Money
National currency: 1 Kenyan shilling corresponds to 100 cents.
Currency abbreviation: KSh, KES – ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG
Banknotes of 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20 KSh as well as coins of 40, 20, 10, 5 and 1 KSh are in circulation.
Currency exchange: Is possible in all major banks, in exchange offices (which can be found everywhere) and in authorized hotels. Banks take higher fees than exchange offices. Black traders are discouraged. Currency exchanges must be confirmed on the foreign exchange form every time and foreign exchange offenses can be severely punished.
Kenyan Shilling Exchange rate:
Currency converter at OANDA
Credit Cards: are becoming increasingly popular in Kenya. The most common cards are Eurocard and Visa and are widely accepted by hotels, travel agencies, safari organizers and in restaurants.
Travelers checks: can be exchanged in the banks. US dollar travelers checks are recommended. Travelers checks are often accepted, but Eurochecks are not.
Health and Diseases
Vaccination protection: A valid vaccination against yellow fever is required for all travelers older than one year when entering a yellow fever area. This is not required for entry from Germany, but is recommended.
The Federal Foreign Office’s health service also recommends vaccination protection against tetanus, diphtheria, in particular poliomyelitis (polio) and hepatitis A, and for long-term stays over 4 weeks, additional hepatitis B, rabies, typhoid and meningococcal meningitis.
The standard vaccinations for children according to the recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute should be up to date.
Malaria: Around 120,000 cases of malaria occur in Kenya every year. The transmission takes place through the bite of blood-sucking nocturnal Anopheles mosquitoes. If left untreated, especially dangerous malaria tropica (over 85% of cases in Kenya!) Is often fatal in non-immune Europeans. The disease can break out weeks to months after your stay. If fever occurs during this time, it is necessary to inform the attending doctor about staying in a malaria area.
There is a high year-round risk in the tourist centers on the coast and in the rainforest areas. There is little risk in Nairobi and at altitudes above 2500m in the provinces of Central, Eastern, Nyanza, Rift valley and Western.
Depending on the travel profile, chemoprophylaxis (taking tablets) is useful. Various prescription medications (e.g. malarone, doxycycline, Lariam) are available on the market for malaria prophylaxis. The choice of medication and its personal adjustment as well as side effects or incompatibilities with other medications should be discussed with a tropical medicine / travel medicine before taking it.
Due to the mosquito-borne risk of infection, all travelers are advised to
- wear body-covering clothing (long pants, long shirts),
- Repeatedly apply insect repellant to all free parts of the body all day (dengue, see below) and in the evening and at night (malaria!)
- to sleep under a mosquito net if necessary
HIV / AIDS: 1,200,000 cases of HIV / AIDS infections were reported in Kenya in 2005. In 2003, 6.1% of the adult population and, depending on the region, 25-90% of the prostitutes were HIV positive. Due to heterosexual and homosexual contacts, drug use (dirty syringes or cannulas) and blood transfusions there is always a high risk. Condom use is always recommended, especially on the occasion of acquaintances.
Diarrhea and cholera: Appropriate food and drinking water hygiene can prevent most diarrhea and especially cholera.
Some basic rules:
Only drink water of safe origin, e.g. bottled water, never tap water. In case of emergency, use filtered, disinfected or boiled water. Use only drinking water for washing dishes and brushing your teeth. The following applies to food: cooking, peeling or disinfecting. Be sure to keep flies away from your food. Wash your hands with soap as often as possible, but always after bowel movements and always before food preparation and before eating. Hand disinfection, where appropriate, use disposable towels.
Other infectious diseases:
Dengue fever is a common cause of coastal fever. Dengue is transmitted by the diurnal mosquito Stegomyia aegypti. In individual cases, serious health problems can result in death. Mosquito repellent is the only precautionary measure.
Schistosomiasis (schistosomiasis):The risk of transmission of schistosomiasis exists when bathing in fresh water (eg Lake Victoria) throughout the country. Bathing in open fresh water should therefore always be avoided.
Altitude sickness: If you climb Mt. Kenya within the framework of tourist activities, health problems are possible (acute altitude sickness – consultation with a family doctor regarding your own previous illnesses). For symptoms of altitude sickness see also the leaflet of the health service.
Medical care: Medical care in the country cannot be compared with Europe and is often technically, apparatusally and / or hygienically highly problematic. European trained specialists are also often lacking. Medical care in Nairobi is good. The city is the seat of a regional doctor from the Federal Foreign Office and also has a number of German-speaking doctors. There are also English-speaking specialists in all specialties. In some hospitals there are wards that also meet higher demands in terms of accommodation. An emergency medical service for urgent illnesses, accidents etc. is set up there.
Simple – moderate operations can be performed in selected hospitals, particularly in Nairobi. In an emergency, complex interventions are also possible, but more difficult operations or operations that are not performed frequently here should be carried out after consultation with a doctor in Europe or South Africa.
It is not necessary to bring medication with you, except for a home pharmacy that is also common in Germany, unless individual people are dependent on special medication or large cities are not visited. The pharmacies in Nairobi have a good assortment of all important standard medicines. Counterfeit drugs with unsafe content do occur.
The completion of a private health insurance is possible in Kenya. The cost of medical treatment in Kenya is often significantly more expensive for Europeans than in Germany. Tourists coming to Kenya should have additional travel health insurance. People who want to stay in Kenya for a longer period of time should have private health insurance that covers treatment costs in Kenya but also in Germany. It is recommended to take out air rescue insurance with the German air rescue service and locally for travel within Kenya with AMREF (“Flying Doctors”).
Before you go to Kenya, get advice from a tropical medicine advice center / a tropical medicine / travel medicine.
In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:
A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information as well as a liability for possible damage cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.
Local Travel Options
Attention: The Federal Foreign Office advises to travel in a guarded convoy when traveling by car to the northern parts of Kenya and the coastal region north of Malindi. The safest way to travel to these areas is by plane.
Airplane: Kenya Airways (KQ), Mombasa Air Safari, Safarilink and AirKenya connect all points of interest in Kenya with Nairobi. Round trips to the national parks and the coast are offered by countless tour operators.
Ship: There are no passenger ferries on Lake Victoria at the moment. Traditional Kenyan sailing ships, dhows, run along the coast from the Lamu Archipelago to the south of Mombasa. Mostly pure sailing ships are used, but motors are also used. For longer journeys with a dhow, you should definitely take sufficient water and food supplies with you.
Rail: The Kenya Railways Corporation operates passenger trains on the main Nairobi – Mombasa and Nairobi – Kisumu routes. The trains run at night, the journey takes about 13 hours. Trains in Kenya are slow compared to buses, but much more comfortable (in the first and second class) and safer (but also more expensive than buses). The colonial-style dining car service on the Nairobi-Mombasa route is great. For the first and second class, advance bookings (two days before the trip) are necessary. Booking offices are available in major cities in Kenya.
Cars: The road conditions in Kenya are very different. In much of the north, the road network is pretty bad, otherwise there is everything from new asphalt to murram (piste). Driving in Kenya can be difficult, especially in the rainy season. The connections in national parks mostly consist of eroded corrugated iron slopes. Petrol stations can be found outside of northern Kenya without any problems.
Buses and minibuses (Matatus) from private companies serve most routes between cities. Matatus (the main form of transportation for Kenyans) are often overcrowded – extremely overcrowded. The prices of buses and minibuses are similar. Buses are generally the safer form of transportation, and large bus companies in Kenya include Akamba, Coastline Safaris, Eldoret Express and KBS. The matatus in Kenya have a high accident rate, but the situation has improved since 2003 with the introduction of new safety regulations. Nevertheless, you should never sit next to the driver – this is the most dangerous place in the event of an accident. Taxi:There are good long-distance Peugeot taxis in Kenya that carry seven to nine people. You drive like the Matatus when all the seats are occupied. Tours and Safaris: Countless travel companies in Nairobi offer tours to the national parks. Before booking, you should find out exactly what is offered for the price. Further information is available from the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO), PO Box 48461, KE-00100 Nairobi (tel: (2) 71 33 48 or 71 33 86. E-mail: info@katokenya.org. Car:It is not a problem in Kenya to find rental cars, but the prices are usually very high, you should first of all compare the mileage allowance of the individual companies and, especially when visiting the national park, only rent perfect four-wheel drive cars. Documents: An international driver’s license is highly recommended, but is not required by law. Further information from the registration office in Nairobi. A carnet de passage makes it considerably easier to cross the border.
Traffic regulations: left-hand traffic.
City traffic: Bus: Nairobi is the only city in Kenya with a functioning bus network. Minibuses (Matatu) are everywhere, but they are often extremely overloaded. When traveling with taxis, the fare should always be agreed in advance.
Places and places of interest in Kenya
Mombasa, the second largest city in Kenya, is about 500 km from Nairobi. Mombasa is an important port city that benefits from its location on the only railway line inland. Wonderful beaches stretch south and north of the city. Worth seeing is the Old Town, the Islamic old town district with narrow streets. The Fort Jesus fortress was built by the Portuguese in 1593 and conquered by the Omani Arabs in 1698 after a 33-month siege. Today a museum is housed here. You can buy Kikoi and Khanga scarves on Biashara Street. The Tourist Information is located on Moi Avenue.
Nairobi is known as the “green city in the sun”. The modern Kenyatta conference center and the attractive cityscape have made Nairobi an important international trade and conference city. However, crime is higher in Nairobi than in most other African capitals. Tourists should avoid certain neighborhoods at night. Attractions in and around Nairobi include the Bomas of Kenya cultural centeroutside the city center, where dance performances take place; the Kenya National Museum with its ethnology section and the Snake Park opposite the museum, where you can see almost all types of East African snakes.
The Nairobi National Park is just 8 km outside the city. Here you can find pristine, undulating land, on which all East African wild animals of the plains graze except elephants. The Lake Naivasha is an hour from the capital. The view from here is unique: bird lovers get their money’s worth with the large number of birds and the diversity of species. Nanyuki is a small town on Mount Kenya and one of the starting points for mountain tours. Also interesting is the Nakuru Lake National Park, which is said to have been home to 50% of the pink flamingos around the world. Nearby is the Menengai Crater, an extinct volcano. 50 km north of Nakuru you can reach the Baringo lake. It is smaller than Lake Nakuru , but the bird life is equally impressive. On the island in the middle of the lake there is a tent site and the possibility to rent boats. Kisumu is an important trading center on Lake Victoria. From here you can visit Mount Elgon National Park. Malindi is 125 km north of Mombasa and the oldest holiday resort in Kenya. Along the coast are the Malindi and Watamu water protection areas, where you can discover the world of coral reefs, diving is very popular here. Near Watamu, in Gedi National Park, there is a ruined city from the 13th century.
The island of Lamu is located 200 km north of Malindi and attracts visitors to palm beaches, which are surrounded by picturesque dhows, and a fascinating island town. Motorized traffic is not permitted on the island. While strolling through the city you can see bazaars, mosques and ancient Arab houses with carved wooden doors. Trips on dhows are offered; you can go on day trips to the 600-year-old ruins on the nearby islands of Pate and Manda.
There are beautiful beaches off the coast south of Mombasa. The heavily frequented tourist regions include Likoni, Tiwi and Diani Beach.
The holiday resorts are located on the coast north of Mombasa Bamburi, Kenya, Watamu. There are also wonderful beaches here. Large hotel complexes were built in sections.
National parks: The abundance of flora and fauna has made the national parks of Kenya famous all over the world.
Approx. 10% of the country’s area is made up of national parks. All 42 African habitats are represented in the 42 parks: from deserts to mountain forests to marine protected areas in the Indian Ocean. The tourist facilities are very good. There are countless organized safaris, but you can also rent vehicles yourself. Balloon flights are very popular (and very expensive). Here you have the opportunity to observe the wild animals from a bird’s eye view; You should book early, especially in the Masai Mara National Reserve. All of the national parks below (except Masai Mara National Reserve and Samburu Wildlife Park) are managed by Kenya Wildlife Service.
The Aberdare – National Park comprises a wooded mountain chain lying in Mount Kenya and reach heights of up to 4000 m. There are elephants, rhinos, rare antelopes (Bongo and Dik-Dik antelopes), leopards, lions and several species of monkeys. Most visitors watch the game from the two raised lodges (Treetops and The Ark), which overlook an area illuminated at night. Numerous mountain plants grow in the fog of the higher slopes. There are many waterfalls, one of the most impressive is the 300 m high Guru waterfall.
The Amboseli – National Park is almost small with almost 400 square kilometers and is located on the border with Tanzania, 220 km from Nairobi. The wonderful view of the snow-covered Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, attracts many visitors. The park consists of savannas and swamps and is best known for its elephants. There are also around 400 different species of birds, amphibians and reptiles.
The Masai – Mara – National Reserve is located 390 km from Nairobi in the southwest of the country. The vast plains are crossed once a year by huge herds of wildebeest, zebras and antelopes that migrate north from the Serengeti of Tanzania. The animals are followed by lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas. Exhausted, they gather at a point on the Mara River where they are waiting to be crossed.
The Meru – National Park, 280 km from Nairobi, 870 square kilometers in size. Elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, kudus and oryx antelopes live here. It is also home to over 300 species of birds. This park is one of the more original nature reserves.
The equator runs through the 600 square miles Mount – Kenya – National Park, which consists of forest, rocks and snow fields on the mountain peaks. The park area starts at an altitude of 1800 m and rises to over 5000 m. On the ascent you should take enough time to avoid altitude sickness. It is advisable to start the trekking tour with a guide. On the mountain you can spend the night in mountain huts. You have to bring warm clothes, a sleeping bag and food.
Samburu – Wildlife Park: The desert-like park is located between Nairobi and Lake Turkana. Here you can see Oryx, Gerenuks and Grevys zebras. Ostriches and elephants are also easy to see. At Samburu Lodge and River Lodge in the National Park, visitors can watch leopards lured by bait.
The Tsavo – National Park is 21,000 square kilometers, the largest park in Kenya. Most of the country is open savannah and scrubland populated with elephants, buffalos, lions, antelopes, giraffes and zebras. At Mzima Springs in the west of the park you can see crocodiles and hippos.
At the Turkana- Lake in northern Kenya are several protected areas. In this lake, which stretches several hundred kilometers through the Chalbi Desert, there are some species of fish that only occur here. Travelers come here mainly for fishing. Several lodges for fishing tourists were built on the east bank. Despite the extremely hot weather conditions, many of Kenya’s large mammals can be found here. There are two large volcanic islands in the lake. The southern island’s water-filled crater is home to unusually large crocodiles.
Kenya history
Early history to independence
In the 1950s and 1960s, the anthropologist LSB Leakey discovered remains of hominids in northern Tanzania that lived about 2 million years ago. These perhaps first people on earth probably also lived in southern Kenya. In the highlands of Kenya, the existence of agriculture and herds of domesticated animals from 1000 BC. be detected. From the year 100 AD there was trade between the Kenyan coast and Arabia. Arabs settled on the Kenyan coast in the Middle Ages, where they soon formed several autonomous city-states (including Mombasa, Pate and Malindi). Farmers and shepherds migrated from 2000 BC. from southern Ethiopia and settled in Kenya. There is also evidence that between 500 BC and 500 AD. Bantus and Niloten came to Kenya from South Sudan.
The Portuguese first landed on the Kenyan coast in 1498, and by the end of the 16th century they controlled large parts of this coast, including Mombasa. The Portuguese were expelled from Mombasa in 1729, and two Arab dynasties established themselves as leading forces on the coast: the Busaidi dynasty, initially in Muscat (Oman) and from 1832 in Zanzibar and the Mazrui dynasty based in Mombasa. The Busaidi snatched the Mazrui Mombasa in 1837. From the early 19th century there was long-distance trade between Mombasa and Lake Victoria. European researchers (especially John Ludwig Krapf and Joseph Thomson) have
been mapping inland regions since the mid-19th century. The British and German governments agreed on their spheres of influence in East Africa in 1886, and most of today’s Kenya fell to the British. In 1887, a British association received concession rights for the Kenyan coast from the Sultan of Zanzibar. The association became the Imperial British East Africa Company in 1888, Serious financial difficulties soon led to the British government takeover. This founded the East Africa Protectorate in 1896. 1895 – 1901, a railway was built between Mombasa and Kisumu on Lake Victoria, which was to facilitate trade with the interior and Uganda.
In 1903, the first settlers of European descent established themselves as large farmers in the highlands, taking land from the Kikuyu, Maasai, and others. Indian traders moved at the same time from the coast to the interior. In 1920 the area was renamed and the administration changed, the inland became a colony of Kenya and the 16 km wide coastal strip became the protectorate of Kenya. From the 1920s to the 1940s, European settlers controlled the government and extensive arable land; Indians dominated retail and low levels of government, while Africans grew coffee and cotton on a small scale, and were subsistence farmers or urban workers (especially in Nairobi).
In the 1920s, Africans began to protest against their low status. The protests reached between 1952 and 1956 with the Mau Mau uprising peak. The uprising was led by Kikuyu and was partly a rebellion against British rule and partly an attempt to reintroduce traditional land rights and forms of government. The British declared a state of emergency and imprisoned many of the nationalist leaders, including Jomo Kenyatta. After the revolt, Great Britain increased its African representation in the Kenyan Legislative Council, in 1961 there was an African majority.
Modern Kenya
On December 12, 1963, Kenya (both colony and protectorate) became independent. In 1964 the country became a republic with Kenyatta as president. The first decade of independence was marked by disputes between the ethnic groups (especially between the Kikuyu and the Luo), by economic growth and diversification, and by the end of European dominance. Many Europeans (over 55,000 lived in Kenya in 1962) and Asians voluntarily left the country. Border disputes with Somalia led to sporadic fighting between 1963 and 1968. In 1969, Tom Mboya, a senior government official and possible successor to Kenya, was murdered. In the 1970s, more than 70% of the country was in a drought affected. Kenyatta’s struggle against his political opponents led to further unrest in the country. Relations with neighboring countries worsened over the course of the 1970s, and border disputes with Uganda. Tanzania closed its border with Kenya when Kenya hosted several of its supporters after the fall of Idi Amin in Uganda.
After Kenyatta’s death in 1978, Vice President Daniel arap Moi took ove rthe presidency. Moi promoted the Africanization of industry by restricting foreign ownership and expanding loans to African investors. Domestically, he rejected demands for democratization and suppressed the opposition. As economic conditions deteriorated, there were rumors of a coup. Moi suspected Air Force soldiers and had suspected parties arrested. During the 1980s, Moi stabilized his power and carried out regular government cleanups.
In 1988 riots broke out after the arrest of several opposition figures. In 1991 the government had to bow to pressure from home and abroad and legalized multi-party democracy with a constitutional amendment. In 1992, President Moi was reelected in Kenya’s first democratic election in 26 years. Opponents spoke of electoral fraud, and the government was subsequently accused of violating human rights. In the 1990s, tens of thousands of refugees fled to Northeast Kenya from fighting in Somalia. Moi was re-elected in 1997, but the ruling party lost several seats in parliament. In August 1998, a bomb exploded in front of the US embassy in Nairobi in a terrorist attack, killing around 250 people.
After the constitution no longer allowed Moi to run for another term, he appointed Uhuru Kenyatta, Son of Kenya’s first leader, to be a candidate for the ruling party Kenya African National Union (KANU). Mwai Kibaki, who competed against Moi in 1992 and 1997 and was already serving as his vice president, was the candidate for the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) and the most popular of the four opposition candidates. The December 2002 election, though not fake, was the most credible election since Kenya’s independence and led to Kibaki’s victory. He was elected President with 62% of the vote and NARC won the majority of seats in the National Assembly.
When a constitutional conference in January 2004 proposed an amendment to the constitution that would reduce the powers of the president and introduce prime ministers, the government withdrew from the conference. Kibaki, who supported such a proposal as an oppositionist and promised to introduce a new constitution within 100 days of his election, overthrew his coalition into disputes with this issue. In July, he ended the mandate of the constitutional conference and appointed a new constitutional committee. Also in July, he expanded his cabinet, added representatives of KANU and other opposition parties to the government, and downgraded coalition members who supported the reduction in presidential powers. In February 2005 the KANU split, two separate executive officers sought control of the party. The KANU factions fought for control of the party until 2006.
In August 2004, some Maasai people began to protest about land rights. This land was rented to the British for 99 years, which had now expired. The government questioned this claim, but the Maasai protests brought the injustice of many long-term leases (some longer than 900 years) that the British imposed on Kenyan indigenous peoples to the international consciousness. The question of very long-term leases was among those that the stalled constitution could have solved. In early 2005, Masai herders and Kikuyu farmers fought for scarce water resources.
Kibaki had promised corruption in Kenya to tackle, however, did not live up to this promise. The British ambassador accused Kenyan officials of “massive looting.” The head of anti-corruption resigned in February 2005. In March, the government released a report that British bank accounts with over $ 1 billion were found. This money has been removed from the country under the Moi government, and attempts have been made to gain access to the money.
Parliament approved a draft constitution in July 2005, which included the office of prime minister, but most executive powers remain with the president. Some cabinet members, such as former President Moi, supported rejection of the necessary referendum, while Kibaki campaigned for his approval. Voters rejected the draft in November 2005. Kibaki later dismissed the entire government and appointed a new cabinet dominated by allies in December, but some ministers and MPs refused to appoint her. In 2005 drought and crop failures in northeastern Kenya led to food shortages and deaths, and the government was accused of responding too slowly to the problem.
In February 2006, two corruption scandals led to the resignation or dismissal of four cabinet members, including the finance minister. Corruption allegations were also made against the Vice President, who denied the allegations. In March, elite Kenyan police units raided Kenya’s oldest newspaper and television station. Copies of the newspaper were made during the raid burned by the police and the television station had to shut down. The raid was apparently an attempt by the government to intimidate critical media. Opposition members and many cabinet members protested this move. In the same month, Kibaki finally reopened the parliament. Kenyan and Ethiopian soldiers met in April 2006 when the Ethiopians chased Oromo rebels across the Kenyan border. The fighting in Somalia in 2006 brought another 30,000 to the 130,000 refugees already in Kenya. A cabinet reshuffle in November 2006 largely reversed earlier ministerial resignations after the corruption scandals. Only the former finance minister was left without a post.
After the Elections in December 2007 declared President Kibaki, candidate for the National Unity Party, the winner. However, this has been questioned by domestic and foreign observers. In April 2008, a European Union report stated that it would be impossible to determine the winner of the election. Kibaki’s opponent, the candidate of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Raila Odinga, led the polls before the vote and accused Kibaki of fraud after the election. The election result led to unrest and violence in many parts of Kenya. Part of the violence was ethnic, Luos (the Odinga people) attacked Kikiyus (Kibaki’s people). More than a thousand Kenyans died and hundreds of thousands were driven out of their homes. In February 2008, after negotiations brokered by Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary General, the two sides agreed to split government power. Odinga became prime minister. After further negotiations in early April and protests by Odinga’s supporters, a government was formed, and Odinga and the government were sworn in mid-April 2008.
Nairobi
The city of Nairobi, one of the highest capitals in Africa, is located on the Athi River. By African standards, this city has a rather pleasant climate in which European tourists feel very comfortable.
At a pleasant 16.8 to 20.5 degrees Celsius, the weather is tolerable despite the tropical climate. In 1896, today’s city of Nairobi emerged from a railway warehouse with a supply depot. The construction of a railway line connecting the coast and Uganda began in Mombasa in 1895. The first city council was formed in 1901, although at that time the city still had the charm of a huge tent camp. To the capital of the later colony of Kenya(until 1920) became Nairobi in 1907 and was growing rapidly at that time.
Since Nairobi is a very international city, some humanitarian and environmental organizations are also based here. These would be the United Nations, the UN, the FAO or the UNEP.
Attractions Nairobi
The City Hall is the town hall of Nairobi and is located at City Square. At the end of the large square there is a statue of the former President Jomo Kenyata. The ICEA building has a good view of the entire African city.
The ruling party is headquartered in the city’s Kenyatta International Conference Center, built in 1974. At 105 meters high, it is the only large conference house in Kenya. The Lornho House looks like a huge mirror to visitors to the city of Nairobi. This building is a skyscraper completely covered with mirror glass. Although the construction of the Parliament Building leaves no special impression when viewed, it has some art treasures inside. The very special highlight of the building is its garden. In this is the mausoleum of Jomo Kenyatta, which is guarded by an honor guard.
Museums
The Bomas of Kenya is the Nairobi Folklore Center, which is home to many tiny African villages. Since most of them are uninhabited, there is a lively trade in souvenirs and everyday objects. The traditional dances of the local population are particularly worth seeing.
The Gallery Watatu is a sales gallery in which works by over thirty African artists are exhibited. One of the most impressive sights in Nairobi is the National Museum of Kenya. In addition to the many geological exhibits and stuffed animals, the famous favorite elephant of former President Kenyatta Ahmed is in the museum.
Other sections of the museum display prehistoric exhibits and modern Kenyan art.
In 1906, the Bank of India was built in the classicist style. Today this building houses a private collection of the former Vice President Joseph Murambi. This includes masks, drums, carpets and paintings.
The Kenyan artist Elimo Njaus founded the Atelier Payapaa Arts Center, where talented painters and sculptors have the opportunity to work on their works of art.
In the Railway Museum, visitors get a grand insight into the history of the Uganda Railway. The creation of the railway line is remembered with the help of many impressive photos and memorabilia.
Opera houses and theaters
In Nairobi theaters amateurs show productions of world famous plays from all over the world. The theaters you should visit are the Braeburn Theater on Litanga Road, the Kenya National Theater on Harry Thuku Road and the Phoenix Players on Parliament Road.
Churches, temples and mosques
The Holy Family Cathedral is located in the center of Nairobibetween Kuanda Street and City Hall Way. The green and white Moorish style Jaima Mosque is one of the largest Kenyan mosques.
As there are many Indians living in Nairobi in the past and today, you will also find a Sikh temple in the city. It is located between Accra Road and Luthulie Avenue. The only synagogue in the African city of Nairobi is located in the university district, right on University Way.
Green spaces
The City Park opened in 1904is an oasis that covers 120 hectares and is the first public park in Nairobi. You can pass the time in this park in many different ways. There is a bandstand, a labyrinth and the Basca wen Memorial Orchid Collection. Many office workers use the breaks to enjoy their snack breaks on the wonderful green spaces in the Jewanyee Garden. There is a small park near the National Museum, which is home to crocodiles, East African snakes and turtles. Every weekend almost all of Nairobi meets in Uhuru Park, on whose small lake you can take relaxed boat trips.
The Nyayo Monument, built in honor of President Moi in 1988, is in Central Park. From the hill behind the monument you get an impressive view of the skyline of the city of Nairobi.
Those who enjoy shopping will love Nairobi as the city has a variety of markets to offer its visitors.
Mombasa
Kenya’s second largest city is Mombasa. The city is located on Mombasa Island directly on the Indian Ocean. Not only is it the second largest city, it is also East Africa’s most important port city. Mombasa was founded by the Arabs in the eleventh century. Subsequently, Mombasa experienced a rapid development due to the slave and ivory trade, which made the city one of the most important trade centers in East Africa. The first European to come to Mombasa was the world traveler Vasco da Cama. At the beginning of the 16th century, the Portuguese settled in Mombasa and were not expelled from Mombasa by the Arabs from Oman until 1698.
After the Arabs came to power, to 1741 Mombasa declared under the dynasty of Maznie for independently. From 1856 Mombasa belonged to the Sultanate of Zanzibar. Kenya finally achieved independence in 1963.
A landmark of Mombasa are the huge tusks that can be seen from afar. The tusks are set up in the form of an archway that you have to cross when entering the city. The Nyali Bridge is an important link to the mainland, as well as between the beautiful oriental city and the north coast.
The two ports of Mombasa are a wonderful reflection of modernity and tradition. The smaller, romantic port is located on the east side of Mombasa, with the economically more important and larger one at Kilindini in the west of the city.
Fort Jesus is a grandiose building from the 16th century. It was designed and built by an Italian master builder. For this reason, many style elements of Italian architecture can be found on the fort. In times of war, the fort also served as a prison. Despite several war conflicts, the fort of Jesus survived unscathed to this day. In 1960 the beautiful, impressive structure was elevated to a national structure. Since then it has been under special protection from the government and offers its visitors a deeper look into the turbulent history of Mombasa.
There is always a very lively and multilingual hustle and bustle in the city’s colorful wholesale markets, which smell of different spices in Africa.
One of the legacies of the former Arab occupation is a large number of mosques, which are particularly charming due to their wonderful oriental colors and ornaments.
But also as a nature lover you get your money’s worth. The magical Arabuko Sokooke National Park is about 110 km north of Mombasa. It mainly consists of dry coastal landscapes. The adjacent mangrove flood area is home to more than 250 different butterfly species, exotic bird species and forty different mammal species.
A trip to Kilimanjaro is a must. Especially during the dry season you can get to know the local fauna better. When visiting the mountain, you can observe lions, elephants, buffalos, rhinos and leopards during this time. The specialty of the park are the five different types of landscape. During the tour of the national park you will find an open savannah, a blooming acacia forest, a rocky thorn landscape, swamps and a marsh landscape.
From the wonderful Amboseli National Park you have an overwhelming view of the Kilimanjaro. The diverse wildlife of the park includes cheetahs, gerenuk, wildebeest, zebras, hyenas, leopards, bat-eared dogs, Maasai giraffes, wild buffalos and jackals.