10 facts that will make you wild about Kenya

written by Intrepid Travel September 25, 2018

Kenya is one of the world’s leading safari destinations.

You’re sure to channel your inner David Attenborough with endless up-close wildlife encounters. It’s where you’ll find Africa’s second highest mountain, and it’s home to one of the world’s most visible natural cycles; the Great Wildebeest Migration.

Here are ten fun facts that will get you keen for Kenya.

1. Close encounters with the Big Five

The Big Five was originally used by game hunters to describe Africa’s hardest animals to hunt. These days, laws have been introduced in most African countries to protect the African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, black and white species of rhinoceros and the African leopard.

RELATED: WHY RURAL KENYA STOLE MY HEART 

2. Hunting is illegal in Kenya 

It is a criminal act to hunt any protected animal in Kenya.

Image by Pascaline Le Bras

3. No traffic jams on Lamu Island

Kenya’s Lamu Island, located off the northeast coast, is car-free.

4. You can witness the result of earth splitting force

The Great Rift Valley was formed more than 20 million years ago.

Image by Dereje / Shutterstock

5. Breaking world records in running

Kenya’s Kalenjin tribe has been dubbed ‘the running tribe’ for its unbelievable ability to spawn world record breaking runners.

CHECK OUT INTREPID’S SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES TO KENYA 

6. Kenya is also home to the fastest land animal

The cheetah is the fastest moving animal on land in the world, with speeds recorded up to 120 kilometres per hour.

7. The country of languages

There are 68 different languages spoken in Kenya. The official language is Swahili.

Image by Damien Raggatt

8. Kenya is the world’s leading safari destination

The World Travel Awards recognised Kenya as the World’s Leading Safari Destination in 2017, winning the award three years in a row.

Image by Renate Culley

9. Masai Mara Nature Reserve

Masai Mara Nature Reserve is best-known for the Great Wildebeest Migration when, every year, more than a million wildebeest, zebra and antelope migrate clockwise around the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem.

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10. It has the second-highest mountain in Africa

Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest (after Mt Kilimanjaro) in Africa.

Are you looking to travel to Africa with other like-minded 18 to 35s? Check out Intrepid’s small group adventures now! 

Feature image by Damien Raggatt 

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