Kenya

The currency commonly used in Kenya is a Kenyan Shilling that comprises of 100 cents and comes in various denominations. Since the exchange rate in respect to a US dollar and a British Pound is relatively low, the Ksh doesn’t cost much. One can get the currency converted at the international airports itself. Besides that, there are a number of banks in Kenya that make the exchange right away with minimal formalities. One can even use their foreign credit and debit cards if they do not want to carry currency notes.

Kenya is full of savannah's, lakes, national parks, forests, and mountains. Being so diverse, there are some major tourist attractions in Kenya that one cannot miss out on. These include:

• Nairobi National Park
• Mount Kenya
• Safari on the Massai Mara Reserve
• Tsavo East and West National Park
• Mombasa Island
• Mombasa Marine Park
• Amboseli National Park
• Malindi

Since Kenya has so much to offer, these are some of the activities that one can enjoy while on their vacation:

• Wildlife Safari- One can witness the great Wildlife that exists here and can also see the migratory birds. Taking a safari through the various National Parks is a must in Kenya.
• Relax on the coast- One can sit on the shores of the Indian Ocean and relax by sunbathing, jet skiing, walking on the white sand and so on.
• Cultural travel in Lamu- One can visit the island of Lamu and witness the tribals. They can dance and eat with them to know more about their culture.
• Trekking on Mount Kenya- It has a challenging climb and some breathtaking views that can make your trip thoroughly adventurous.
• River Rafting- One can go River Rafting on the Tana River which has a strong current making the rafting a popular activity here.

Kenya has a very different kind of food. It is not loaded with flavors or spices but is still delicious and lip-smacking. Some of the most famous local food found here includes:

• Irio – Made up of mashed potatoes and green peas, this simple dish has some bold flavors which are served with meat stew and represents the culture present here. This dish can be found anywhere on the streets of Kenya.
• Matoke – it is a native dish of Africa which is made up of plantain bananas sauteed with garlic, onions, tomatoes, and meat. It is generally eaten with Ugali, a rice dish found here.
• Pilau – This is a rice dish which is similar to the Chinese fried rice but has different flavors. It is eaten along with some salad and has a great smell. Pilau and biryani are two such dishes that is found everywhere and is like the staple food of Kenya.
• Nyama Choma – This dish includes roasted meat with a lot of flavors. Your mouth won't stop watering when you see the dish or even smell it. The Kenyatta Market Nyama Choma is the best in Kenya.

In order to get around Kenya, one can use a rental car, jeep or the famous matatu. A matatu is like a minibus that travels short distances with a small number of people. It is operated privately and might be a bit risky but is very convenient. If one wants to go from one city to the other, they can use the plane or the bus network. Both the plane and the bus are easily accessible and do not cost much.

Some of the vaccinations are a must and highly recommended by the WHO committee for all those traveling to Kenya. These include:

• Typhoid
• Cholera
• Hepatitis A and B
• Rabies
• Yellow Fever
• Influenza
• Meningitis

Kenya’s official language is Swahili and English. Besides these two every local group has their own dialect but they can understand Swahili fluently. Some of the commonly used greetings in Swahili are:

• Hello – Jambo
• Thank You – Asante
• Good Morning - Habari ya asubuhi
• Good Night - Usiku mwema
• How much money? - Shilingi ngapi?
• Please – Tafadhali
• How far is – Umbali ni

Kenya has lots of shopping malls and local marketplaces to shop from. Here is a list of such places and what they are famous for:

• Maasai Market – It is famous for masks, African jewelry, and handicrafts.
• Nairobi City Market – It is one f the local markets that are famous for any type of trinket. One can visit this market to get to know the culture present here.
• Kitengela Glass Studios – It is famous for sculptures, architectural objects, mosaic pathways and recycled materials.
• Kazuri Beads – It is famous for pottery, finished jewelry and tableware which reflect the African culture.
• The Village Market – It is famous for tribal handicrafts and the perfect place to find antiques and African jewelry.

• The Hub Karen (Nairobi) – It’s a premium shopping plaza and is famous for branded clothes.

• The West End Shopping Mall, Kisumu – It is one of the modern shopping centers with fast food restaurants.

The cost of the safari varies according to the duration of the safari. A one-day safari in the National park costs about $250 per person and costs less if the tickets are booked for larger groups. The longer safaris say about 5-day long cost around $1200- $500 per person and includes an array of activities like night drive, bush walk and so on. In Indian currency, the wildlife safari costs about Rs. 10,000 – Rs. 50,000 depending on the duration.

Kenya has some of the most picturesque and soothing camping and hiking locations with breathtaking views. Some famous locations include:

• Rapids Camp, Sagana – located by the river, it has a peaceful aura and is completely safe. One can even enjoy a few water sports at this camping site.
• El Karama – this is an Eco-camp site in the Laikipia district of Kenya. It has beautiful cottages and is perfect for those who don’t like sleeping in tents.
• Kongoni Camp – this site has an awe-inspiring view of the famous Mount Kenya. Most people go up there just to witness the magnificent mountain during sunrise.
• Camp Carnelley's – located amidst the forests present in Naivasha, this site is perfect for the adventure junkies who want a bonfire and 'foresty' atmosphere.
• Castle Forest – this hiking trail along the slopes of Mount Kenya are challenging yet the most beautiful one present in Kenya.
• Chyulu Hills – with some stunning landscape, this trail is about hundred years old and leads to the Kisula Caves that is a must-see for hikers.

Kenya is famous for its rich history and is considered to be a magical land by many archaeologists as it houses some of the world-famous archaeological sites. This include:

• Lamu Archipelago
• Gedi Ruins, Malindi
• Koobi Fora Ridge
• Kariandusi Prehistoric Site
• Jumba La Mtwana
• Turkana Basin

The wildebeest migration is a spectacle to watch as thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles migrate to East Africa. The migration can be seen from mid-July until end of September in Kenya.

Gorilla trekking is an amazing experience where one gets the opportunity to observe this animal from a very close range. Gorillas stay in the forest throughout the year, so one can go at any time of the year for gorilla trekking. The month-wise guide of when to carry out the trek is as follows:

• January to February- These months are generally dry, therefore the conditions become suitable for gorilla trekking.
• March to May- These months account for the rainy season of the country, therefore the companies do not conduct gorilla treks during these months as it becomes highly dangerous.
• June to October- It is advisable that one should go for gorilla trek during these months as one can also enjoy the beauty of wildebeest migration as well at this time of the year. The conditions during these months are the best for gorilla trekking and trekking on mountains.
• November to December- The weather becomes wet during these months and gorilla treks are therefore not advisable to be conducted during this time.

Road trips are the best way to enjoy a trip in its true sense. You can see the beauty of nature and spend some quality time with your friends and family. Few of the best routes for road trips in Kenya are:

•  iKWETA Safari Camp – Meru National Park
• Lake Naivasha Country Club – Naivasha

• Voyager Ziwani 

• Mara Intrepids – Masai Mara
• Ashnil Samburu Camp – Samburu
• Sweetwaters Tented Camp – Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Kenya is known to have a multifarious wildlife that photographers from all over the world want to capture. Few places here apt for wildlife photography are:

• Masai Mara
• Samburu
• Amboseli
• Nairobi
• Mount Kenya in Laikipia

Thrillophilia offers some of the best travel advice that should be kept in mind while visiting Kenya. These include:

• Interact with the local people by greeting them.
• Always carry an ID proof while traveling in Kenya.
• Never display your jewelry or cash in public.
• While eating the local food check the quality.
• Do not travel alone after sunset as it might not be safe.
• Dress according to the culture present in the area to avoid harassment.