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Kenya

A - Z of places…

History

The first humans are thought to have lived in Africa and powerful African empires formed from the medieval age onwards.

However, today's African nations were shaped by the European powers who colonised this vast continent. Having gained their independence, many African countries are still coming to terms with the legacy left by their colonisers.

Lake Victoria

This massive lake, commonly known as Lake Nyanza, forms a natural boundary between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and is the main reservoir of the Nile. On the shore lies Kisumu, a quiet port town, while to the south fishing villages line the lake towards the broad waters of Homa Bay.

Climate

Africa is a massive continent, with a range of climates. Some regions are hot and dry, like the Sahara, Kalahari and Namib deserts. Other parts are wet or covered in tropical rainforest. Conditions also vary by altitude, from the dry salt pans of the Danakil Depression (one of the lowest points on earth) to the snowcaps (at certain times) of the highest mountains. Weather-wise, Africa has it all!

Health

Africa has a high number of communicable diseases, which place a huge burden on healthcare systems. The vast majority of malaria cases and HIV/AIDS-related deaths occur in Africa; these two diseases currently represent the greatest threats.

With low investment in healthcare and a severe shortage of medical staff, many countries struggle to meet the health needs of their people.

Foods

Africa has some of the most distinctive cuisines and flavours in the world. Food varies widely, but there are commonalities across regions. Depending on what's grown locally, dishes are also influenced by the traders, immigrants and rulers who settled across the continent. Arab, Asian and European elements blend in with traditional African cooking.

Children

Around one in six children born in sub-Saharan Africa don't live to see their fifth birthday and life can be tough for those who do.

What are the common challenges facing African children and how do their lives compare with those of children in the UK?

Women

A woman’s status varies by country and region across Africa. In many parts, women struggle against inequality in laws, education, pay and domestic responsibilities.

Women’s health is also at risk from traditional practices such as early marriage. But with better education, girls can make more informed choices, leading to the greater development of African nations.

Malka Mari National Park

The Malka Mari Park is found in the very north east of Kenya along the Daua River on the Kenya-Ethiopia border. It has an incredibly hot and dry climate with most of the area being either arid bush land or grassland. As a result the park remains very remote with virtually no human settlements. It became a National Park in 1989 because of the large concentration of wildlife it has – both plants and animals.

Malindi

A small coastal town with a long sandy beach called Silversands, which - along with the famous Marine Park - makes it one of Kenya's top attractions. Nearby are the ruins of Gedi, a 15th century swahili settlement and now a national museum.

Lake Turkana

The world’s fourth largest salt lake, Lake Turkana (previously known as Lake Rudolf) is a lake found in the Great Rift Valley, Kenya. It is the world’s largest permanent desert lake and the world’s largest alkaline lake. It even has an active volcano on one of its islands – Central Island – which occasionally emits vapours.

Losai National Reserve

Set in a semi-desert landscape characterized by rocky hills, open plain and riverine woodlands, the Losai National Reserve covers an area of 1806 square kilometres. Though the climate is very dry, there are a variety of species found in the reserve including elephants, gazelles, pythons and cobras.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Over a million flamingos, along with many more species of birds, are attracted by the alkaline waters of this shallow soda lake. The park, which is still recovering from environmental problems experienced in the 1990s, is also home to white rhino, warthog, giraffe, hippo, ostrich, and lion.

Development

‘People are the real wealth of a nation.’ This is the belief of the United Nations, whose Millenium Development Goals provide a framework for improving the lives of millions.

It helps when nations are peaceful, stable and growing economically. But where even the poorest countries focus on health, education and creating fairer societies, more Africans have the chance of a better life.

Tanzania map

Explore Tanzania

Explore some interesting places in Tanzania, including the capital and four of the country’s 40 national parks and game reserves.

Ethiopia map

Explore Ethiopia

Discover Ethiopia and explore some of the main cities, towns, wildlife and famous landmarks.

Matthews Range, Rift Valley

Also known as the Lenkiyio Hills, the Matthews Range is a range of mountains roughly 150 km long that run down from the north of Kenya. Reaching heights of up to 2688m above sea level, the densely forested mountains are home to many large mammals including elephants.

Mount Kenya

At 5,199 metres, this is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second highest in Africa after Kilimanjaro. The mountian is one of the few places so near the equator in Africa where it is possible to glimpse permanent glaciers. Mt Kenya National Park is a Unesco world heritage site.

Mombasa

The oldest and second largest city in Kenya has a rich history stretching back to the 12th century, although the main attraction in the old town is Fort Jesus, located on the coastline and built in 16th century by the Portuguese. Mombasa offers easy access to beaches and a number of nature reserves.

Agriculture & Famine

A quarter of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is undernourished and famines can impact whole regions.

Land is available to grow more food locally, but investment is needed in technologies such as irrigation for land to be used effectively. Farmers must also adapt to climate change if they are to feed the continent's rising population.

Tsavo National Park

Kenya’s largest national park is divided into two - Tsavo West National Park (9000 sq km) and Tsavo East National Park (11, 747 sq km). Its dramatic landscapes are reputed to provide some of the best places in Africa to see lions, elephants, leopards and the famous wildebeest migration.

Geography & Wildlife

With its varied geography and diverse habits, the African continent is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. Though famous for its 'big game' animals, Africa has huge numbers of fish, mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian and insect species, as well as many tree, plant and flower species.

Poverty

Across the rest of the world, absolute poverty has halved over recent decades, but in Africa it has barely fallen.

About two-fifths of the population of sub-Saharan Africa survive week by week on what someone in the UK earns from just one hour's work on the minimum wage.

Masai Mara Game Reserve

The Masai Mara lies in the Great Rift Valley and is one of the best places in Kenya to view large game. The animals are free to move outside the park into huge areas known as 'dispersal areas', where many Masai villages are located.

Nairobi

Kenya's capital city’s key attractions include the Nairobi National Museum, which showcases Kenya's cultural heritage as well as its natural history. Other tourist draws include the Karen Blixen museum (in the house where the Out of Africa author lived), Snake Park and Botanical Gardens.

Games & Sport

Africa is home to arguably the oldest-recorded games and sports. While some are only known through archaeology, modern-day games and sports such as Mancala/Mankala and Nubian wrestling are very much alive today.

Of course, new sports have come along to claim the attention of Africans. You may have heard of one - it's called football.

Uganda Map

Explore Uganda

Have a look and explore some of Uganda’s main attractions, cities and the country’s plentiful wildlife and national parks.