Kenya

Kenya is a densely-populated East African country with over 44 million residents. It’s named for the second-highest mountain on the continent, Mount Kenya. Official languages are Swahili and English. The terrain includes Indian Ocean coastline, grasslands, mountains, and arid areas. Kenya offers excellent opportunities to go on safari, as well as great beaches where international yachting competitions are held. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing make a significant contribution to the economy, but not like tourism. East and West Tsavo National Park contains a major game reserve well worth visiting. For a different pace and cultural experience, check out Lamu Island in the Indian Ocean, an old, well-preserved Swahili settlement just off the mainland by the town of Mokowe.

Yams and ugali (cornmeal porridge) are important starchy staples. Cabbage, spinach, kale, tomatoes, and potatoes are popular vegetables. Skip KFC and Subway, and go for traditional foods like g─®theri, a Kenyan traditional meal of maize and kidney beans. Basic dishes like rice pilau, roasted meat known as nyama choma, or smashed starch vegetables with pumpkin leaves can be dressed up with kachumbari, a tomato-onion-chili saladlike condiment. It can have additional cilantro, avocado, Scotch Bonnet peppers, or gin or vodka. Indian food is easy to get in urban areas like Mombassa and Nairobi, and there are a few vegetarian Chinese restaurants along with more Kenyan ones. Check out the Saturday market in Nairobi that sells organic vegetables, fruits, and herbs, or stores that carry pastes made of ginger or simsim (sesame). Urwaga is an alcoholic drink made from fermented mashed bananas and a leavening agent like sorghum, millet, or maize flour. Taste the a-peel of banana beer!