Nairobi
Nai-ro-bi
Nairobi (capital of Kenya)
Usage
Capital of Kenya. Means "cool water" in Maasai. The economic and tourism hub of East Africa
Grammar Note
Nairobi derives from Maasai "Enkare Nyirobi" (cool water). Kenya's official languages are Swahili and English, but dozens of local languages like Maasai and Kikuyu are also spoken.
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Sa-laam
Dar es Salaam (Tanzania's largest city)
Usage
Tanzania's major commercial and port city. Arabic for "haven of peace"
Grammar Note
The Arabic name "Dar es Salaam" (Haven of Peace) reflects the Arab settlement of the Swahili coast. Many East African coastal place names have Arabic origins, reflecting centuries of Indian Ocean trade.
Visiwa vya Zanzibar
Vi-si-wa vya Zan-zi-bar
The Islands of Zanzibar
Usage
Tanzania's island archipelago. Known as the Spice Islands, famous for white beaches and Swahili-Arab culture
Grammar Note
"Kisiwa" (island) is ki-/vi- class; plural "visiwa." "Vya" is the vi-class connective. "Zanzibar" derives from Arabic "Zanj" (Black Africans) + "bar" (coast), reflecting the historical Arab-African interaction.
Hifadhi ya Maasai Mara
Hi-fa-dhi ya Maa-sai Ma-ra
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Usage
Kenya's world-famous wildlife reserve. Known for the Great Wildebeest Migration
Grammar Note
"Hifadhi" (conservation) derives from Arabic "hafiz" (to protect). "Maasai Mara" means "spotted/dappled" in Maasai. Kenyan place names reflect Swahili, Maasai, Kikuyu, and English influences.
Mlima Kilimanjaro
Mli-ma Ki-li-man-ja-ro
Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa's highest peak)
Usage
Africa's highest peak at 5,895m. Located in Tanzania, attracting climbers from worldwide
Grammar Note
"Mlima" (mountain) is m-/mi- class, plural "milima." The etymology of "Kilimanjaro" is debated: "kilima" (small hill) + "njaro" (whiteness) or "jaro" (greatness). Some trace it to the Chaga language.
Pwani ya Kenya
Pwa-ni ya Ke-nya
The Kenyan Coast
Usage
The coastal region around Mombasa. One of the birthplaces of Swahili culture
Grammar Note
"Pwani" (coast) is an n-class noun. "Kenya" is said to derive from the Kikuyu "Kirinyaga" (mountain of whiteness), referring to Mount Kenya, whose name was anglicized to "Kenya."
Hifadhi ya Serengeti
Hi-fa-dhi ya Se-ren-ge-ti
Serengeti National Park
Usage
Tanzania's UNESCO World Heritage Site. Means "endless plains" in Maasai
Grammar Note
"Serengeti" derives from Maasai "Siringet" (endless plains). Tanzania is one of the few African nations where Swahili is truly used as a unifying national language, serving as a model for language planning.
Stone Town ya Zanzibar
Stone Town ya Zan-zi-bar
Stone Town of Zanzibar
Usage
UNESCO World Heritage Site. A historic quarter blending Arab, Indian, African, and Portuguese culture
Grammar Note
Also called "Mji Mkongwe" (old town) in Swahili. "Mji" (town) is m-/mi- class. "Mkongwe" (old/ancient) is the m- class adjective form. Adjective prefixes agree with noun classes in Swahili.
Ziwa Victoria
Zi-wa Vic-to-ri-a
Lake Victoria
Usage
Africa's largest lake. Shared by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda
Grammar Note
"Ziwa" (lake) is ji-/ma- class; plural "maziwa." Interestingly, "maziwa" also means "milk" in Swahili. Context determines meaning, as these are considered two distinct words sharing a form.
Msitu wa Kakamega
Msi-tu wa Ka-ka-me-ga
Kakamega Forest
Usage
Tropical rainforest in western Kenya. One of the last remaining ancient rainforests in East Africa
Grammar Note
"Msitu" (forest) is m-/mi- class; plural "misitu." "Wa" is the m-class genitive connective. "Kakamega" derives from Luhya, one of many Bantu languages alongside Swahili in East Africa.
Dodoma
Do-do-ma
Usage
Capital of Tanzania, in the centre of the country; seat of parliament and the ministries, about 450 km inland from Dar es Salaam
Arusha
A-ru-sha
Usage
City in northern Tanzania and the main safari gateway to Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Kilimanjaro; most tour operators are based here
Moshi
Mo-shi
Usage
Town at the southern foot of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the base for climbs; the mountain is visible from town and the area is known for coffee
Mwanza
Mwa-nza
Usage
Tanzania's second city, on the shore of Lake Victoria; known for its granite boulders and used as the western entry point to the Serengeti
Tanga
Ta-nga
Usage
Port town in northeastern Tanzania with German colonial architecture; near the Amani Nature Reserve and the Pangani River
Morogoro
Mo-ro-go-ro
Usage
Tanzanian town at the foot of the Uluguru Mountains, about 190 km west of Dar es Salaam; on the SGR railway and the road to Mikumi National Park
Iringa
I-ri-nga
Usage
Town in Tanzania's southern highlands at 1,600 m, with a cool climate; the base for Ruaha National Park and the Isimila Stone Age site
Bagamoyo
Ba-ga-mo-yo
Usage
Historic coastal town in Tanzania about 60 km north of Dar es Salaam; endpoint of the 19th-century caravan and slave routes and the first capital of German East Africa
Kigoma
Ki-go-ma
Usage
Port town on Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania; terminus of the Central Line railway and the departure point for boats to Gombe and Mahale national parks
Kariakoo
Ka-ria-koo
Usage
Commercial district in central Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, built around one of East Africa's largest markets; crowded with local shoppers all day
Ubungo
U-bu-ngo
Usage
District in western Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, long associated with upcountry bus departures and now a main interchange on the city's BRT network
Unguja
U-ngu-ja
Unguja (Zanzibar Island)
Usage
The Swahili name for the main island of Zanzibar, Tanzania; Stone Town, the airport and the main beaches are all here, and locals use this name rather than "Zanzibar"
Pemba
Pe-mba
Pemba Island
Usage
The northern island of the Zanzibar archipelago, Tanzania; a clove-growing island with far fewer tourists than Unguja and well known for diving
Nungwi
Nu-ngwi
Usage
Village at the northern tip of Zanzibar Island, Tanzania; its beach is swimmable at all tides and the village is known for building dhows
Kendwa
Ke-ndwa
Usage
Beach village on the northwest coast of Zanzibar Island, Tanzania, just south of Nungwi; known for its sunsets and full-moon parties
Paje
Pa-je
Usage
Village on the southeast coast of Zanzibar Island, Tanzania; its shallow lagoon and steady wind make it the island's kitesurfing centre
Jambiani
Ja-mbia-ni
Usage
Long fishing village on the southeast coast of Zanzibar Island, Tanzania, just south of Paje; known for seaweed farming and a quiet stay
Kizimkazi
Ki-zi-mka-zi
Usage
Village at the southern tip of Zanzibar Island, Tanzania; departure point for dolphin tours and site of an old mosque with a 12th-century Kufic inscription
Bustani za Forodhani
Bu-sta-ni za Fo-ro-dha-ni
Forodhani Gardens
Usage
Seafront park in Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania; food stalls set up every evening and it is the classic spot for grilled seafood skewers
Soko la Darajani
So-ko la Da-ra-ja-ni
Darajani Market
Usage
Central market of Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania, in a building dating from 1904; spices, fish and produce
Nyumba ya Maajabu
Nyu-mba ya Maa-ja-bu
House of Wonders (Beit-el-Ajaib)
Usage
Former sultan's palace on the Stone Town seafront, Zanzibar, Tanzania; the first building in East Africa with electricity and a lift. Partly collapsed in 2020 and under restoration
Ngome Kongwe
Ngo-me Ko-ngwe
The Old Fort
Usage
17th-century Omani fortress in Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania, next to Forodhani Gardens; its courtyard hosts music and film events
Kisiwa cha Changuu
Ki-si-wa cha Cha-nguu
Changuu Island (Prison Island)
Usage
Small island about 20 minutes by boat from Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania; known for its Aldabra giant tortoise sanctuary and snorkelling
Msitu wa Jozani
Msi-tu wa Jo-za-ni
Jozani Forest
Usage
National park in the centre of Zanzibar Island, Tanzania; the reliable place to see the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey, with a mangrove boardwalk
Kisiwa cha Mafia
Ki-si-wa cha Ma-fia
Mafia Island
Usage
Island off southern Tanzania with a marine park, known for whale sharks between October and March; about 30 minutes by light aircraft from Dar es Salaam
Kilwa Kisiwani
Ki-lwa Ki-si-wa-ni
Usage
UNESCO World Heritage ruins on an island off southern Tanzania; the great mosque and palace of a medieval Swahili city-state that dominated Indian Ocean trade
Hifadhi ya Ngorongoro
Hi-fa-dhi ya Ngo-ro-ngo-ro
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Usage
UNESCO site in northern Tanzania. Its 19 km-wide caldera, the Ngorongoro Crater, holds a dense concentration of wildlife, and Maasai herders live inside the area
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Tarangire
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya Ta-ra-ngi-re
Tarangire National Park
Usage
National park in northern Tanzania about two hours by road from Arusha; known for large elephant herds and baobab woodland in the dry season (June–October)
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Ziwa Manyara
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya Zi-wa Ma-nya-ra
Lake Manyara National Park
Usage
Narrow park below the Rift Valley escarpment in northern Tanzania, known for tree-climbing lions and flamingos; it sits on the road to Ngorongoro
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Nyerere
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya Nye-re-re
Nyerere National Park
Usage
Very large park in southern Tanzania, carved out of the northern Selous Game Reserve and renamed in 2019; known for boat safaris on the Rufiji River
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Ruaha
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya Rua-ha
Ruaha National Park
Usage
Park near Iringa in south-central Tanzania with large lion and elephant populations and few visitors; reached by light aircraft or a long drive
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Mikumi
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya Mi-ku-mi
Mikumi National Park
Usage
Park in eastern Tanzania, the easiest to reach from Dar es Salaam at about five hours by road; the main highway runs straight through it
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Gombe
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya Go-mbe
Gombe National Park
Usage
Small park on Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania where Jane Goodall studied chimpanzees; reached by boat from Kigoma
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Milima ya Mahale
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya Mi-li-ma ya Ma-ha-le
Mahale Mountains National Park
Usage
Mountainous park on the shore of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, known for tracking wild chimpanzees; reachable only by boat or light aircraft
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Kilimanjaro
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya Ki-li-man-ja-ro
Kilimanjaro National Park
Usage
The UNESCO-listed park in Tanzania that issues Kilimanjaro climbing permits; headquarters at Marangu Gate. Climbs must go through a licensed operator with guides
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Arusha
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya A-ru-sha
Arusha National Park
Usage
Park just outside Arusha in northern Tanzania covering Mount Meru and the Momella Lakes; one of the few parks allowing walking safaris and canoeing
Mlima Meru
Mli-ma Me-ru
Mount Meru
Usage
4,562 m stratovolcano in northern Tanzania inside Arusha National Park, often climbed as acclimatisation before Kilimanjaro
Kilele cha Uhuru
Ki-le-le cha U-hu-ru
Uhuru Peak
Usage
The 5,895 m summit of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, where the summit sign stands. "Uhuru" means "freedom" in Swahili
Marangu
Ma-ra-ngu
Usage
Chagga village on Kilimanjaro's southeastern slopes in Tanzania; site of the park headquarters and the trailhead for the hut-based Marangu Route
Machame
Ma-cha-me
Usage
Village on Kilimanjaro's southern slopes in Tanzania and the gate for the Machame Route, the most-used climbing route; about an hour from Moshi
Ziwa Tanganyika
Zi-wa Ta-nga-nyi-ka
Lake Tanganyika
Usage
The world's second-deepest freshwater lake, shared by Tanzania, DR Congo, Burundi and Zambia; the Tanzanian base is Kigoma
Ziwa Natron
Zi-wa Na-tron
Lake Natron
Usage
Highly alkaline soda lake in northern Tanzania near the Kenyan border; almost the only breeding site for lesser flamingos, and known for its red-tinted water
Bonde la Ufa
Bo-nde la U-fa
The Great Rift Valley
Usage
The huge fault valley running north–south through Kenya and Tanzania; it holds Lakes Nakuru, Naivasha and Manyara, with viewpoints along the main highways
Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Julius Nyerere
U-wa-nja wa Nde-ge wa Ki-ma-tai-fa wa Ju-lius Nye-re-re
Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)
Usage
Tanzania's largest airport, about 12 km southwest of central Dar es Salaam; international flights mainly use Terminal 3 and domestic flights Terminal 2
Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Kilimanjaro
U-wa-nja wa Nde-ge wa Ki-ma-tai-fa wa Ki-li-man-ja-ro
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Usage
International airport in northern Tanzania, midway between Arusha and Moshi (about an hour to each); the gateway for northern safaris and Kilimanjaro climbs
Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Abeid Amani Karume
U-wa-nja wa Nde-ge wa Ki-ma-tai-fa wa A-beid A-ma-ni Ka-ru-me
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (Zanzibar, ZNZ)
Usage
Zanzibar's airport in Tanzania, about 7 km south of Stone Town; passports are checked even when arriving from the Tanzanian mainland
Uwanja wa Ndege wa Arusha
U-wa-nja wa Nde-ge wa A-ru-sha
Arusha Airport (ARK)
Usage
Small airport west of Arusha, Tanzania, used for light-aircraft bush flights to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro; not the same as Kilimanjaro International
Bandari ya Dar es Salaam
Ba-nda-ri ya Dar es Sa-laam
Port of Dar es Salaam
Usage
Tanzania's main port; the passenger terminal for fast ferries to Zanzibar is on the central waterfront and the crossing takes about two hours
Bandari ya Zanzibar
Ba-nda-ri ya Zan-zi-bar
Zanzibar Port
Usage
Port in the Malindi area at the north edge of Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania; the ferry terminal for Dar es Salaam and Pemba
Stesheni ya TAZARA
Ste-she-ni ya TA-ZA-RA
TAZARA Railway Station
Usage
Terminus of the Tanzania–Zambia railway in southwestern Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; trains run twice weekly to Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia via the Mikumi and Selous areas
Mombasa
Mo-mba-sa
Usage
Kenya's second city and one of East Africa's largest ports, with an old town on an island and a strong Swahili identity; about six hours from Nairobi by SGR train
Kisumu
Ki-su-mu
Usage
Kenya's third city, on Lake Victoria; the centre of Luo culture, known for lake sunsets, tilapia and birdwatching
Nakuru
Na-ku-ru
Usage
Rift Valley city in central Kenya next to Lake Nakuru National Park, about two to three hours by road from Nairobi
Nyeri
Nye-ri
Usage
Town in the Kenyan central highlands between Mount Kenya and the Aberdares, a base for both parks; Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouts, is buried here
Malindi
Ma-li-ndi
Usage
Resort town on Kenya's north coast about 120 km from Mombasa, popular with Italian visitors and holding monuments linked to Zheng He and Vasco da Gama
Watamu
Wa-ta-mu
Usage
Small beach town on the Kenyan coast about 25 km south of Malindi, known for the coral reefs of its marine national park and for turtle conservation
Diani
Dia-ni
Usage
Kenya's best-known south-coast beach resort, about 30 km south of Mombasa across the Likoni ferry; the nearest town is Ukunda
Kilifi
Ki-li-fi
Usage
Creek-side town on the Kenyan coast midway between Mombasa and Malindi, known for sailing on Kilifi Creek and a quiet stay
Naivasha
Nai-va-sha
Usage
Rift Valley town in Kenya about two hours from Nairobi, the base for Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate National Park and a major cut-flower growing area
Nanyuki
Na-nyu-ki
Usage
Kenyan town on the equator at the western foot of Mount Kenya, the base for climbs and for the Laikipia conservancies; the equator crossing is marked in town
Lamu
La-mu
Usage
Island on Kenya's far north coast; its old town is a UNESCO site and the oldest continuously inhabited Swahili settlement, with donkeys and dhows instead of cars
Voi
Vo-i
Usage
Town in southern Kenya with an SGR railway station, the gateway to the Voi Gate of Tsavo East National Park
Westlands
West-lands
Usage
District just northwest of central Nairobi, Kenya, concentrating hotels, restaurants, large shopping malls and international company offices
Karen
Ka-ren
Usage
Leafy suburb in southwestern Nairobi, Kenya, named after the writer Karen Blixen; her former farmhouse is open as a museum
Nyali
Nya-li
Usage
Seaside district on the north side of Mombasa, Kenya, linked to the island by Nyali Bridge; the start of the hotel-lined north coast beaches
Uhuru Park
U-hu-ru Park
Usage
Park in central Nairobi, Kenya. "Uhuru" is Swahili for "freedom"; it has a boating lake and monuments to independence
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Nairobi
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya Nai-ro-bi
Nairobi National Park
Usage
National park on the edge of Nairobi city, Kenya, where lions, rhinos and giraffes are seen against the city skyline; close to the airport
Makumbusho ya Taifa ya Kenya
Ma-ku-mbu-sho ya Tai-fa ya Ke-nya
National Museum of Kenya (Nairobi)
Usage
National museum near central Nairobi, Kenya, known for its hominid fossils including Turkana Boy and for exhibits on Kenya's ethnic cultures
Fort Jesus
Fort Je-sus
Usage
16th-century Portuguese fortress on the waterfront of Mombasa Old Town, Kenya; a UNESCO World Heritage Site now open as a museum
Mji Mkongwe wa Mombasa
Mji Mko-ngwe wa Mo-mba-sa
Mombasa Old Town
Usage
Historic quarter on the east side of Mombasa Island, Kenya, next to Fort Jesus; Swahili-Arab houses with carved doors and overhanging balconies
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Amboseli
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya A-mbo-se-li
Amboseli National Park
Usage
Park in southern Kenya on the Tanzanian border, famous as the place to photograph elephant herds with Kilimanjaro behind them
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Tsavo Mashariki
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya Tsa-vo Ma-sha-ri-ki
Tsavo East National Park
Usage
One of Kenya's largest parks, known for its "red elephants" coloured by the local soil; entered from Voi town and the Mombasa road
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Tsavo Magharibi
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya Tsa-vo Ma-gha-ri-bi
Tsavo West National Park
Usage
Park west of the Nairobi–Mombasa highway in southern Kenya, known for its lava flows and Mzima Springs, where hippos are viewed underwater
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Ziwa Nakuru
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya Zi-wa Na-ku-ru
Lake Nakuru National Park
Usage
Rift Valley lake park in Kenya, known for large flocks of flamingos and as a sanctuary for black and white rhino
Mlima Kenya
Mli-ma Ke-nya
Mount Kenya
Usage
Africa's second-highest mountain at 5,199 m in Kenya and the source of the country's name; the summit Batian needs climbing skills but Point Lenana is a trekking peak
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Mlima Kenya
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya Mli-ma Ke-nya
Mount Kenya National Park
Usage
UNESCO-listed park in central Kenya that issues Mount Kenya climbing permits; the Naro Moru, Sirimon and Chogoria routes start here
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Aberdare
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya A-ber-da-re
Aberdare National Park
Usage
Mountain park in Kenya's central highlands with cool bamboo forest and waterfalls, known for tree lodges overlooking waterholes for night game viewing
Hifadhi ya Samburu
Hi-fa-dhi ya Sa-mbu-ru
Samburu National Reserve
Usage
Semi-arid reserve along the Ewaso Ng'iro River in northern Kenya, where northern specials such as reticulated giraffe and Grevy's zebra are seen
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Hell's Gate
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya Hell's Gate
Hell's Gate National Park
Usage
Park near Naivasha, Kenya; with few large predators it is one of the few parks you can cycle and walk through, with a gorge and geothermal steam vents
Ziwa Naivasha
Zi-wa Nai-va-sha
Lake Naivasha
Usage
Freshwater Rift Valley lake in Kenya with many hippos and waterbirds; boats cross to Crescent Island for a walking safari
Msitu wa Arabuko Sokoke
Msi-tu wa A-ra-bu-ko So-ko-ke
Arabuko Sokoke Forest
Usage
The largest remaining coastal dry forest in East Africa, inland from Watamu and Malindi in Kenya; known for endemic birds and elephant shrews
Magofu ya Gede
Ma-go-fu ya Ge-de
Gede Ruins
Usage
Ruins of a Swahili town swallowed by forest near Watamu on the Kenyan coast, with mosques, a palace and houses from the 13th to 17th centuries
Hifadhi ya Bahari ya Watamu
Hi-fa-dhi ya Ba-ha-ri ya Wa-ta-mu
Watamu Marine National Park
Usage
Coral reef protected area on the Kenyan coast; glass-bottom boats run from Watamu beach to the reef for snorkelling
Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Jomo Kenyatta
U-wa-nja wa Nde-ge wa Ki-ma-tai-fa wa Jo-mo Ke-nya-tta
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Usage
One of East Africa's busiest airports, about 18 km southeast of central Nairobi, Kenya, on Mombasa Road; the hub of Kenya Airways
Uwanja wa Ndege wa Wilson
U-wa-nja wa Nde-ge wa Wil-son
Wilson Airport (WIL)
Usage
Light-aircraft airport in southern Nairobi, Kenya, handling safari flights to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and Lamu; separate from the international airport
Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Moi
U-wa-nja wa Nde-ge wa Ki-ma-tai-fa wa Mo-i
Moi International Airport (Mombasa, MBA)
Usage
International airport west of Mombasa, Kenya; the arrival point for charter and domestic flights to the Kenyan coast beach resorts
Nairobi Terminus
Nai-ro-bi Ter-mi-nus
Nairobi Terminus (SGR)
Usage
Nairobi terminus of Kenya's SGR "Madaraka Express" trains. It is at Syokimau in the southeastern outskirts, not the city centre, 30–45 minutes by road from town
Mombasa Terminus
Mo-mba-sa Ter-mi-nus
Mombasa Terminus (SGR)
Usage
Mombasa terminus of Kenya's SGR line, located at Miritini on the mainland rather than on Mombasa Island; about 30 minutes by road from the old town
Stesheni ya Athi River
Ste-she-ni ya A-thi Ri-ver
Athi River Station (SGR)
Usage
The first SGR stop after Nairobi Terminus in Kenya, serving the industrial town of Athi River in Machakos County southeast of Nairobi
Stesheni ya Emali
Ste-she-ni ya E-ma-li
Emali Station (SGR)
Usage
Intermediate SGR station between Nairobi and Mombasa in Kenya, used as the drop-off point for Amboseli National Park
Stesheni ya Mtito Andei
Ste-she-ni ya Mti-to A-nde-i
Mtito Andei Station (SGR)
Usage
Intermediate SGR station in Kenya set in the middle of the Tsavo area, close to gates for both Tsavo East and Tsavo West
Naivasha Terminus
Nai-va-sha Ter-mi-nus
Naivasha Terminus (SGR)
Usage
Western terminus of Kenya's SGR line beyond Nairobi. It stands in open country near Suswa rather than in Naivasha town, so onward road transport is needed
Stesheni ya Reli ya Nairobi
Ste-she-ni ya Re-li ya Nai-ro-bi
Nairobi Railway Station
Usage
The old metre-gauge station in central Nairobi, Kenya, used by commuter trains and the shuttle to the SGR terminus; the Railway Museum is next door
Kivuko cha Likoni
Ki-vu-ko cha Li-ko-ni
Likoni Ferry
Usage
Free vehicle and foot ferry linking Mombasa Island, Kenya, with Likoni on the south shore; the only direct route to Diani and the south coast, and very crowded at peak hours
Kampala
Ka-mpa-la
Usage
Capital of Uganda, a city of hills just north of Lake Victoria. English is official but Swahili is widely understood, especially in markets and transport
Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Entebbe
U-wa-nja wa Nde-ge wa Ki-ma-tai-fa wa E-nte-bbe
Entebbe International Airport (EBB)
Usage
Uganda's only international airport, on the shore of Lake Victoria at Entebbe, about 40 km and one to two hours by road from Kampala
Jinja
Ji-nja
Usage
Town in eastern Uganda where the Nile leaves Lake Victoria; billed as the source of the Nile and the base for white-water rafting and bungee jumping
Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Bwindi
Hi-fa-dhi ya Tai-fa ya Bwi-ndi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Usage
UNESCO-listed montane rainforest in southwestern Uganda, known for mountain gorilla trekking; permits are limited and must be booked in advance
Maporomoko ya Murchison
Ma-po-ro-mo-ko ya Mur-chi-son
Murchison Falls
Usage
Waterfall in northwestern Uganda where the Nile is forced through a 7 m gap; the centrepiece of the national park of the same name, usually seen on a river boat safari
Kigali
Ki-ga-li
Usage
Capital of Rwanda, a clean and safe hillside city; home to the Genocide Memorial and the starting point for gorilla trekking trips
Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Kigali
U-wa-nja wa Nde-ge wa Ki-ma-tai-fa wa Ki-ga-li
Kigali International Airport (KGL)
Usage
Rwanda's international airport, only about 10 km east of central Kigali and a common connecting point for flights around East Africa
Milima ya Virunga
Mi-li-ma ya Vi-ru-nga
The Virunga Mountains
Usage
Chain of volcanoes straddling the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo; the habitat of the mountain gorilla, protected on the Rwandan side as Volcanoes National Park
Ziwa Kivu
Zi-wa Ki-vu
Lake Kivu
Usage
Lake on the border of Rwanda and DR Congo; the Rwandan lakeside towns of Gisenyi and Kibuye are used as swimming and rest stops
Goma
Go-ma
Usage
Capital of North Kivu province in eastern DR Congo, on the north shore of Lake Kivu next to Gisenyi in Rwanda, below Nyiragongo volcano. Check current security advice before travelling
Bukavu
Bu-ka-vu
Usage
Capital of South Kivu province in eastern DR Congo, at the southern end of Lake Kivu on the Rwandan border at Cyangugu. Check current security advice before travelling
More Swahili phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
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