Kenya
Country · Africa, Eastern Africa
Located in Eastern Africa, Kenya shares borders with Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. It covers 581,309 square kilometers and has a population of about 57.5 million people, with Nairobi serving as the capital.
Highlights
This site covers 12 notable sights across the country. Natural landscapes define much of the travel experience, including the Great Rift Valley, which holds UNESCO status, and parks such as Maasai Mara, Amboseli National Park, and Nairobi National Park. Visitors can also explore Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, and Hell's Gate National Park, or visit Mount Kenya. Historical and cultural sites include the UNESCO-listed Fort Jesus, the Ruins of Gedi, and the Vasco da Gama Pillar in Malindi. The United Nations Office at Nairobi is also available for visitors.
Food and drink
Local cuisine includes staples such as Ugali and Githeri. Other options include Nyama choma, Kisra, and the local drink Changaa.
When to go
Based on the weather in Nairobi, the driest months are June, July, August, and September, which see the least rainfall. These months are cooler, with daily highs ranging between 21 °C and 24 °C. The months of April and November experience the highest rainfall, with 191 mm and 118 mm respectively, making these periods wetter for travel.
Practical notes
The currency is the Kenyan shilling. Swahili and English are the languages spoken. The country uses type G plugs with a voltage of 240 V. Driving is on the left side of the road. Kenya operates on UTC+03:00 time.
Cities
Food and drink to try in Kenya
- Ugali
- Kisra
- Nyama choma
- Changaa
- Githeri
Top sights in Kenya
Weather by month
The warmest month is February, with an average high of 26 °C. The wettest is April, with about 191 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 25 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 |
| Average low, °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Rainfall, mm | 53 | 41 | 84 | 191 | 130 | 26 | 20 | 18 | 24 | 61 | 118 | 84 |
| Rainy days | 7 | 5 | 10 | 19 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 20 | 14 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Nairobi (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Aberdare National Park
- All Saints' Cathedral, Nairobi
- Buffalo Springs National Reserve
- Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family, Nairobi
- Giraffe Centre
- Haller Park
- Holy Ghost Cathedral, Mombasa
- Jamia Mosque
- Kakamega Forest
- Karen Blixen Museum
- Karura Forest
- Kaya
- Kenyatta International Convention Centre
- Lake Elmenteita
- Lake Turkana National Parks
- Lamu Fort
- Mount Kenya National Park
- Mount Longonot
- Nairobi Railway Museum
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy
- Panga ya Saidi
- Portuguese Chapel, Malindi
- Samburu National Reserve
- Shimba Hills National Reserve
- Sibiloi National Park
- Tana River
- Thimlich Ohinga
- Thomson's Falls
- Tsavo East National Park
- Tsavo West National Park
- Uhuru Gardens