| There are many beautiful towns and cities in Kenya that are a big attraction to tourists and visitors. While most travelers go to Kenya to see Animals in the game reserves, many others visit popular tourist towns like Mombasa, Nairobi and Malindi to enjoy many interesting sights and sounds. |
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| » Nairobi |
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The city was founded in 1899 as a simple rail depot on the railway linking Mombasa to Uganda, the town quickly grew to become the capital of British East Africa in 1907. Nairobi is the largest cities of Africa, addressed by many names describing its contrasting characteristic features, Nairobi is a city quite popular on Africa especially for its pleasant climate, well-made streets and posh suburbs. |
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| It is a city that appears bustling with the activity of people, busy in their fast lifestyle. The place is a perfect destination for safari lovers. The Snake Park and National Museum that form a part of Kenyatta Avenue is also |
| a popular place to visit for tourists along with the Masai market that draws tourists for its appealing handicrafts. |
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| » Mombasa |
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| Mombasa, the Kenya’s second largest city, Mombasa is renowned for its exotic beaches that form a favorite spot to buy the exquisite wooden carvings. It is the heart of Mombasa Island with an approximate population of nine lakh inhabitants, according to the 1999 census. The city is rich with captivating Islamic architecture that reflects the values and cultural preferences of the Swahili community, which forms the major part of population of the city. Mombasa is named after the Arabic word “nabas” meaning to speak in public and reflects Mombasa’s original role as a trading and meeting centre. It is connected by ferries and bridges to the mainland. |
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| Mombasa has a large commercial harbor. Mombasa town is mainly occupied by the Muslim Mijikenda/Swahili people. Over the centuries there have been many immigrants and traders who settled in Mombasa, particularly from Persia, Middle East, Somalia and Indian sub-continent who came mainly as traders and skilled craftsmen and even after four or five generations. |
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| » Eldoret |
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| The name “ELDORET” is based on the Maasai word “ELDARE” meaning “STONY RIVER” because the bed of the nearby Sosiani River is very stony. The white settlers decided to call it Eldoret to make it easier for them to pronounce it. Eldoret has all the conveniences and is a good place to stock up for your explorations of the Western Highlands. It’s on the way if you are heading north to Mount Elgon National Park or the Cherangani Hills. If you are southbound on a Kenya Safari to the Masai Mara or Aberdare National Park you may want to break the journey with a stopover here. |
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| » Embu |
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| It’s located approximately 120 kilometers northeast of Nairobi towards Mount Kenya. This is a large town in Kenya, Embu is a major trading centre in Eastern Kenya. For a long time, it was the main economic center for the Aembu and the Ambeere subtribes, as well as other groups of people in central Kenya. |
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| » Garissa |
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| This is the capital of the province and Garissa District. Garissa has a population of 65,881 (1999 census). The Tana River flows through the city of Garissa. Lots of camels, donkeys, goats and cattle are mostly found on the road. There is also a giraffe sanctuary in Garissa that offer protection and conservation of the reticulated giraffes in this remote part of Kenya. The sanctuary is located along the eastern side of the river near Garissa and the giraffes acess it through marked watering corridors. |
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| » Kisumu |
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| Kisumu is a port city in Western Kenya and it is the third largest city in Kenya and second most important city after Kampala in the greater basin of Lake Victoria. Kisumu is the third largest Kenyan city, with a population of over 350,000 (in 1999). It is a port town, but sitting on the shore of Lake Victoria rather than the Indian Ocean. There are several animal sanctuaries in Kisumu, as well as a large museum that contains a full-size replica of a Luo homestead. |
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| » Lamu |
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| Lamu is situated at the heart of the Indian Ocean, off the Kenyan coast and north of Mombasa, the island is home to the Swahili. Lamu, an old historic town and the largest stone town in East Africa was founded in the 14th century and played a huge role in the trade between Arabia and Eastern Africa for centuries. Lamu island’s aura is captivating, the fascinating buildings, its massive carved doors, numerous mosques, the narrow streets. Lamu town is also the headquarters of Lamu District and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
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| » Lodwar |
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| This is the largest town in northwestern Kenya, lying west of Lake Turkana on the A1 road. Its main industries are basket weaving and tourism. Shah Mohamed opened several stores in remote towns of this Turkana district because he was the only contractor and supplier to government departments, carried mail to the area, supplied and transported the goods for the Norwegian. |
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| » Meru |
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| Meru is an important town in the coffee-growing area & situating on the northern slopes of Mount Kenya. It is an agricultural town, with crops such as coffee and tea being of foremost importance. Many farmers have turned to growing Khat, a leafy plant that is chewed as a drug and illegal in many countries. There are several wildlife parks in the area, so Meru has become a stopping place for adventure tourists. |
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| » Nakuru |
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| Nakuru is currently the forth largest urban town in Kenya. It got its name from the people of maasi community. The economy of Nakuru depends mainly on agriculture, manufacturing and tourism & contains approximately three lakh people residing in it. |
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| This is famous for its tourism and agriculture that form the basis for earning income in the country. Dairy farming and the production of crops like maize, wheat, beans, coffee and barley form a part of economic activity. In the tourism sector, Lake Nakuru National Park, a habitat far many wild animals especially flamingoes and the serene Lake Nakuru, the ancient Hyrax Hill and the rift valley sports club fascinate a number of tourists. |
| While in Lake Nakuru you will get to enjoy the thousands of flamingoes and other terrestrial and water birds. Lake Nakuru National Park is small, but tightly filled with a large variety of animals. |
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| » Nyeri |
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| Nyeri is situated about 150 km north of the capital Nairobi. It lies at the eastern base of the Aberdare Range. The farming is main industry in Nyeri which is mostly unmechanized. The town area is actually part of the surrounding rural greater Nyeri districts, and farms within the municipality blend seamlessly into the rural area. The main cash crops are Coffee and tea, grown mainly by smallholders who are organized into quasi-private state-supported and supervised co-operatives or companies. |
