Jambo! Welcome to the “Home of the Safari”—Kenya, a dynamic East African nation situated right on the equator. There are around 57 million people living here, and the capital is Nairobi, a unique city where skyscrapers overlook a national park filled with lions and giraffes. The official languages are Swahili and English.

Kenya covers about 580,367 square kilometers (224,081 square miles). The country is roughly the same size as the state of Texas in the U.S., or about the same size as France. The landscape is incredibly diverse, stretching from the white sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean to the snow-capped peak of Mount Kenya.

The most popular sports are Athletics (Track and Field)—Kenya is world-renowned for its legendary long-distance runners—and Football. Their national animal is the East African Lion, and the country is famous for the “Big Five”: the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino.

The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of black, red, and green with white borders and a traditional Maasai shield with two crossed spears in the center, where the black represents the people of Kenya, the red symbolizes the blood shed during the fight for independence, and the green stands for the country’s landscape and natural wealth.

The food is simple, fresh, and hearty. You must try Ugali, a dense cornmeal porridge that is the staple of most meals, often served with Sukuma Wiki (braised collard greens). Another favorite is Nyama Choma (roasted meat), which is a beloved social tradition. On the coast, you’ll find Swahili cuisine heavily influenced by Indian and Arab flavors, featuring fragrant Pilau rice and coconut-based fish dishes.

Kenya is home to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, where the “Great Migration” takes place—one of the most spectacular natural events on Earth, as millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the plains. The country is also the location of the Great Rift Valley, a massive geological trench that is visible from space. If you visit the Turkana Basin, you are standing in the “Cradle of Mankind,” where some of the oldest human ancestor fossils have been discovered. Kenya is also a global leader in Mobile Banking, having pioneered M-Pesa, a system that allows people to transfer money via simple text messages.

From the vibrant beadwork of the Maasai people to the turquoise waters of Diani Beach, Kenya is a land of breathtaking wildlife and warm hospitality. Asante! That means “Thank you!”