A BOUT KENYA

The Land
Named after Mount Kenya or Kirinyaga, (meaning ‘The Mountain of Whiteness’), which lies almost in the centre of the country and marks its highest point, Kenya straddles the equator and covers an area of almost 600,000 sq km. Lying on the shores of the Indian Ocean, on the east coast of Africa, Kenya borders Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania. Most of the north and northeast of the country is either uninhabited or sparsely habited desert.

Capital City
Nairobi, (taken from the Maasai word Nyrobi meaning place of cool waters), and also known as ‘the Green City in the Sun’ and ‘the ‘Safari Capital of the World’, has an unofficial population of approximately 2.7 million people. It came into being in May 1899 as an artificial settlement created by the European builders of the East African railway, located at ‘Mile 327’ from the coast. Easily the largest city in East Africa, Nairobi is also the youngest, the most modern, the highest (at 1700 m) and the fastest growing.

Environmental Concerns
With one of the highest population growth rates in the world, Kenya requires ever-increasing amounts of agricultural land for crops and firewood for fuel; thus deforestation is a major problem. Some 10 million trees have, however, been planted over the past two decades with the help of private groups and tree nursery program’s. Soil erosion and desertification occur in some areas. Increased use of pesticides and fertilizers has led to significant water pollution and water contamination is a serious problem; only about 30 per cent of the rural population has access to safe drinking water.

Landscape
The landscape of Kenya is distinctly divided into two halves; the eastern half slopes gently to the coral-backed seashore, the western portion rises more abruptly through a series of hills and plateaus to the Eastern Rift Valley, known in Kenya as the Central Rift. West of the Rift is a westward-sloping plateau, the lowest part of which is occupied by Lake Victoria.

The highest point in the country is the snow-capped peak of Mount Kenya (5,199 m), the second highest mountain in Africa (and one of the largest freestanding mountains in the world with a base diameter of 200 km). The coastline extends some 536 km from the Tanzanian border in the southeast, to the Somali border in the northeast. 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.

Climate
Kenya is a range-land country and therefore displays great contrasts in topography and climate: snow-capped peaks give way to deserts, palm fringed beaches to rolling savannah plains, Alpine highlands to the lunar semi-deserts of the north east.

Since the country straddles the equator, the climate remains stable all year. The days are sunny and hot, but the nights can be cool. Broadly speaking January to February is dry; March to May is wet (‘long rains’); June to September is dry; October to December is wet (‘short rains’). The coast is always hot (average daytime temperature 27-31 degrees centigrade).

The average daytime temperature in Nairobi is 21-26 degrees centigrade, while the temperatures elsewhere depend on altitude. July to August marks the Kenyan winter.

Flora
Kenya’s flora is diverse: along the coasts are forests containing palm, mangrove, teak, copal and sandalwood trees. Forests of baobab, euphorbia and acacia trees cover the lowlands to an elevation of approximately 915 m. Extensive tracts of savannah (grassland) interspersed with groves of acacia and papyrus, characterize the terrain from 915 to 2,745 meters above sea level. The principal species

other mammals, including in the dense rainforest of the eastern and south-eastern mountain slopes are camphor and bamboo

Fauna
Despite the tremendous losses inflicted by hunting and poaching during the twentieth century, Kenya teems with wildlife. There are 80 major animal species ranging from the ‘Big Five’ (elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, lion and leopard) down to tiny antelopes such as the dik-dik, which is slightly larger than a rabbit. At least 32 endemic species are endangered.

Avifauna
An ornithologist’s paradise, Kenya is the finest country in Africa for bird watching; boasting around 1,137 species of birds; and 60 IBA’s (Important Bird Areas). To spot more than 100 bird species in a day is common.

National Parks
Kenya’s total wildlife conservation area is 44,359 sq km or 7.6 % of her total area. The main parks are: Aberdare National Park, Amboseli National Park, Hell’s Gate National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Meru National Park, Mt Elgon National Park, Mount Kenya National Park, Nairobi National Park, Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park. One of the most popular tourist destinations, The Maasai Mara, is actually designated a national reserve. There are
two major marine parks: Mombasa Marine National Park and Malindi/Watamu National Park

World Heritage Sites
Fort Jesus
Fort Jesus, now a museum, became the focal point of the island. In the years between 1631 and 1875, the fort changed hands nine times. In 1631, the townspeople revolted and killed every Portuguese on the island, but the Sultan of Mombasa had no real support and the Portuguese reoccupied Fort Jesus and consolidated their control.

The Omanis, who had been steadily gaining strength, took the town and laid siege to the fort from 1696-98. The Santo Antonio de Tanna sank in 1697 while trying to break the siege (and the museum holds numerous relics recovered from the ship). After 33 months Fort Jesus again changed hands, with most of the defenders having died from starvation or disease.

The Gedi Ruins
Gedi is an archaeological site that consists of ruins of a 15th century Arab-African settlement. It covers an area of about one square kilometre. An amazing old growth coastal forest covers much of it. As the whole site is fenced off and guarded, the forest is well protected against encroachment and poaching. It provides an ideal refuge for monkeys and

the rare golden-rumped elephant shrew, duikers, and bushbucks.

The bird life is prolific, resembling the diversity in the nearby Arabuko-Sokoke forest, with several endemic species that cannot be found anywhere else. Encounters with snakes are common, including green and black mambas, forest cobras, and several harmless species. The climate is very hot and humid throughout the year. Luckily, the Indian Ocean is always there for a “cool” bath!

Koobi Fora
Koobi Fora, an archaeological site, is located in east Africa. More specifically, it’s on the east side of Lake Turkana. Richard Leakey first excavated Koobi Fora in 1967. At this site, both Australopithecines and early Homo fossils have been found.

Richard Leakey uncovered approximately four hundred fossils at the Koobi Fora. As a result, the site is known for having the richest and most varied human remains that have been found in the world. Surface prospecting made the first discoveries in the fossil beds at Koobi Fora. This involved locating areas where bones and teeth are exposed as a result of soil erosion.

Some of the finds include a complete skeleton, several skulls, and a few dozen lower jaws. Also found were leg and arm fragments and some teeth. Leakey and his archaeological team recovered a fossil hominid, called 1470, which is classified as Homo habilis. This fossil is associated with the stone artifacts also found at the sites.

The thousands of tools found were thought to have been used for a variety of purposes. The main purpose, though, was to cut meat off of bones and to break open larger bones to get the marrow inside. This creature, Homo habilis, is believed to have lived 2,000,000 years ago and be of direct ancestor of modern man, Homo sapiens.

Mt. Kenya
is a dome-shaped central volcano. It is the largest mountain in Kenya. Ten glaciers cover the volcanoes peaks. The original crater on Mt. Kenya was over 20,000 ft (6100 m) high but has been heavily eroded. Most of this erosion occurred during two periods when glaciers carved much of the top of the volcano.

These periods wore down the ring-like plug forming the top of Mt. Kenya. fact, almost 35% of the volcano has been worn away. Several types of volcanic rocks make up the mountain. The most common rocks are basalts. The Mount Kenya Suite consists of all the rocks erupted from Mt. Kenya and volcanoes that were built by it. It covers 2700

square miles in a 65-mile (105 km) diameter circle around the volcano. Volcanic activity at Mt. Kenya was concentrated in Pleistocene times. Much of this activity took place through the many vents on the slopes of the volcano.

Hell’s Gate National Park
lies south of Lake Naivasha in Kenya, north west of Nairobi. It is known for its wildlife and for its scenery, including the Fischer’s Tower and Central Tower columns and Hell’s Gate Gorge. The national park is also home to three geothermal power stations at Olkaria. Hell’s Gate National Park covers an area of 68.25 square km and is situated in the environs of Lake Naivasha about 90 km from Nairobi.

The park is situated 14 km after the turnoff from the old Nairobi-Naivasha highway. It is characterized by diverse topography and geological scenery. It has historically been an important home for the rare lammergeyer, but it is now thought that the famous pair of birds may not have nested in the park for several years. The park is popular due to its close proximity to Nairobi (90 mins drive) and lowered park fees compared to other National Parks. One is encouraged to hike and cycle in the park.

This is a rarity in Kenyan National Parks, and is only made possible due to the lack of dangerous animals such aand African Buffalo. The park is equipped with 3 basic campsites.

The Maasai Mara National Reserve
is a large park reserve in south-western Kenya, which is effectively the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park game reserve in Tanzania. Named for the Maasai people (the traditional inhabitants of the area) and the Mara River, which divides it, it is famous for its exceptional population of game and the annual migration of the wildebeest every July and August, a migration so immense it is called the Great Migration. With an area of 1510 km² the Maasai Mara is not the largest game park in Kenya, but it is probably the most famous.

The entire area of the park is nestled within the enormous Great Rift Valley that extends from the Mediterranean Sea to South Africa. The terrain of the reserve is primarily open grassland, with clusters of the distinctive acacia tree in the southeast region. The western border is the Esoit Oloololo Escarpment of the Rift Valley, and wildlife tends to be most concentrated here, as the swampy ground means that access to water is always good and tourist disruption is minimal. The easternmost border is 224 km from Nairobi, and hence it is the eastern regions which are most visited by tourists.
Lamu
Kenya’s oldest living town, was one of the original Swahili settlements along coastal East Africa. The port of Lamu has existed for at least a thousand years. An Arab traveller Abu-al-Mahasini who met a Judge from Lamu visiting Mecca in 1441 first attested the town in writing.

The town’s history is marked by Portuguese invasion beginning in 1506, and later the Omani domination around 1813 (the year of the Battle at Shella). The Portuguese invasion was prompted by the nation’s successful mission to control trade along the coast of the Indian Ocean. For considerable time, Portugal had a monopoly in shipping along the East African coast and imposed export taxes on the pre-existing local channels of commerce.

In the 1580s, Lamu led a rebellion against the Portuguese, prompted by Turkish raids. In 1652, Lamu was assisted by Oman in lifting Portuguese control. Lamu’s years as an Omani protectorate mark the town’s golden age. During this period, Lamu became a centre of poetry, politics, arts and crafts as well as the trade. Lamu town is the largest town on Lamu Island, which in turn is a part of the Lamu Archipelago in Kenya.

Lamu town is also the headquarters of Lamu District and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Historical Sites
Kenya has over 400 historical sites ranging from prehistoric fossils and petrified forests, to 14th century slave trading settlements, Islamic ruins and 16th century Portuguese Forts.

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