KENYA

A wonderful land of views, scents, colors and good people.

INFORMATION ABOUT KENYA

Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya (in Swahili: Jamhuri and Kenya, in English, Republic of Kenya), is a country in East Africa, bordering Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Tanzania to the south, l 'Uganda to the west and South Sudan to the northwest, with the Indian Ocean washing its southeast coast. Lake Victoria lies to the southwest and is shared with Uganda and Tanzania. Its capital is Nairobi.

The country covers 580 km² of surface area and its population is 367 million inhabitants with people of many cultures and origins. The country's name is due to Mount Kenya, a traditional place in the country and the second highest mountain in Africa. Kenya is also known for its biodiversity in animals and a wide variety of ecosystems.

Tourism is currently Kenya's main source of foreign exchange, followed by flowers, tea and coffee. In 2006, tourism generated $803 million in contrast to the previous year's $699 million, in 2019 a whopping $1,61 billion.
Tourists are attracted by the beaches and reserves, in particular by the Tsavo National Park (20,808 sq km) in the south-east of the country, which has many representative species of the continent such as the elephant, the giraffe, the zebra, the lion and the other large mammals and African species, which contribute to local tourism. This tourism has contributed to the economic recovery that the country has enjoyed in recent years.

CLIMATE AND TIDES

Kenya enjoys an extremely pleasant climate all year round. The heat is never excessive and temperatures vary between 20 and 32 degrees. As it is a temperate tropical climate, summer and winter blend together. Kenya is crossed by the equator, the length of the day is the same as the night, always.
There are two rainy seasons: in spring between April and June and in autumn, short-lived, from October to November, although in recent years the heavy rains have been progressively decreasing. These are always showers of water but of very short duration, and then the sun immediately returns to shine. The rainy season does not stop tourism as they are very limited during the day and for a few hours, sometimes minutes. In the central highlands the climate remains favorable, but at night temperatures drop as the altitude increases. They are ideal areas for Safari.

CLIMATE IN WATAMU

Watamu and the natural phenomenon of the tides in its Marine Park allows you to see unique and different landscapes depending on the water level.
Relaxing and unforgettable swims in the small and large natural pools that are created at low tide and pleasant swims inside the coral reef in the crystal clear water at high tide.

HOW TO GET

There are many airlines that reach Kenya, it is possible to make direct flights or with a stopover to reach Mombasa or Malindi.
Charter flights are operated by Neos, Meridiana, Alitalia and KLM. Prices range from €700 upwards.
Scheduled flights, via foreign airlines, are often more convenient in economic terms, for example Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Egyptair, Katar, etc. they all make a stopover and prices vary from €450 upwards. Flights will also start soon for Malindi International Airport, we are all anxiously waiting!!!
There are many other companies that can take you to Kenya. Rates are purely indicative and vary depending on the period for low, medium and high season.
You can also apply for the visa online by clicking here it will be sufficient to create your account, have a passport photo in jpg format, the plane ticket and passport in PDF format, a credit card will be required to pay for the visa itself.

HOW TO MOVE...

... BY TUK TUK

Typical means of transport for short trips, very useful for reaching various points of interest in Watamu, reaching the various beaches and going to the many clubs. With very reasonable prices you can make practical trips.

...car with driver

For more comfortable trips, such as transfers to and from the airport, or visiting Malindi, it is possible to use cars with driver. With modest prices they offer excellent support for all needs.

...BAJAJ

A way to get around, there are many motorbikes that provide the mototaxi service, it becomes very quick and fast in every situation. To go out to eat, to go to the beach or to various points of interest, etc. very economical and fun, they are also able to travel on dirt roads. Furthermore, they are very polite in carrying out their work, they slow down when approaching potholes or any road instabilities.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Country information

The official languages are Swahili and English although Italian is spoken very well. The currency is the Kenyan Shilling KES or KSH. The time zone is +2 hours (+1 instead in the summer period) compared to Italy. The Passport must be valid for at least six months from entry into the country, with at least one blank page available; the entry visa (valid for up to three months of stay) already described above.

Health warnings, vaccinations, prophylaxis and precautions

Malaria is almost absent in the coastal area and rarely present in the inland parks, prophylaxis is recommended. The yellow fever vaccine is not required. The anti-hepatitis A and B vaccine and the typhoid vaccine are recommended. It is not recommended to eat raw or undercooked foods while it is recommended to consume only bottled water and soft drinks, even if cases of intolerance are extremely rare in Watamu.

Best time to leave

The climate varies greatly between the coastal area and the mountainous interior. However, it is better to avoid the periods between the end of April and May and between October and November, as the rains can disturb your stay. The best season, even if more expensive in prices, is December-January-February-March, when the climate is good and you can witness the large migratory waves of birds passing through Kenya, but also from July to September with warmer weather. mild.

The places not to be missed in Kenya

Mombasa, on the ocean, is Kenya's second city after Nairobi, lively and interesting for the architecture of the Old City and Fort Jesus. Its international airport is an arrival point for Malindi (international airport shortly) and Watamu or in more secluded places such as the small island of Kiwayu and Marafa (Hell's Kitchen). The main attraction of the country is represented by the large nature reserves. Those who want to learn about Swahili culture must visit the island of Lamu, a UNESCO world heritage site.

In your suitcase

To take part in a safari, pack comfortable cotton clothing in your bag, colors that blend in with Nature are preferable. Canvas hat, short-sleeved shirt for the day and long-sleeved shirt for the evening, to protect you from mosquitoes, vest and long trousers with practical pockets. For the cold winter nights we recommend a sweater and windbreaker and even in summer a spring jacket is useful. High and sturdy shoes. Powerful binoculars and of course a video camera and camera are useful. Always important to wear sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

SMALL GESTURES OF SOLIDARITY

When the passion for sport is true, it doesn't matter where and how it takes place, the important thing is to play...
Thanks to all these guys who gave Team Rafiki thousands of smiles.

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