Hello friends! Are you ready for an amazing adventure that is full of fun and entertainment? Because today we will take a trip to a country called the Republic of Kenya in East Africa!
If you want to learn more about Kenya don’t forget to download our activity package:
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As soon as you land in Kenya, you will feel a heartwarming welcoming response from the locals. Thanks to the immigrants from across the world who live here, Kenyans are genuinely open to hosting new people. They offer food, shelter, and even a free tour of all the interesting places!
The Official Language of Kenya
Now, I know what you’re wondering: “How are we going to communicate with the locals?” Well, Kenya’s official language is Swahili, but a total of other 60 languages are commonly spoken here, such as Kikuyu, Akamba, and Maa. But don’t worry, English is the second official language spoken in Kenya, so many people will be able to understand you, even if you don’t speak Swahili.
Speaking of Swahili, how do we say “Hello” in Swahili? It’s very easy, we say “Jambo.” We also use “Asante Sana” to say “thank you very much” and “Rafiki” to say “friend.” Now you’re ready to explore Kenya!
The Kenyan National Flag
As soon as you enter Kenya, the first thing that you are going see is the Kenyan flag which consists of three colors: black, red, and green. The flag is printed with two spears and a Maasai shield which is a big oval shield decorated with shapes and symbols. It represents unity, peace, and the country’s defense.
The Landscape of Kenya
Kenya has a wide diversity of its lands. Many people think of it as a barren wasteland, because of movies like the Lion King, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! It has some spectacular landscapes; from lush green areas to beautiful islands that are a treat to your eyes!
Moving Around in Kenya
Oh! Wait, stop! What about our transport system? How are we going to get to these beautiful places? Don’t worry, it is very simple, you can either rent your car or take public transport. The most common public transport in Kenya is the “matatu,” a small and colorful bus. Another option is taking a ferry from the coast, which is a big ship used to transport people and sometimes cars across a lake. But I think taking the Matatu is more fun; the rough and crazy travel of this public transport is an adventure in itself.
Cities in Kenya
There are three big cities in Kenya: Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nairobi, this one is the country’s capital, and, just like the other capitals of the world, it is sophisticated and classic. With its city life, it’s a great place to start your adventure.
People say that living in Nairobi is living close to the hustle and bustle of life. It has shopping markets, health facilities, and restaurants all close to you. You can also get banking and internet facilities here. So, you can say it has acquired a way different living style as compared to other parts of the country.
While we explore, we travel back in time. I’m not joking, you can actually do it! Well, in some way you can. You see, Kenya has a very rich history, especially in places like Lamu Island, also known as the Lamu Old Town. In this place, which dates back to the 12 century, you can witness shows on the coast and see donkeys wandering in the streets. It also has such ancient and historical buildings and architecture, you’ll be amazed by how it holds its authenticity even in the 21st century.
Diani Beach in Kenya
As we mentioned before, Kenya has some of the world’s best beaches and coastlines. Like the Diani beach where you can experience a camel ride! Have you ever ridden a camel on the beach before? Well, here you can do it. Now, if you are in the mood for parties, you can wait for the sun to go down on Diani beach because here you will find Kenya’s best nightlife. Here you can enjoy restaurants and BBQ parties, there are even some nightclubs for grown-ups too! It’s the best place to hang out with friends.
Beautiful Wildlife in Kenya
Now let’s talk about what Kenya is best known for. It’s beautiful wildlife! That’s why you can see lots of Safari Parks here. Safari Parks are huge natural reserves where you can see wild animals wander freely. It’s like a zoo but way better! There’s no need to be afraid! They won’t hurt you because these animals are generally pretty friendly to humans. And predators like lions are very lazy and will sometimes lie in the road in the way of your safari car.
Kenya is also known for The Big Five. Wait! it’s not the game you may be thinking of. Kenya is home to five African animals that are simply known as The Big Five. Can you guess which ones? Don’t worry, I’ll tell you: These animals are the lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhino. If you want to see them all together, you can visit the Nairobi National Park situated in the capital of Kenya.
Speaking of animals, did you know that cows are also very common in the rural areas of Kenya? Especially within the Maasai tribe, which is an ethnic group inhabiting northern, central, and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They’re very distinctive in the way they dress and their customs, such as ceremonies where they eat raw cow meat. They also drink raw milk daily, and on occasion, they drink cow blood! I know, Yuck! But wait! According to an investigation made by Dr. Weston A. Price in 1935, most Maasai tribes are very healthy! I’d rather eat tons of vegetables and fruit. What do you think?
Kenyan Cuisine
Thinking about fruit and vegetables got me hungry. So let’s explore the delicious cuisine of Kenya. The most popular dishes are Githeri and Ugali. Githeri is a combination of maize and legume beans. All of them are boiled together. It’s full of protein that makes us strong. You can say it’s the basic kids’ food because it is served in almost every Kenyan secondary school. Ugali is the Kenyan version of cornmeal porridge. It is a dish eaten in almost every household. Corn or maize is the main ingredient of it. If you like curries or veggies, you can combine them with Ugali to make a tasty dish! I bet you will love it!
Sports Played in Kenya
With such nutritious food is no wonder why Kenyans are so good at sports. They love to play football, volleyball, and soccer. You may have seen them in the World Olympics as well, especially Eliud Kipchoge, the best runner in Kenya. He holds the world record for winning a 42-kilometer marathon in a time period of 2 hours, 1 minute, and 39 seconds. That shows how strong and powerful Kenyans are.
Kenyans also organize a unique sports event on the beaches known as a beach volleyball tournament. It engages the Kenyan youth in sports. Both girls and boys excitedly take part in the tournament.
The Entertainment Lives of Kenyans
Now that we are discussing what Kenyans love to do, let’s jump into their entertainment lives. Kenyans are very fun-loving and vibrant people. They love to dance and hang out. The nightclubs and bars are filled with young people from the evening to all night long. They also love music, just like you and me. Kenyans love hip-hop, jazz, blues, and Congolese rumba dance music. However, the pop genre is the one that appeals to most Kenyan youth.
Kenyans are creative and strong people. While visiting their markets, you will surely come across their artwork, and mostly that is traditional. You will see their artwork from Nairobi to Mombasa. Kenya has massive production of wood sculptures. Do you like art? In the Nairobi art gallery, there are wonderful pieces of artwork that show the history and culture of the capital.
We know Kenya for its wildlife, so how can we miss the Wildlife Art Gallery? It sells sculptures of animals of different species—even their paw-shaped artworks, which will blow your mind.
The Customs and Traditions in Kenya
When talking about culture and the people of Kenya, we can’t forget about their customs and traditions, can we? A great example is Christmas! It’s very similar to the Christmas we know on this side of the world, like when the family gets together to exchange gifts, although Kenyans have their own way of celebrating. Popular Christmas foods include a barbecue which can be a goat, sheep, beef, or chicken. This is eaten with rice and chapati flatbread. This big meal is called “nyama choma.” In Swahili Merry Christmas is “Heri ya Krismasi” and the response is “Wewe pia” (you also). In the Maasai language, it’s “nchipai e Kirismas.”
Christmas in Kenya is something definitely special, and the best time to visit the country! In December the rains are short and you have the chance to see newborn animals and migratory bird species.
But what if you want to be at home for Christmas? Then anytime from June to October is also a good time to travel to Kenya. The weather conditions are not harsh, and more likely to be suitable for outdoor activities, so pack your bags with light clothes. This season time all vocational and tourist places are open so that you will have more fun.
But unless you want to see the country during the cooler rainy season, then you must visit between March and May. At this time of the year, you are more likely to witness rainfall due to the huge forests in the area.
So, if you want to explore the famous and beautiful Kenya, don’t forget to check the weather before planning your trip!
