Kenya, south of Ethiopia in the heart of the African continent, is the site of the most popular wildlife reserves and safari lodges in Sub-Saharan Africa. The capital, Nairobi, has the busiest airport in the region. Kenya has one of the highest population growth rates in the world, It is also widely considered to be one of the three best countries in Sub-Saharan Africa for wildlife observation and photography.

Human ancestors lived near Lake Turkana in the northern Rift Valley 2.5 million years ago. At various times, Kenya was an important trading center for Roman, Muslim, and Portuguese traders. In 1878, the British East Africa Company obtained a 50-year lease for most of present-day Kenya. The British opened a railroad from Lake Victoria to the chief port, Mombasa. After 1900, large numbers of British settlers began to arrive. The Mau Mau people rebelled in 1957, prompting most of the European population to leave the country. Kenya became independent in 1963. Both English and Swahili are the official languages, but a diversity of African dialects are spoken.

Nairobi is a modern city with a tropical atmosphere and a varied selection of accommodations. The skyline is marked by the cylindrical Kenyatta Conference Center, rising from a colossal convention hall shaped like a traditional African dwelling. Exhibits depicting African wildlife, history, and culture are found in the National Museum. Snake Park, adjoining the museum, has a varied collection of snakes and other reptiles.

In Nairobi National Park, 8 km. (5 mi.) from the city, jungle cats recline lazily in the brush, and rhinos, hippos, and water buffalo can be seen basking in muddy pools. A special area of the park has been set aside for children. A short drive through the heart of Kikuyu country north of Nairboi leads travelers to the Aberdare Forest and picturesque Chania Falls. Farther north, just past the equator, is the Samburu Game Reserve in the rugged Northern Frontier Province, where giraffes, zebras, and gazelles can be observed.

Northwest of Nairobi, cradled in the Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru National Park is a bird-lover's paradise with more than 300 species of birds, including pink flamingos in dense flocks. Hippos and water buffalo are found in the park. The Masai Mara Game Reserve in the same valley is famous for its plains-dwelling animals and predators. In the bush country around Nairobi, visitors often glimpse herds of elephants or giraffes.

Sweeping views of the Rift Valley and the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya and Mount Kilamanjaro in Tanzania can be obtained from the top of the Ngong Hills. The 80-mile wide valley stretching from the Red Sea to Mozambique is a spectacular sight. Mount Kenya, rising to 5,199 meters (17,058 ft.), is the second highest peak on the African continent. The slopes are covered by tall, dense forests that provide a habitat for a diversity of wildlife. The Mount Kenya National Park is a popular site for mountain climbing as well as photo safaris. In Aberdare National Park, lodge guests can watch elephant, buffalo, rhino, and other animals drink from waterholes.

The Akagara National Park on the shores of Lake Victoria is the home of lions, leopards, buffalo, and hippos. The best gorilla-watching in Kenya is in the Volcanoes National Park, where elephants, monkeys, and antelope also roam.

Tsavo National Park is the largest in Kenya, covering 20,700 sq. km. (8,000 sq. mi.) of eastern African wilderness. As in the Mount Kenya region, animals can be viewed on the ground of several lodges. Accommodations in the park's two sections, Tsavo East and Tsavo West, range from luxurious lodges to basic camping facilities.

On the southeast coast of Kenya is the Mombasa resort area, where guests can combine wildlife encounters with beachside leisure and shopping for crafts. The nearby Taita Hills are a private sanctuary set in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboselli National Park, near the Tanzanian border, is a habitat for elephants and grazing animals. A number of lodges are located in and around the park. The Masai Mara Game Reserve, across the border from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, is noted for its lions, zebras, gazelles, and wildebeest. Giraffes, lions, zebras, and rare white rhinos are found in Meru National Park, north of Mount Kenya.

Mobassa is a Muslim city with shops selling Middle Eastern crafts, women wearing traditional black veils, and 49 mosques. Fort Jesus, built in 1593, houses an historical museum. Malindi, lying north of Mombassa, once was the Portuguese capital of western Africa. This coastal area is noted for its marine park and fine beaches, where swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and surfing are popular leisure pastimes.