161 Kenya Facts That Will Prepare You For Your Next Geography Test

Kenya is a serene country with Mother Nature displaying her splendor in all forms.

There is much more to Kenya than the savannas. The people and its rich culture along with the beaches are amazing.

There are desserts and snow-clad mountains, forests, and metropolitan cities, freshwater lakes, and sea beaches. The culture is beautifully woven in the food, clothes, and jewelry - in every little detail.

There are so many places to visit not just the savanna. The Lake Victoria of the Great Rift Valley is one of the many other beautiful sights to see.

These are best seen from above by a balloon ride. There is so much to know about this wondrous country, so keep reading to discover facts you didn't know before.

If you enjoy this article, why not also read about Kenya's natural resources or refugees camps in Kenya here at Kidadl?

Facts About Kenya's Tourism Industry

Kenya is situated in East Africa. Kenya is a mesmerizing combination of the extremities that amalgamate beautifully.

The tourism industry mainly flourishes with the services related to wildlife. Such as a safari in Savana, trekking on Mount Kenya, balloon sailing in the skies of Masai Mara, snorkeling in the Indian Ocean part of Malindi, and much more.

Nairobi: The city gets its name from a Maasai word. This word means 'cool waters'. Years ago a stream of cool water flowed through this area.

Nairobi is known for its busy city life. There are many historic monuments to visit. Nairobi National Park is the one and only national park in the whole world that is present next to the borders of a capital city.

Mombasa: It is the second-largest city you can visit in Kenya. The population is 1.2 million people and this is mainly a coastal city. It has the biggest seaport in the country. Fort Jesus is a 16th-century monument known as a World Heritage site.

The main landmark of the city is the Mombasa Tusks. They are situated on Moi Avenue. They were built in 1952, in remembrance of a visit by Queen Elizabeth II. The aluminum tusks mark the beginning of the commercial city center.

Lamu: Is one of the first six UNESCO-recognized world heritage sites in African countries. They offer an informative cultural trip where you can explore Kenya's history and see Kenyan culture.

You can clearly witness the influence of the Arab traders along with the Portuguese explorers. You can see this upon visiting the island's fort along with the other colonial buildings.

Watamu: A small town on the south side of Malinda. It is famous for its marine national park. you can see clear turquoise-colored water, and astonishing beaches. The coral reef is very close to the shore which makes snorkeling easy. It is an egg-laying site especially for the Critically Endangered green sea turtles.

There are more than 50 national parks in Kenya. There are initiatives to safeguard native wildlife from hunters and poachers. Maasai Mara National Park is situated in the western region. It is popular for safaris. FromAmboseli National Park you can get a spectacular view of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the highest peak in Africa, in Tanzania.

Gede Ruins: This is an archeological site where one can see the remains of old Swahili town. It can be dated back to the 12th century. The Gede ruins are near Watamu in the southern part of Kenya.

In northern Kenya people can visit Jumba La Mtwana ruins, Takwa ruins and Mnarani ruins. They offer a close look at the life of ancient Kenyan people. You get to know more about the various ethnic groups who make up the country.

Kenya's Wildlife Facts

There is an abundance of wildlife in Kenya. There are numerous species of birds and mammals. 

On a safari, people can see many animals together. They are lions, zebras, giraffes, elephants, antelopes, and monkeys. The Big Five animals are rhinoceros, buffalo, lion, leopard, and elephant. These Big Five can be seen countrywide almost in all the national parks.

The enormous wildebeest migration can be witnessed if you visit during July and August. This event happens every year - large wildebeest herds move in large numbers to cross the Mara River. From there they move towards the Maasai Mara Nationalpark.

In the coastal region, you can enjoy watching dolphins. The coastal areas close to Mombasa and Malindi are the best spots to witness various dolphin species having fun and frolic in the Indian Ocean. For sea turtles, you must go to Watamu.

People visit Kenya every year to experience its vast savanna and the wildlife in its natural habitat. The animals found commonly are elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, lions, cheetahs rhinos majorly. The Kenyan government designated more than 50 national reserves and national parks for the protection of these animals.

The tribes staying in these areas have a different African language than most Kenyans. The ethnic groups make an effort to maintain the originality of these tribes.

The languages spoken in Kenya are more than 68. So it is very difficult to understand the Maasai people if you are on your first trip. The official language is Kiswahili, while English is used for all written work.

Geographical Facts About Kenya

Kenya's ecosystems comprise deserts, mountains, swamps, and forests.

There are different unique plants and animals belonging to particular conditions of the area. Kenya's highland forests are well known to have such animals that cannot be found anywhere else in the whole world.

Kenya lies on the Equator. Kenya is in East Africa and bordered by the Indian Ocean. The neighboring countries of Kenya are Tanzania, South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Ethiopia shares the longest border.

When you compare size, it is smaller than the state of Texas in the USA. There are direct flights from most countries in the world. Most flights come to Nairobi.

Kenya's terrain begins with a low coastal plain from the shores of the Indian Ocean and advances to mountains and plateaus as you go towards the land. Most Kenyans population prefer to live in the highlands in places like Nairobi, which is at an altitude of 5,500 ft (1,700 m).

Lake Victoria plays a major role in connecting Kenya with other countries.

In the west of Nairobi, there is an interesting fall in the land. It descends to become the Great Rift Valley.

This is a 4,000 mi (6,400 km) long tear in the Earth's crust. The whole view will transport you from this world to another alien-like land. It is mesmerizing to see the jade green color of the water of Lake Turkana that sits in the midst of this valley, in the center of the deserts situated in northern Kenya.

Kenya experiences a tropical climate in the coastal region, while an arid climate is experienced in the highlands. When you look at the interiors of the country, the Great Rift Valley, you will also see a fertile high plateau, used for growing the major crops in the western region of Kenya.

It is interesting to note that 50% of the country is being used for agricultural purposes by many Kenyans.

The Great Rift Valley runs through Kenya, from north to south. Lake Turkana is situated north of the Great Rift Valley.

The population of Kenya is about 54 million people. Around five million stays in Nairobi itself. The major population is comprised of Christians followed by Muslims. Their current president is Uhuru Kenyatta.

Historical Facts About Kenya

Bantu tribes are believed to be the oldest on the land of Kenya. They were known to be there from 500 BC.

Kenya was a colony under the rule of the United Kingdom. They were ruled from 1920 to 1963 by the Britishers.

After becoming independent it has been declared a republic and called the Republic of Kenya. The rule lies with a president assisted by a national assembly known as the Bunge. Law and order are taken care of by the judiciary.

It is believed that the European explorers and Arab traders came and settled. They mainly settled in the coastal cities near Mombasa. Mombasa is believed to be the oldest city in Kenya.

Lake Victoria plays a major role in the development of Kenya. People from all over the world and Africa travel and trade by this route. This is the origin of its diverse culture. Which is still thriving with various ethnic groups and African languages.

According to scientists, northern Kenya and Tanzania could have been the birthplace of the human race. The fossil bones of the earliest known human ancestors had been discovered in Turkana Basin, in Kenya.

It cannot be denied that slavery has been a huge part of history for many Kenyans and Africa. In the 1600s and 1700s, Kenyans were kidnapped in large numbers to be taken as slaves.

They were taken as slaves by the Arabs, Americans, and Europeans. There they were ill-treated and kept in inhuman conditions. It was after the late 1900s that the Kenyans were released by the government of other countries abolishing slavery forever.

The development of tourism for exploration of the country and savannas have brought money to the Kenyans. The metro cities are flourishing with life and technology, slowly but steadily taking the whole nation ahead. While the ethnic groups still nurture the traditions and lifestyle of the ancient people of Kenya, keeping the culture alive.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 161 Kenya facts, then why not take a look at Madagascar rainforest facts or Madagascar culture facts?