Capital: Nairobi

Time: GMT + 3 hours 

Population: 31.1 million

Area: 582,650km²

Currency:  Kenyan shilling

Climate:  A mostly tropical climate along the coast that becomes more temperate inland. The equator runs through Kenya, which means that it is quite warm all-year-round with temperatures ranging between 25ºC and 40ºC. Summer is usually between September and March while winter is between June and August. The rainy season is between April and June and is known as the period of the “long rains”  

People: Over 70 tribes, including  Kikuyu 22% of the population, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1%

Official language: English and Kiswahili

Geography: Kenya has a number of interesting regions, with a mountainous area and plateau that rises from the coast and covers most of the country to the Eastern Rift Valley in the west.  The country also boasts coastlines on both the Indian Ocean and Lake Victoria.

Neighbouring countries: Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

When to go:  Between January and February the weather is hot, but it is dry, and considered more pleasant. This is also the best time for bird-watching. Between June and September, the weather is dry and generally this is also a good time to visit – especially as it is the best time for viewing the 'Great Migration' of millions of wildebeest, antelope and zebra – followed by prides of predators – across the Masai Mara.

Economy: Kenya is a major port for trade and industry in East Africa, but its economy has been sluggish over recent years. Most of the labour force is engaged in agriculture of products like coffee, tea, corn, wheat etc. which is exported to the United Kingdom,  Germany, Tanzania and other countries in Africa. A well-developed tourism infrastructure is increasingly responsible for much of the country's revenue. Due to drought, a general recession, and widespread fraud and corruption, the Kenyan economy has been relatively stagnant.

What to pack: If you are going on safari, try to keep your baggage to 12-15kg, preferably in a soft bag, as space is limited on safari transport.  Bring comfortable, light-weight clothes that you can easily peel off and stow away.

• Shorts, T-shirts, sun dresses
• Swimming costumes
• Good comfortable walking shoes
• Casual lightweight cotton, khaki or neutral coloured clothes for safaris
• Fleece or sweater and a warm jacket for game drives or cool evenings
• Wide brimmed hat
• Lots of sun tan lotion, sunblock and lip cream – don’t underestimate the hot African sun, you can get burnt even on overcast days
• Insect repellent creams
• Binoculars, camera (different kinds of film are widely available )
• Sunglasses