General: Kenya Travel, Kenya Safaris & Tours

Kenya Travel

General

Kenya’s history goes back to 2000 BC when nomadic tribes arrived from Ethiopia. European settlement started with the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century. By the 16th century, most of the indigenous Swahili trading towns, including Mombassa, had been either sacked or occupied by the Portuguese - marking the end of the Arab monopoly of Indian Ocean trade. After a long period of harsh colonial rule, the Arabs won control of the coast back in 1720.

Until the mid-19th century other European countries did not venture into Kenya due to constant quarrels among the Arab governors, which caused a decline in trade and prosperity.

The Rift Valley and the Aberdare highlands had been the heartland of the proud warrior tribe, the Maasai. By the late 19th century, years of civil war between the Maasai's two opposing factions had weakened the tribe. Disease and famine had also taken their toll. This opened the way for the English to negotiate a treaty with the Maasai leaders and to start work on the Mombassa-Uganda railway - which was to go straight through the Maasai grazing lands. As white settlers demanded more fertile land, the Maasai were herded into smaller reserves.

After a very difficult start, the British succeeded in making their colony viable and more European settlers soon arrived and started coffee plantations. By 1950 the white population had grown to approx. 80,000. As opposition to colonial rule grew, the Kenya African Union (KAU) and their movements including the Mau Mau (Kikuyu) made their voices heard as well. The subsequent Mau Mau Rebellion ended in 1956 with the defeat of the Mau Mau. This rebellion saw over 13,500 Africans - Mau Mau guerrillas, civilians and troops – and just over 100 Europeans being killed.

The leader of the Kikuyu political association, Johnstone Kamau (= Jomo Kenyatta) spent years in jail and under house arrest but was freed in 1961 and became leader of the reincarnated KAU, the Kenya African National Union (KANU). He guided in independence on 12 December 1963, and became Kenya’s first independent president. Under his presidency the country developed into one of Africa's most stable and thriving nations. After Kenyatta's death in 1978, Daniel Arap Moi, a member of the Tugen tribe, became president.

Moi's rule was characterized by rifts and repression and from hereon Kenya’s prosperity went downhill. Forces loyal to Moi put down a coup attempt by the Kenyan Air Force in 1982.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and major aid donors suspended aid and demanded that repression cease and Moi's political iron grip ease.

Due to problems within the opposition party, Moi won the 1993 election with just one-third of the total vote.

In 1995, a new party was launched in an attempt to unite the splintered opposition. The party was Safina, founded by Richard Leakey, and is slowly making some headway.

Elections were held in Kenya at the end of 1997. Notwithstanding widespread allegations of intimidation of opposition candidates, Moi once again won with a little over 40% of the vote.

Besides political problems, Kenya is struggling with various other troubles as well. Amongst those are major floods, cholera and malaria epidemics and ethnic fighting.

In August 1998, terrorists bombed the US embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, killing over 250 people and injuring more than 5000.

The summer of 1999 marked the beginning of a long period of drought.

Travel to Kenya Region
Rift Valley

Tours covering Kenya - Show all safaris & tours covering Kenya »»
	Matchless Mara From per person per night	Blessed with an astounding year round concentration of animals and the climax of the phenomenal Great Migration, Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve provides a wildlife experience unsurpassed in the world. Covering an area of 1 510 km² in southwestern Kenya, the Masai Mara is a land of breathtaking vistas, abundant wildlife and endless plains dotted with shukka-draped Maasai. Set on the fringe of a riverine forest overlooking the vast, game-filled plains of the Mara, Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp offers world-class accommodation in the African bush. *Tour Duration:* 6 days

	Best of Kenya Special Offer (NAI-SPE) From $1117 per person per night	A truly magnificent 7-day adventure that offers excellent game viewing, awe-inspiring sights and stays at luxury camps and hotels. This is an unforgettable trip through the splendour of Kenya. *Tour Duration:* 7 days

	21 Day Southern Discoverer (South) From $1076 per person per night	This is definitely an overland expedition geared towards fun lovers! This trip starts in Nairobi and travels south through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and finishes in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. *Tour Duration:* 21 days

	Show all safaris & tours covering Kenya »»

Kenya - Tourist Information
Statistics Statistics Population: 34.7 million Area: 582 650 sq. kms. GDP per capita: US$ 1 100 Languages: English, Kiswahili		General Kenya’s history goes back to 2000 BC when nomadic tribes arrived from Ethiopia. European settlement started with the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century. By the 16th century, most of the... More »»

Map of Kenya

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KENYA

Kenya Travel

General

Tours covering Kenya

Kenya - Tourist Information

Map of Kenya