Introducing KENYA  

HIGHLIGHTS
Kenya boasts one of the most diversified and varied landscapes in Africa and is where the concept of 'safaris' grew roots; earning it the reputation as a 'leader' in the world of safaris. Explorers and adventurers the likes of Denis Finch-Hatton, Beryl Markham and Karen Blixen romanticised and paved the way for modern time travellers, mesmerised by the lure and mystery of East Africa. In the Northern Frontier Dr. Louis. Leaky's archaeological finds revolutionised the modern world's theory on the origins of Mankind,' whilst Kenya's spectacular wildebeest migration, in the Maasai Mara, attracts thousands of tourists every year.

HISTORY
The struggle for freedom and the 'Mau Mau revolutionary movement' led to Kenya's independence in 1963. Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence until his death on 22 August 1978, when President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982 when the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) made itself the sole legal party in Kenya. MOI acceded to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in late 1991. The ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud, but are viewed as having generally reflected the will of the Kenyan people.

President MOI stepped down in December of 2002 following fair and peaceful elections. The Hon. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic united opposition group, the 'National Rainbow Coalition', defeated KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform.

Whilst an unsuccessful coup attempt in 1982 and isolated tribal conflicts flooded the media during 1997/98, Kenya has illustrated a remarkably stable front. Most neighboring countries have suffered a succession of coups, counter coups, holocausts and power-crazed dictators since independence.

CLIMATE
Covering approximately 583,000 square kilometers, Kenya, referred to as 'The Heart of Africa' sits astride the equator, its terrain ranging from snow-capped peaks to tropical rain forests, the great lakes of the Rift Valley, deserts, and vast savannah plains supporting some of the largest concentrations of game in Africa. In addition it boasts superb beaches & marine parks along its 480-kilometer stretch of prime coastline. The busy port of Mombasa, a major tourist, as well as industrial and commercial centre, complements Kenya's capital of Nairobi, whilst the old town of Lamu Island remains a steadfast favourite with visitors. Major geographical features include the spectacular escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, and snow-capped Mount Kenya. The climate is divided between the 'Long Rains' from March to May and 'Short Rains' beginning October to early December. Temperatures range from as low as 14ºC to high 30's/ low 40's.