============================== KENYA ============================== Located in east Africa, Kenya straddles the Equator and extends from Lake Victoria in the west to the Indian Ocean in the east. Highlands run north to south through central Kenya and are divided by the steep-sided Great Rift Valley. The coastal lowlands have a hot, humid climate, but in the highlands it is cooler and rainfall heavier. In the east it is very arid. The fertile southwestern region accounts for almost all its economic production. The main crops include wheat, maize, tea, coffee, sisal, sugar cane and cotton. Tourism is an important source of foreign revenue. Area (Sq. Km.): 582,644 Population: 25,081,000 Capital: Nairobi Language: Swahili Religion: Protestant 38% Roman Catholic 26% Moslem 6% Government Type: Republic Currency: Kenya shilling High Commission: 45 Portland Place, London, W1N 3AG. 0171-636-2371 Kenya shares borders with Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Somialia and Tanzania. To the east lies the very beautiful Indian Ocean. The country is one of great contrasts and arid desert areas contrast strongly with the highlands and the coast. Coastal areas are tropical but tempered by monsoon winds and the best time to visit is January to June as it can be cooler in July and August. The coastal areas are hot and dry but it gets quite wet in the highlands and light rainwear is recommended if travelling between March and June and October to December. The tourist industry has developed well and rapidly with beach and safari holidays being the two most obvious and most popular. Various two or multi-centre variations of these are possible. The standard of accommodation can be quite high. Game reserves for safari: Samburu Game Park Tsavo National Masai Mara Reserve Meru National Park Mount Kenya National Amboseli National It is advisable whilst on these safaris not to wander into the reserves unescorted. Recent problems with poachers and bandits seem to have abated, but a note of caution is wise. Kenya is featured in many UK brochures and charter and schedule flights operate out of Manchester and London. UK Tour operators: Kuoni Thomsons Cosmos Distant Dreams Hayes and Jarvis Airtours Kenya Language: Swahili is the national language but English is the official language. Time: GMT+3 Electricity: 220/240v Currency: Kenya shilling = 100 cents Credit cards: Widely accepted Health: Vaccinations against Yellow fever, Cholera, Typhoid, Polio and Malaria should be checked with your doctor. Food and drink: Bottled water is advised - certainly outside main cities. In the lowlands, malaria is a problem throughout the year. National airline: Kenya Airways Approx flying time from London is 8 hours. «»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«» Foreign Office Advice: Except as indicated below, game reserves and main tourist areas at the coast are generally safe. Visitors should avoid North Eastern Province, the Tana River district of Coast Province and Isiolo and Marsabit districts of Eastern Province, apart from the Samburu Game Reserve and, when accompanied by tour operators, the Shaba Game Reserve. Even when escorted, traffic should avoid the Malindi- Garsen-Lamu road for fear of attack. Visitors should exercise care. Muggings can take place at anytime. Don't accept food and drink from strangers. Avoid travelling after dark and do not go about urban areas or coastal towns, on foot at night. Avoid isolated places and exercise extra caution when on beaches. Armed car-hijackings are prevalent in the Nairobi area. For more information ring: Foreign Office Travel Unit 0171-270-4129