Guided visis to a local village with the chance to visit typical homes, see and buy handicrafts.
Increasing numbers of lodges, camps and coastal resorts feature cultural visits on their entertainment schedules. Usually these will be to an authentic local village where visitors are invited to enter a typical ethnic home, watch a dance display, or watch beading and handicrafts being done. Often they will also be invited to purchase locally-made items – which will often be much more authentic than those available in the usual gift shops. Part of the eco-cultural revolution, cultural visits play a vital part both in ensuring that the people of East Africa benefit from the national tourism income, and that Africa’s ancient cultural heritage is sustained and supported for the future. Typically, all the members of the visited village will receive payment from the organisers, who will also often provide other benefits such as; clean water, health support, educational support, jobs etc. Village members are, therefore, more than happy to cooperate with the scheme. A naturally welcoming and friendly people, the East Africans are also usually genuinely delighted to welcome guests and meet people from other countries.
Typically a dance performance by a group of local dancers in traditional dress and accompanied by local musicians.
Most lodges and resort offer some form of cultural performance – usually in the evening. This may take the form of a dance display (usually Maasai), singing, jumping or drumming. On the coast acrobatic displays are popular.
Kenya offers a wide range of sites of historical and cultural interest, as listed below. She also offers a wide range of museums. For more information contact National Museums of Kenya: www.museums.or.ke
Kenya’s World Heritage Sites
Fort Jesus (16th century Portuguese fort), Gedi Ruins (13th century Swahili town), KoobiFora (3 million-year-old palaeontological site), Lamu (16th century Swahili port), (Mount Kenya (Kenya’s highest mountain), Hells Gate National Park (geothermal area) and the Maasai Mara National Reserve (scene of the annual migration of the wildebeest).
Kenya’s Historical Sites
Kenya has over 400 historical sites ranging from prehistoric fossils and petrified forests, to 14th century slave trading settlements, Islamic ruins and 16th century Portuguese Forts.