A country of more than 40 communities, joined by Swahili and a strong tradition of hospitality.
Kenya’s cultural diversity is one of its great attractions. Each community has its own language, customs and history, and Swahili serves as a common language alongside English.
Quick FactsEnglish and Swahili.
Kikuyu, Luhya, Luo, Kalenjin, Kamba, Maasai, Samburu and others.
Maasai and Samburu village visits; Swahili coast culture at Lamu and Mombasa.
Greet before asking questions; ask before photographing.
Swahili is the national language and English is the language of business and tourism. Many Kenyans speak a home language such as Kikuyu, Luo or Kalenjin as well. See our Swahili phrases for travellers.
The Kikuyu are the largest group, centred around Mount Kenya. The Luo live around Lake Victoria, the Kalenjin in the Rift Valley highlands, and the Maasai and Samburu in the savannah and north. Read about the Maasai.
Visits to Maasai and Samburu communities offer dance, beadwork and stories. Choose community-owned experiences where fees are shared fairly. On the coast, Swahili culture shows in food, dhows and architecture.
Greetings matter: ask how someone is before the question you came to ask. Dress modestly in towns and mosques, and always ask before taking portraits. See also Kenya facts.
Frequently Asked QuestionsMore than 40 ethnic communities.
Swahili and English are official, alongside many local languages.
Yes. Choose responsible, community-run visits.
Always ask before photographing people.
Semi-nomadic pastoralists of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, famous for their red shukas, beadwork and deep connection to cattle and land.
Explore →A short list of Swahili words that open doors from Nairobi to Zanzibar.
Explore →The Great Migration’s dramatic river crossings and exceptional lion density. Plan a Maasai Mara safari with Ameera Africa Safaris.
Explore →Species found nowhere else in Kenya, in a genuinely arid northern landscape. Plan a Samburu safari with Ameera Africa Safaris.
Explore →Tell us your dates and interests and we will design the route around you.
