months and has at least three free pages – an originally completed application form (no copy, no fax) – fee (cash, check or transfer) – an original passport photo (no scan) – copy of the Confirmation of travel booking or a copy of the return flight ticket.
Business Visa: in addition a company letter from the German company about the purpose and duration of the trip and a confirmation of the assumption of costs.
Here you can download the visa application form for Kenya.
A free envelope with registered mail must be enclosed with the application.
Cost of issuing a Visa: 40.00 euros
Processing time: about 14 days, with express processing 7 days. Send your documents to the Kenyan embassy no earlier than 8 weeks before departure.
Sufficient funds: All travelers must have a return / onward ticket and sufficient funds of at least US $ 500 upon entry.
Entry with children:
Germany: Children need their own passport (child’s passport or electronic passport) to enter Kenya.
Austria: own passport for children.
Swiss: own passport for children.
Entry with pets:
For dogs and cats, a health certificate and rabies vaccination certificate, which were issued in the country of origin, are required. The rabies vaccination must be carried out at least one and a maximum of 12 months before arrival. In addition, an import permit must be presented, which can be requested from the Livestock Officer, Veterinary Department in Kenya. The processing time for this is at least 30 days.
