Kenya's Economy
Safari Tourism
How wildlife tourism in parks like the Maasai Mara brings revenue to Kenya, how conservancies share benefits with communities, and threats from poaching and climate.
Wildlife tourism is a major source of foreign exchange for Kenya.
Attractions
- The Maasai Mara and its annual wildebeest migration.
- Amboseli with views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Coastal beaches.
Revenue
Tourism brings billions of dollars a year and employs many Kenyans.
Community conservancies
- Conservancies lease land from Maasai and other communities, paying them for wildlife tourism rather than farming or grazing.
- This gives communities an economic stake in conservation.
Threats
- Poaching of elephants and rhinos.
- Human-wildlife conflict as farms expand.
- Drought reducing wildlife.
- Shocks like terrorism and COVID-19.
Economic value of wildlife
Studies suggest a living elephant can be worth far more in tourism revenue over its life than its ivory.
Ivory burning
Kenya burned 100 tonnes of ivory in 2016 to signal opposition to the ivory trade.
A Maasai family leases grazing land to a conservancy. They receive regular payments and jobs at a safari camp, while wildlife roams the land.
Tourism makes living wildlife very valuable.
- Wildlife tourism earns Kenya billions.
- Community conservancies share revenue with landowners.
- Poaching, drought and conflict are threats.
- Kenya burned 100 tonnes of ivory in 2016.
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