Kenya - Land of Contrasts

Kenya has an unrivaled unique combination of interests for any traveler. It is 582,644 sq. km. astride the equator and unfolds into a diverse topography with a variety of flora, fauna, and cultures. From the warm blue waters of the Indian Ocean with miles of sandy white palm-lined beaches and coral reefs it extends to the world's second largest freshwater body, Lake Victoria, noted for its unequaled cichlid diversity. In between is snow capped Mt. Kenya, the Great Rift Valley, and shimmering thorn tree dotted vast savannah teeming with wildlife. The central highland with lush tropical forests also features growth of the world's riches coffee beans, tea, pineapples, and sugar plantations.

Kenyan cultures consist of 46 major languages, but English and Kiswahili are known by most all Kenyans. The Kenya coastline is known for its Arabic traditions and trade routes. Inland, one finds diversity from the Nairobi metropolis to the rich traditions of the nomadic northern peoples. And, one cannot ignore Kenya's famous contributions to anthropology along Lake Turkana (the original headwaters of the Nile River) or its international runners.