Kenya

Kenya Flag

Kenya Fact filePopulation: 41,609,728/41.6 millionCapital city/ largest city: NairobiCurrency: Kenyan shillingLanguage: Swahili/EnglishReligion: Vast majority of Kenyans are Christian Type of government: Semi-presidential republicExchange Rate: €1 =111.34 Kenyan shillings Cost of living: Ksh50,000 or US$620 a month if you

are a non-Kenyan family.Main Occupations: Construction, Design, Banking,

Accounting, Business Development and most inTechnology.

Getting to Kenya:Kenya is very accessible. There are over 35

airports. The largest airport is in the capital Nairobi.The length of the flight is aprox. 8 hours.Flights:

1.Ethad Airways –> Dublin – Abu Dhabi – Nairobi €467.00

2.Emirates -> Dublin – Dubai – Nairobi €564.00

3.Ryanair/British airways -> Dublin – London (€19.00 Ryanair) – Nairobi €1155 (British airways)

Time difference: Kenya is 3hrs ahead of Ireland

RequirementsVisas:To get a visitors visa to Kenya this is processed within 24 hours at the

Kenya Embassy in Dublin. Otherwise most EU citizens can apply on arrival at the airport in Nairobi or any entry point to Kenya

Vaccinations:DiphtheriaTetanusPoliomyelitisTyphoidHepatitis A

Also it is advised that you would take anti malaria drugs.

Kenya is made up of a rich mosaic of different people each representing unique cultures which when brought together, add up to the overall vibrancy of the country.

The country has a total of 42 officially recognized tribes.

Each of these tribes has their own unique language, cultural practices, staple food, and style of dress, dance, music and instruments.

However Kenyans are united by two official languages: English and Kiswahili.

The people

Turkana girl Maasai Moran

North and Rift Valley People

Coastal peopleSwahili People

Central People – kikuyu transitional dance dress

Maasai Moran Dancers

Cuisine

Name of food Ingredients

Ugali (Cornmeal Staple) Made from cornmeal that is added to boiling water.

(Mashed Peas and Potato Mix) The most famous dishes in Kenya, a food that originated as a Kikuyu staple.

Githeri (Beans and Corn) Kenyan dish that consists of boiled beans, corn kernels, and vegetables.

Kenyan Pilau (Spiced Rice)  A combination of rice cooked with flavour bursting spices. 

Wali wa Nazi (Coconut Rice)  White rice is cooked with grated coconut meat to create a fragrant twist on plain boiled rice.

Eating Habits Three meals each day; Breakfast in the morning (kiamsha kinywa)

Lunch after noon (chakula cha mchana)

Supper in the evening (chakula cha jioni)

At 10 o'clock tea (chai ya saa nne) and 4 p.m. tea (chai ya saa kumi)

Kenya is the largest producer of tea in Africa. Renowned for its brisk flavor and delicate fragrance, Kenyan tea is the nation’s biggest foreign exchange earner. 

Tea

Economic activitiesKenya's economy is heavily dependent on

agriculture. Kenya is a leading exporter of Tea and Coffee. It also exports vegetables, flowers, and fruits e.g. Mango

Kenyan coffee is unforgettable with a distinctly bold flavour, smooth acidity and mellow wine-like aftertaste. Major markets include Germany, USA, Canada, Sweden, Finland, UK and Saudi Arabia.

Coffee

Sports

Since the first appearance in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, Kenya has produced more world record holders and Olympic medallists in long distance running than any other country in the world. 

Kenya still tops in world sporting events dominating the middle and long distance marathon.

Rudisha, the greatest 800m runner in history, broke his own world record at the Olympic Stadium and won Gold in 1m 40.91sec, he became the first man in history to run two laps of the track in under 1min 41sec, finishing in 1:40.91. Rudisha is famed to have only lost one out of his 46 tracks, he is unbelievably talented.

Kenya’s high quality training grounds have played a big part in developing world class athletes. There are several high altitude training camps in Kenya that attract many International athletes for example the Iten training camp.

The connection between Ireland and Kenya:

Rudisha was trained by an Irish priest Colm O’ Connell in Kenya

Dress CodeGood, light safari wear is recommended for

game driving. At dusk long sleeved shirts and trousers are recommended to maximise protection against insects. Beach wear is suitable for the coast (in resorts and on the beach) but in Lamu make sure you respect Muslim custom by covering up when in this area.

Visiting KenyaKenya is a unique country among few in the

African continent that offers sea, land, desert, experiences in one country. This gives Kenya a varied Physical and climatic conditions, it almost feels like visiting a different country after each region!

Kenya has a diverse range of tourist attractions. It has more than 56 national parks and game reserves.

SafariList of top 3 Safari lodges to stay in

Tortilis CampFrom $320 Per person sharing/Per nightTortilis Camp is an exclusive and elegant lodge, situated in the Kitirua Private Conservancy, bordering Amboseli National Park.

Borana RanchFrom $560 Per person sharing/Per nightBorana Ranch sits on the foothills of the mighty Mount Kenya, with the snow-tipped peaks to the south and a panorama of mountains and rugged desert to the north.

Lewa Safari CampFrom $320 Per person sharing/Per nightLewa Safari Camp is located within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, which forms part of the Laikipia Private Conservancies

Wildlife

Top 3 places to visit

Accommodation

Accommodation