Fast Facts:

Size: 582,645 square km (224,960 square mi)

Number of National Parks and Reserves: 49

Number of Private Reserves: Too many to count

Population of Country: Approximately 32 million

Big Five: You'll find them all here.

Languages: Kiswahili is the official language, but most people speak English.

Time: Kenya is on EAT (East Africa Time), which is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and eight hours ahead of North America's Eastern Standard Time.

Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory in Kenya; but if you get good service, some tip is worth.

Emergencies: Dial 999 for the ambulance and fire and police departments.

Money Matters: The official currency is the Kenya Shilling. Available Notes are 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 shillings. Available coins are 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 shillings.

Passports & Visas: Your passport must be valid up to six months after you leave Kenya. Single-entry visas (US$50), valid for three months, are available at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (you can use US$, euros, or UK pounds sterling), and can be used to move freely between Kenya and Tanzania.

Visitor Information: Your best option is to consult the Kenya tourist destination Web sites http://www.fabulouskenya.com and http://www.magicalkenya.com before you leave home. Kenya Tourism Federation, which represents the private sector of the tourism industry has a good tourist help line (020/604-767), and the Web site for Kenya Wildlife Services (www.kws.org) is a good source if you're going to a national park.

Health & Safety: You'll need full-cover medical travel insurance, and, if you're planning to dive, trek, or climb, make sure your insurance covers active pursuits. Check with your health care provider to see what vaccinations might be necessary for your destination(s). Always use sunscreen and bug repellent.