The word “Kenya” as a geo-political entity came into being in 1920 when some forty (40) African chiefdoms brought together under the British protectorate through a treaty presided over by the Imperial British East African Company (IBEAC) at the turn of the 20th century became a fully-fledged British colony. It covers an area of 582,647 square kilometres and befits the status of the geographical heart of the African continent as it lies astride the equator.
The equator line which bisects Kenya into two halves, makes Kenya unique in that it offers visitors with an opportunity to see both the northern hemisphere habitats such as the Samburu National Reserve, and Southern hemisphere options such as Masai Mara where the annual migration of the wildebeests between the months of July and September present the biggest wildlife show on Earth.
The Great Rift Valley, which extends for 6,000 Km from Lake Baikal in Russia to Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania is also most pronounced in Kenya where it houses Lake Turkana, Baringo, Bogoria, Nakuru, Elementeita, Naivasha, Magadi and Natron. These lakes make Kenya one of the most spectacular bird watching destinations in the world. Lake Nakuru was in July 2005 branded ‘a bird watchers paradise and a word class park’. The Rift valley lakes are home to half of the word’s flamingos. Lake Magadi is second saltiest water body in the world after the Dead Sea which is also another Rift valley Lake.
Another important geographical feature, which defines Kenya, is Mt. Kenya which 17,058 ft above sea level, presents the only place in the world where snow occurs on the equator line. The equator line which bisects Kenya into two halves, makes Kenya unique in that it offers visitors with an opportunity to see both the northern hemisphere habitats such as the Samburu National Reserve, and Southern hemisphere options such as Masai Mara where the annual migration of the wildebeests between the months of July and September present the biggest wildlife show on Earth.
With an area of over 20,000 square Kilometres of African jungle, Tsavo East and West National Parks still remains one of the most complete ecosystems in Africa accommodating more than half of Kenya’s elephants and the only remaining population of free ranging Black rhino.
Kenya’s hotels and game lodges are recognised internationally as being among the best in the world. Ranking high on the list of favourites are the unique Tree hotels on the foothill of Mt. Kenya and Aberdare mountains which provide floodlit water holes that attract a continuous flow of game while visitors bask in luxurious comfort above.
Kenya’s 500 Km Palm-fringed coastlines is a wonderland of beautiful beach resorts with every water sport imaginable, lagoons, coral reefs and marine parks.