Kenya is a country in East Africa. It sits on the equator, with the Indian Ocean on its south-eastern coast. It borders Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, South Sudan to the north-west, Ethiopia to the north and Somalia to the north-east. Its capital is Nairobi. On a globe, Kenya lies between roughly 5° north and 5° south of the equator and between 34° and 42° east of the prime meridian. Kenya is known for its safaris, the Great Rift Valley, Mount Kenya and its beaches.
Where is Kenya at a glance
- Continent and region: Africa, in East Africa
- Neighbours: Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia
- Coast: about 536 km on the Indian Ocean
- Equator: crosses Kenya, so the country lies in both hemispheres
- Area: about 580,000 square kilometres
- Capital: Nairobi
- Population: about 58 million (Mid 2026 estimate)
- Official languages: Kiswahili and English
- Time zone: East Africa Time (UTC+3)
- Main airports: Nairobi (NBO) and Mombasa (MBA)
- Best known for: safaris, the Masai Mara, Mount Kenya and Indian Ocean beaches
Where is Kenya on the map?
On a map of Africa, look to the east side of the continent, just below the Horn of Africa. Kenya lies roughly halfway between the tip of the Horn and the southern tip of Tanzania's coast.
Kenya's location in one line: Kenya is a country in East Africa, on the Indian Ocean, with the equator running across its middle. It is in the Eastern Hemisphere, and it spans both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
The highest point is Mount Kenya, at about 5,199 metres, which is Africa's second-highest mountain. Kenya's official currency is the Kenyan shilling.
The equator cuts across the middle of the country. Nanyuki, in the highlands, is just north of the line, and Nairobi is just south of it. You can read more about where the line runs in our guide to the equator line in Kenya.
The country has four main geographic zones:
- The coast: a tropical strip on the Indian Ocean, with beaches, coral reefs and the old port city of Mombasa
- The central highlands: cool, green uplands around Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Range
- The Great Rift Valley: a huge valley running north to south, with lakes such as Naivasha, Nakuru and Elementaita
- The north and east: hot, dry plains and semi-desert, including Samburu and Lake Turkana
Kenya also shares Lake Victoria with Uganda and Tanzania, in the south-west.
Kenya's regions and what each is known for
Region | Where it is | Known for |
|---|---|---|
Nairobi | Central-south, on the highlands | The capital, Nairobi National Park, museums and the main airport |
Masai Mara | South-west, on the Tanzanian border | The Big Five and the Great Migration |
Amboseli | South, near Mount Kilimanjaro | Elephants and Kilimanjaro views |
Laikipia and Mount Kenya | Central, around the equator | Conservancies, horse riding and walking safaris |
Samburu | North, in the dry country | The Special Five animals in Kenya |
Rift Valley lakes | Central-west | Flamingos, pelicans and giraffe |
Lake Victoria region | Far west | Fishing, culture and Kisumu |
Kenyan coast | South-east | Beaches, Mombasa, Diani, Lamu and Watamu |
Key cities, parks and where they are
- Nairobi: the capital, in the central highlands. Most international flights arrive here.
- Mombasa: the main port city, on the Indian Ocean coast in the south-east.
- Kisumu: a lakeside city on Lake Victoria in the west.
- Nakuru: a Rift Valley city near Lake Nakuru, north-west of Nairobi.
- Nanyuki: a highland town near Mount Kenya and the equator, gateway to Laikipia.
- Masai Mara National Reserve: in the south-west, on the border with Tanzania.
- Amboseli National Park: in the south, beneath Mount Kilimanjaro across the border in Tanzania.
- Samburu National Reserve: in the dry north, along the Ewaso Ng'iro River.
- Lake Elementaita: in the Rift Valley, between Naivasha and Nakuru.
- Diani, Watamu and Lamu: beach destinations along the Indian Ocean coast.
Distances are long. For example, the drive from Nairobi to Mombasa is about 480 km, and the Masai Mara is several hours from Nairobi by road. Short flights save time.
Key attractions in Kenya
Kenya packs a lot into one country. Here are the key attractions and what each is known for.
Attraction | Where | Known for |
|---|---|---|
Masai Mara | South-west | The Big Five and the Great Migration, usually seen from about July to October |
Amboseli | South | Large elephant herds and views of Mount Kilimanjaro |
Mount Kenya | Central highlands | Africa's second-highest mountain at 5,199 metres and a UNESCO World Heritage Site |
Rift Valley lakes | Naivasha, Nakuru and Elementaita | Flamingos, pelicans and giraffe |
Samburu | North | The best place to see the Special Five animals in Kenya |
Laikipia | Laikipia Plateau | Horse riding, walking safaris and rhino viewing in private conservancies |
Nairobi National Park | Nairobi | Lions and giraffe beside a major city |
Diani, Watamu and Lamu | Indian Ocean coast | White sand beaches and Swahili culture to add to any safari |
What makes Kenya a unique destination?
Kenya's greatest strength is its diversity. A traveller can land in a modern capital, be watching wildlife within hours, cross the Equator, look down into the Great Rift Valley, climb Mount Kenya and end the trip beside the Indian Ocean.
People are just as important as wildlife. Kenya is home to more than 40 communities, each with its own language, dress and customs. The Maasai and Samburu of the savanna and the north are known for their beadwork, song and warrior traditions. The Swahili of the coast shaped a culture of trade, cooking and architecture that you can still see in Lamu and Mombasa. Visitors often meet these communities through village visits, guided walks, craft markets and community-run conservancies.
Landscapes change from one day to the next. One journey can take in the open plains of the Masai Mara, the elephants of Amboseli, the lakes and volcanic hills of the Rift Valley and the dry, rugged wilderness of northern Kenya. No two safaris feel the same.
Conservation adds another layer. A safari is about more than spotting animals. It also introduces you to the rangers, community members and organisations who protect Kenya's natural heritage, and your visit helps fund that work.
How to get to Kenya
Most visitors fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa serves the coast. Smaller airports and airstrips, such as Kisumu, Malindi and Amboseli, handle domestic flights.
Entry rules. Most foreign visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travelling. Citizens of East African Community states are exempt. The eTA is usually valid for 90 days from issue and is applied for online. Processing is typically about three working days, so apply early. Use only the official government portal, because third-party sites can be refused.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months. You may be asked for proof of onward travel, accommodation and funds. A yellow fever certificate may be needed if you arrive from an endemic country.
Rules change, so check the official eTA portal and your airline before you travel. We can guide you through the steps when you book.
Time zone, climate and best time to visit Kenya
Kenya uses East Africa Time, which is UTC+3, all year. It has no daylight saving. Nairobi is three hours ahead of London in winter and two hours ahead in summer.
The climate changes with altitude. The coast is hot and humid. The highlands around Nairobi and Nakuru are cooler. The north is dry and hot. The equator does not make the whole country hot.
Kenya has two rainy seasons: the long rains from about March to May, and the short rains from about October to December.
Months | Conditions | Good for |
|---|---|---|
January to March | Hot and dry | Safaris and beaches |
April to May | Long rains | Green landscapes and lower rates |
June to October | Dry season | Peak safari season and the Great Migration |
November | Short rains | Quiet travel and birdlife |
December | Mostly dry | Beaches and holiday trips |
The Great Migration in the Masai Mara is usually seen from about July to October.
Sample safari routes across Kenya
Knowing where Kenya is helps you plan a route. Here are three classic ways to see it:
- Classic Kenya (7 days): Nairobi, Lake Naivasha or Lake Elementaita, then the Masai Mara.
- Northern Kenya (6 days): Nairobi, Laikipia and Samburu, with horse riding, walks and the Special Five animals in Kenya.
- Safari and beach (10 days): a week in the Masai Mara and Amboseli, then a flight to the coast for beach days.
Olengugih Safaris can adapt any route to your dates, interests and budget.
Frequently asked questions: where is Kenya?
Where is Kenya located? Kenya is in East Africa. It lies on the equator and has a coast on the Indian Ocean.
Which countries border Kenya? Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, South Sudan to the north-west, Ethiopia to the north and Somalia to the north-east.
Is Kenya in East Africa or West Africa? East Africa.
Does the equator pass through Kenya? Yes. The equator crosses Kenya, so part of the country is in each hemisphere.
What is the capital of Kenya? Nairobi.
How big is Kenya? About 580,000 square kilometres. Published figures range from 580,367 to 582,646.
Does Kenya have a coast? Yes, about 536 km on the Indian Ocean, with Mombasa as its main port.
What time zone is Kenya in? East Africa Time, UTC+3, all year.
Which airport do I fly into? Most visitors use Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. Mombasa (MBA) serves the coast.
Do I need a visa to visit Kenya? Most foreign visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before they travel. Citizens of East African Community states are exempt. Check the official portal for current rules.
Where is Kenya in Africa? On the east side of the continent, in East Africa, with a coast on the Indian Ocean.
Is Kenya a country or a city? Kenya is a country. Its capital city is Nairobi, and its main port city is Mombasa.
Is Kenya in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere? Both. The equator crosses the country, so some parts are in the north and others are in the south.
What is the highest point in Kenya? Mount Kenya, at about 5,199 metres.
What currency does Kenya use? The Kenyan shilling (KES).
What languages are spoken in Kenya? Kiswahili and English are the official languages, and Kenyans also speak many local languages.
Plan your Kenya trip with Olengugih Safaris
Tell us your travel dates, group size and interests. We will build a route that shows you the best of Kenya and send you a free quote. Contact Olengugih Safaris to start planning.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked in October 2026 against these public sources:
- Kenya (Wikipedia): area, latitude and longitude range, population, capital, currency, languages, time zone and highest point
- Mount Kenya (Wikipedia): summit height, Africa ranking, UNESCO listing and distance from the equator
- Kenya (Encyclopædia Britannica): location, neighbouring countries and capital
- Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization portal: the official government site for eTA applications
- Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation, Embassy of Kenya in Vienna: who needs an eTA, validity, processing time and documents
- About Kenya, Embassy of Kenya in Muscat: area, coastline, neighbours, population and seasons
Figures such as population and area vary by source and year. Always check the official portal for entry rules before you travel.