Nairobi (Kenya)

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Nairobi is best characterised by the variety of locally-given descriptive names, representative of the city's contrasting images - of wealthy spacious suburbs, charming flower-lined streets and a refreshing climate, alongside crime, corruption, filth and poverty. Names like 'Green City in the Sun', 'City of Flowers' and the Masai name 'Place of Cool Waters' attempt to overshadow the all too real version of 'Nairobbery' that stands as a well-found warning to newly arrived tourists.

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Nairobi is one of Africa's largest and most interesting cities. It is a place of enormous energy, a tireless and thriving bustle of people, and a city of differences. Assorted races, tribes and origins are all a part of its make-up. Rural immigrants and refugees are drawn by the hope of wealth and opportunity, international businessmen are attracted by profitable business prospects, and tourists are promised the makings of the perfect safari. The city centre buzzes with the energy, aspirations and opportunism of moneychangers, safari touts, would-be thieves, food vendors and trinket sellers, prostitutes, shoppers, security guards, and sharp-eyed shoe shiners assessing the footwear of the hurried throngs. Among them are the disillusioned faces of the unemployed, the beggars and the destitute.

Kenyatta Avenue is the city's favourite tourist image, a broad avenue fringed by trees and flowers that was originally designed to allow a twelve-oxen team to make a full turn. There are several museums and places of interest in the centre, including the National Museum and Snake Park. There are numerous markets selling traditional crafts, especially the appealing Masai market. Just outside of the centre is the Nairobi National Park, and the nearby Bomas of Kenya host performances of traditional dancing and singing. The Langata Giraffe Centre offers visitors the chance to hand-feed the Rothschild giraffes who inhabit the area.

Nairobi is also the safari capital of Africa and a good base for travel in Kenya. From here excursions and safaris can be arranged to any of the national parks or reserves in the country.

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Population: 33.829.600
Languages: English (official), Swahili (national), and numero
Currency: Kenyan shilling
Currency code: KES
Local Times:
Kenya - Nairobi

Country Dialling Code: +254
Voltage: 240V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 parallel circular prongs with an earth connector

2 parallel circular prongs with an earth connector

Kenya is the 'Land of the Lion King' and sits at the centre of the African safari experience, with an outstanding variety of wild animals and Big Five opportunities. Although safaris are its greatest attraction, it is a country of great diversity with much more to offer than splendid wildlife. Essentially it is a place for outdoor living - the coast offers beaches and water-based activities, the mountains present a challenge to hikers and climbers, and the rolling savannahs are a game-viewers paradise.

The Republic of Kenya (Jamhuri ya Kenya) is located on the equator in East Africa. Kenya has an area of 224,961 square miles, slightly smaller then Texas with a population of 26,164,000 and growing. The capital is Nairobi holding a population of 1,200,000, seventy percent of which are African. Although English is the official language there are hundreds of different tribal dialects currently in use with Swahili being the most popular. Kenya is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan and the Indian Ocean which provides some of the best beaches along Kenya's coast.

The country sits astride the equator and offers fabulous scenery and a variety of tribal cultures. From its central location, the sacred peaks of Mt Kenya reign over a landscape primarily covered by grasslands and thorn trees, much of it enclosed within its many parks and reserves. To the west the spectacular Great Rift Valley is sprinkled with lakes teeming with a variety of birdlife, whose shores and surrounds are traversed by agricultural farmlands. To the east lies the promise of an idyllic beach holiday with the requisite white palm-fringed beaches and pristine coral reefs. Inhabiting the highlands and Rift Valley are two of the most well known of the numerous tribal cultures, the Kikuyu farmers and the tall, red-clad Masai cattle herders. The coast is home to ancient Swahili civilisations and old port towns that are rich in a history of exotic spice trading and fighting.

Kenya has a sophisticated tourism infrastructure, with two major cities controlling the majority of the tourism trade. Nairobi, the capital, is the safari and hiking hub, situated in the cool Central Highlands, while on the east coast the hot and humid trading port of Mombasa functions as the gateway to the resorts and pristine beaches of the area. Sadly the heavy influence of tourism has meant excessive prices for safaris, souvenirs and most activities of interest to foreigners, as well as the constant hassle by touts, guides and sellers to part with as much money as they can dupe the guilty traveller into spending.

Despite this, the people are friendly and visitors can choose to do as little or as much as they like, and the combination of wildlife, together with its beaches and mountains, make Kenya a fantastic holiday destination.

Relax on a tropical beach enjoying the glorious Kenya sunshine or enjoy the 'Real Africa' and combine your holiday with our range of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 night safari options - it's up to you!

Most of Kenya safari packages can be included within a 7 or 14 night holiday allowing you the freedom and flexibiility of creating your own, very special, once in a lifetime experience.
The startling contrasts of landscape and the outstanding natural beauty of Kenya must be seen to be believed. Long stretches of white sandy beaches are lapped by crystal clear, turquoise waters protected by the coral reef, which runs almost the entire length of the coast.

Inland, nowhere on earth can claim such a dense profusion of wildlife in such spectacular surroundings. From the legendary wilderness of Tsavo, ASC's exclusive Kimana game reserve, the majestic peak of Kilimanjaro, the rain forests of Mount Kenya to the stunning savannah of the Masai Mara - Kenya really does welcome you to a lifetime experience.

From the moment you arrive in Kenya, you will be struck by the warmth and friendliness of the local people who are genuinely happy to receive guests from anywhere, perhaps a leftover from bygone days.