Destinations List
About Kenya
Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa named after Mount Kenya, the second-highest peak in Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, and South Sudan to the northwest, with a beautiful coastline along the Indian Ocean to the southeast. Kenya has a population of around 55 million people, with Nairobi as the capital and largest city. Another major city, Mombasa, serves as the country’s main port and coastal hub.
“Kenya is one of the most beautiful places in the world, from the mountains to the sparkling sand of the beach ... and I believe it is the bluest water anywhere on the planet!” remembers Barbara Batie, a 1977 IFYE representative to Kenya.
Kenya is world-famous for its wildlife and breathtaking landscapes, making it one of the top safari destinations in the world. From the savannas of the Maasai Mara and Amboseli to the Great Rift Valley and Mount Kenya, the country has extraordinary biodiversity. Kenya is also an agricultural nation, producing tea, coffee, flowers, and fresh vegetables as major exports. The climate varies by region, with cooler highlands, hot and dry savannas, and warm, humid coastal areas. There are two rainy seasons — the “long rains” from March to May and the “short rains” from October to December — but much of the country enjoys warm, sunny weather year-round.
Safari in Kenya
Visitors to Kenya can expect to see some of the world’s most iconic animals: lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and cheetahs. The annual Great Migration — where millions of wildebeest and zebras cross from Tanzania into Kenya’s Maasai Mara — is considered one of the greatest natural spectacles on earth. Beyond wildlife, Kenya also offers white-sand beaches along the Indian Ocean, vibrant coral reefs for snorkeling and diving, and cultural experiences with the Maasai, Samburu, and other communities.
Kenya’s motto “Harambee,” meaning “let’s all pull together,” reflects the spirit of community that you’ll feel while living there. Kenyans are warm, welcoming, and proud of their culture and traditions. Life moves at a steady pace, and people take time to connect and share meals together.
What to Expect:
The main languages in Kenya are English and Swahili. Knowing a few Swahili words and greetings before you go will be very helpful, though most Kenyans will happily teach you along the way.
Kenyan food is hearty and flavorful. Ugali (a stiff maize porridge), sukuma wiki (collard greens), beans, chapati, rice, beef, goat, and chicken are common staples, while fresh tropical fruits like mangoes, pineapples, and passion fruit are widely enjoyed. Be ready to try chai (Kenyan spiced tea), which is served daily and shared as a sign of hospitality.
Phyllis Debnar, 1971 IFYE to Kenya, remembers how “we washed clothes in the river and hung them to dry on nearby bushes until a young cattle herder drove his cows through our laundry,” and reflects that it was a “once in a lifetime experience!”
Depending on where you stay, you may experience limited access to hot water, internet, or electricity — but you’ll also gain the gift of simplicity, community, and connection to nature. Approach your time in Kenya with an open mind and expect to grow deeply from the experience.
Program Information:
Applications for the 2026 program can be found here: IFYE Outbound Application Process for 2026
Application Deadline: March 1, 2026
For additional information, please contact: Traci Ross Sherlock, Interim National Program Director tsherlock@ifyeusa.org
