Why everyone should visit Kenya in their lifetime

By BEATRICE WAMUYU

KENYA: When Fred Finn, the world’s most travelled man visited Kenya recently, he described it as the most beautiful country on the planet.

Finn, who has visited more than 140 countries, said he is always enchanted by the scenic beauty as well as the hospitality of the people.

In March this year, he told a UK magazine, FemaleFirst, that Kenya is his all-time favourite destination.

 “Kenya has everything. It is the most amazing country. There are breathtaking mountains and wonderful lakes. The animals are fantastic,” he said.

“Personally, I think it has the three main things that make a good holiday; great food, a wonderful safari and the best climate. I would recommend that everyone visits Kenya once in their lifetime.”

Finn, who first became the world’s most travelled man in 1983 and was recognised by the Guinness Book of Records, could as well have been speaking for the rest of the world. He has visited Africa more than 600 times.

Some of the notable personalities that have visited Kenya and showered praise are America’s President Theodore Roosevelt and UK statesman Sir Winston Churchill. Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouts movement came, fell in love and decided to spend the rest of his life here.

Tourism industry

From Mount Kenya, the white sands on the beaches of the Indian Ocean to the savannahs, the beauty is breathtaking. Kenya has therefore a thriving tourism industry driven by lovers of nature, indigenous cultures and the people’s hospitality. Wildlife safaris are a favoured attraction.

There are lots of things one can do: rock climbing, breakfast with giraffes, snake safaris, outdoor driving, rally in the wild plains, mingle with indigenous peoples and sample their culture, name it.

Game reserves and national parks offer places to watch wildlife in their natural habitats. Alternatively, people can visit places such as Hell’s Gate National Park to see the amazing landscape of gorges and cliffs.

Tourist numbers have been rising steadily. Arrivals have risen to 1.8 million, compared to 1.2 million in 2008. Earnings have gone up by 50 per cent, from Sh53 billion in 2008 to Sh93 billio