Wildlife and tourism

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 Wildlife
Refers to all plants and animals (flora and fauna) existing on their own in their natural habitat. The term
animal includes the birds, insects, fish, reptiles, amphibians and worms.
Factors influencing the distribution of wildlife in East Africa.
i. Climate – vegetation type and distribution varies depending on temperature variation. This is
caused by difference in altitude. Most animals are found in low altitude areas that are hot and
warm. Only a few species of animals like the mountain gorillas inhibit the high and cold
mountain regions.
ii. Rainfall – areas with abundant rainfall have wide variety of plant species. A variety of animals,
birds and insects exist in such areas. Low rainfall result in extensive grassland vegetation and a
variety of herbivorous live in those areas. Arid areas have limited vegetation cover thus few wild
animals live there.
iii. Relief/ terrain
 Altitude – variation in altitude results in temperature and rainfall difference which in turn
results in altitudinal distribution of vegetation. This directly influences the distribution of
wild animals depending on their requirements in terms of food, habitat and climatic
condition.
 Aspect – aspect affects temperature and rainfall. Windward slopes receive high rainfall thus
has thick vegetation and many animals. Leeward slopes on the other hand receives low
rainfall thus has savannah grassland vegetation which is good for herbivores.
iv. Vegetation – different types of vegetation are habitats for different types of animals. Natural
forests are good habitats for elephants, buffaloes, monkeys and a variety of birds and insects.
Savannah grasslands host a variety of herbivores. It also attracts many carnivores that prey on the
herbivores. Savannah woodland are habitats for giraffes because they feed on foliage of trees.
v. Drainage – well drained areas support a wide variety of plants and animals. Poorly drained areas
only have plants that grow under water logged conditions such as papyrus, marsh and fern. Open
water bodies like oceans, lakes and rivers host a variety of birds, fish and reptiles.
vi. Soil type – different types of plants grow in different types of soils thus a difference in their
distribution. Insects like beetles and crabs live in sandy soils while termites and rodents like to
stay in red volcanic soils which are warmer.
vii. Human activities – forms of land use like agriculture, settlement, road and dam construction
have contributed to adverse destruction of vegetation and natural habitat for wild animals. Illegal
logging and poaching have endangered some species of plants and wild animals.

National parks, game reserves and sanctuaries

a. National park – this is an area set aside for the protection and preservation of wildlife and
historical sites against destruction. They are gazetted and no human activities are allowed
whatsoever. National parks are maintained and managed by the central government.
In Kenya national parks include, Amboseli, Aberderes, Meru, Mount Kenya and Lake Nakuru
Pre-historic sites include, Hyrax Hill, Fort Jesus, Gedi Ruins and Kariandusi
b. Game reserve – these are areas set aside for the preservation of wildlife but some limited human
activities are allowed such as grazing. They are managed by the local authority of the regions
where they are located such as the county councils. Examples of game reserves in Kenya are;
- Kakamega Forest Reserve
- Masai Mara Game Reserve
- Shimba Hills National Reserve
- Buffalo Springs Reserve
c. Sanctuary – these are special areas set aside to give protection to specific plants and animal
species which are threatened with extinction. Hunting is not permitted in such areas and predators
are controlled. Examples of sanctuaries in Kenya are;
- Lake Nakuru National Park for flamingoes and pelicans, elephants and rhinos
- Tana River for rare species of monkeys and baboons

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 - Lake Baringo for reptiles e.g. snakes.
- Nairobi National Park for snakes
Significance of wildlife
1. Wildlife forms the basis of the tourism industry in East Africa. It attracts tourists from within and
outside the country. This earns the country foreign exchange.
2. Wildlife offers employment to many people. Many people are employed in the parks and reserves
as game rangers, wardens, tour guides and in lodges and hotels. This enables them to earn income
thus raising their living standards.
3. Wildlife encourages education and scientific research in the different plants and animal species,
conservation and management of wildlife and environment.
4. Preservation of flora, especially forests, helps to preserve and protect water catchment areas as
well as the soils. Forests also modify climate resulting in increased rainfall.
5. Wildlife conservation in some areas is a valuable economic utilization of marginal areas with
little rainfall. This provides an alternative land use.
6. Under limited and controlled hunting, wild animals are a source of game meat which is sold in
some restaurants. Bees are a source of honey which is used as food.
7. Wildlife has an aesthetic value. Both animals and plants enhance the scenic beauty of the
environment and are thus a source of recreation.
8. There is a close relationship between flora and fauna and interference with either interferes with
ecological balance.
9. Some wild plants have medicinal value. They are used to manufacture medicines or cure diseases.
For example, the neem tree and the aloe vera.

Problems facing wildlife in East Africa

1. Poaching – this is illegal hunting of wildlife in game parks/ reserves for game meat, skin and
trophies. This has greatly threatened the population size of certain species of wild game such as
white rhino and the elephant.
2. Pollution – poor industrial and domestic refuse disposal has adverse effect on wildlife, especially
on marine life. Pollution of streams flowing through national parks has resulted into the death of
wildlife.
3. Inadequate capital – the government in developing countries lack enough capital to carry out
wildlife conservation. There are no enough funds to pay the game rangers and to fence the parks
and reserves.
4. Adverse climatic conditions – adverse climatic conditions such as severe drought causes
shortage of water and pasture. This forces animals to migrate to other areas. Some animals may
also die in the process. Floods drawn animals and kill the plants thus depriving the animals of
pasture.
5. Pests and diseases – animals in the parks are attacked by many pests and diseases and they may
fall sick and go unnoticed. When there is an outbreak of a disease, the animals may die in large
numbers thus reducing their population.
6. Bush fires – these fires are usually started by arsonists, careless handling of fire or people who
graze their animals in game reserves in order to allow fresh pasture to grow. The fires burn down
the vegetation which is the pasture and habitat for the animals. Some animals are killed while
others migrate
7. Wildlife human conflict – these are common in areas where people live near the game parks/
reserves. Animals such as elephants, buffaloes and baboons invade peoples’ farms and destroy
their crops. Leopards and lions also escape into settled areas and kill people and livestock. The
compensation for the loss by the government is usually slow and inadequate. This makes people
resent the presence of wild animals in their vicinity thus killing them whenever they are spotted.
8. Human activities – due to increase in human population, people have encroached into game
parks and reserves for land for farming and settlement. Where grazing is permitted in the game

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 reserves, pastoralists compete with wild animals for pasture. Sewage and litter disposal from
lodges and tented camps in the parks into rivers poison the aquatic organisms.
Management and conservation of wildlife in East Africa
Management – this is the effective planning and control of wild as natural resource to ensure its
continued sustenance for present and future use. The government has taken the following measures to
manage the wildlife.
1. Formation of wildlife management bodies – the government has established organizations
which are responsible for managing and conserving the wildlife. These include, KWS in Kenya,
Uganda Wildlife Authority and Tanzania National Park Authority.
2. Training and research – the government through its agencies train personnel in colleges in
research and wildlife management and conservation. KWS has a research team which collects
information on various methods of conserving wildlife.
3. Creating awareness – education centres have been set up in major game parks to educate the
public and foreign visitors on the importance of the wildlife. Wildlife authorities have also
established wildlife clubs in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
4. Translocation – this is the movement of animals from one area to another area with similar
ecological characteristics. The aim is to reduce pressure of species if they exceed the carrying
capacity of an area.
5. Culling – this is the exercise of killing wild animals. It is meant to reduce numbers and give room
for younger ones because, if their number is not checked, it would exceed the carrying capacity.
Conservation – refers to protection of flora and fauna against the interference and destruction by people.
The following are some of the wildlife conservation method that have been put forward by the
government;
1. Establishment of game reserves, national parks and sanctuaries – land has been set aside for
the establishment of parks, reserves and sanctuaries. In these areas, wildlife is protected against
destruction by people.
2. Ban on game hunting – a ban on hunting of wild animals has been imposed. A worldwide ban
on the trade in wild game has been imposed. The ban allows custom officials to seize wildlife
souvenirs unless export permits have been granted. People are also encouraged to use the bones
of common animals like cattle to make items they used to make from ivory.
3. Establishment of game ranches – game ranches have been established to exploit wildlife for
meat and other products while at the same time conserving it.
4. Creating anti-poaching units – most governments have set up anti-poaching units which have
well trained paramilitary personnel. They have the responsibility of tracking down and arresting
poachers.
5. Protection of endangered species – some areas have been set aside to protect the endangered
species. These areas are fenced off and animals looked after. In case of sickness, the animals are
treated by trained vertinary personnel.
6. Non-governmental agencies/ organizations – several NGOs and government agencies are
involved in conservation of wildlife. Such organizations include, World Wildlife Fund (WWF),
National Save the Rhino Project e.t.c.
Tourism
This is an economic activity where people travel to visit places within their country or other countries for
leisure, recreation, business trip or attend conferences. A tourist is a person who travels from home to
another place for pleasure.
Types of tourism
i. Domestic tourism – is a type of tourism whereby the local people visit places of interest within
their country for pleasure and recreational purposes.
Ways through which the government encourages domestic tourism
1. School parties pay much less or are allowed free entry to the parks to enable the students to
learn more about wildlife.

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 2. During the off peak period, hotel charges are lowered for people who want to stay in the
tourist hotels.
3. The government advertise the sceneries and game parks and reserves in the media e.g. TVs
and bill boards.
4. They organize package tours to transport the tourists within the parks. The package tours are
cheaper than private means hence attract many tourists.
ii. International tourism – this involves the movement of tourists (people) from one country to
another country(s) of the world for leisure or recreational activities.
iii. Eco-tourism - is an environmentally friendly form of tourism whereby tourists enjoy watching
what the nature has provided and at the same time conserves and protects what the nature has
provided.
It is the practice of involving the community living around the tourists’ attractions in the
management and conservation of the tourist attraction sites and the surrounding environment.
Ways through which the government encourages eco-tourism
1. Sharing the benefits accrued from tourists with the local people in the neighborhood i.e. building
schools, health centres and roads.
2. Compensation whenever the wild animals injure or kill people and livestock or destroy farms.
3. Tour guides lead tourists to drive along marked trails to avoid destruction of vegetation and
scaring animals. Telescopic viewing of animals is encouraged to avoid moving very close to
animals.
4. Use of camping sites instead of building large lodgings.
5. Discouraging mass tourism and only allowing a small group because a large group surrounding
the animal scare them.
6. There are warning at the entry of the parks e.g. not to give the animals food, no smocking, not to
litter e.t.c.
7. Education centres have been set up in major game parks to educate people/ the public and foreign
visitors on the importance of the wildlife.
8. Wildlife authorities have also established wildlife clubs in primary, secondary and tertiary
institutions
Factors influencing tourism in Kenya
1. Climate – Kenya is located within the tropics. The temperatures range from moderate to high
making the general climate to be warm and sunny and therefore pleasant throughout the year.
This is a major attraction especially for tourists from temperate regions.
2. Publicity – the government through the Ministry of Tourism and Information make vigorous
information and publicity campaigns abroad to create awareness on the tourist attractions sites in
Kenya. This is done through the mass media, seminars and advertisement in foreign markets and
trade fairs.
3. Training personnel in tourism – Kenya has a number of training institutions that provide
professional training in all aspects of the tourism industry. For example, the Utalii College in
Nairobi.
4. Political stability (relative peace) – Kenya has enjoyed political stability and peace since
independence. This has ensured security thus encouraging tourists to come to Kenya.
5. Presence of a variety of tourist attraction – Kenya has a variety of features that make different
types of tourists to visit Kenya. These include, game parks, historical sites, museums e.t.c.
6. General scenery – Kenya has a variety of scenery such as snowcapped top of Mount Kenya,
beautiful lakes e.g. Lake Nakuru due to flamingoes, Lake Bogoria due to hot springs, sandy
beaches and breath taking views of the Great Rift Valley. These attract tourists.
7. Wildlife – Kenya has the wildlife found in their natural settings. This attract tourists particularly
from Europe and America who have never seen the wild animals roaming and grazing freely in
the wilderness.

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 8. Governments’ support – the government has a full ministry in charge of tourism. There are also
other bodies such as the Kenya Tourist Development Corporation and the Kenya Tourism board
charged with the responsibility of marketing Kenya as a tourist destination.
9. Research programs – there is continued research by the scientists on diseases that threaten to
destroy wildlife. This is done by the KWS and forestry department. KWS also provides vertinary
services to sick animals.
10. Traditional culture – Kenya has over 42 ethnic groups each having its distinct culture. The
country, therefore, has a wealth of African traditional cultures among the different communities.
The people are also hospitable and like entertaining visitors.
11. Good hotels and accommodation – there are numerous high class international hotels, lodges
and colleges in major towns, cities, national parks and game reserves for comfortable
accommodation and good meals.
12. Good transport and communication network – many tourist sites and potential areas are
accessible by roads and in some cases by air or water. Communication lines like telephone
facilities and wireless communication systems are available throughout the country.
Tourist attractions in Kenya
Kenya has a diversity of tourist attractions. These include;
1. Wildlife – this is the main attraction to tourists in Kenya. The country has a rich flora and fauna
like tropical rain forests, savanna grass lands, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes.
2. Beautiful sceneries – Kenya has a variety of scenery from the coast ton the mountains in the
interior. The snowcapped Mount Kenya, the Rift Valley, the highlands and the associated features
all attract tourists.
3. Excellent beaches – the sandy beaches along the coasts in Mombasa, Kwle, Kilifi and Malindi
are an inspiration to tourists who visit Kenya to enjoy their holiday. The sunny sandy beaches
form excellent grounds for swimming, sunbathing and beach sports.
4. Historic and pre-historic sites – pre-historic sites in which materials of historical interests have
been preserved hold great appeal to the tourists. These include, Orlorgessaile, Kariandusi, Fort
Jesus e.t.c.
5. Warm sunny climate – Kenya being in the tropical world experiences a warm weather all the
year round. This kind of climate attracts tourists mainly from central and northern Europe who
escape the extreme climatic conditions of their countries especially during winter.
6. Culture and tradition – Kenya is richly endowed with a wide variety of tradition and culture.
This include various dances, mode of dressing and handicraft. The Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi is
a popular tourist spot due to its varied cultural dances performed there.
Significance of tourism
1. Earns foreign exchange – tourism earns the country foreign exchange. The international tourists
pay for most of the services in foreign currency.
2. Creates employment – the industry employs many people both directly and indirectly. Some are
employed directly as tourist operators, guides, drivers and park attendants while some are
employed indirectly in manufacturing and agricultural sectors. The employment raises the living
standards of the employees.
3. Promotes agriculture – tourism enhances agricultural development as the tourist hotels rely on
the local farmers for the supply of foods to the hotels.
4. Source of revenue – the government earns revenue through the fees collected at the entrance to
the parks and reserves, licenses, fees charged on hotels, tour operators and guides.
5. Improvement of transport and communication network – many tourist sites and potential
areas are linked by good roads and in some cases by air or water. Communication lines like
telephone facilities and wireless communication systems are available throughout the country.
6. Development of social amenities - tourism helps to improve social amenities in the country as
roads and water are provided in different parts leading to the tourist sites. Communities living
near game parks are also assisted through building of schools and health centres.

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7. Expansion of training institutions – more institutions training personnel in hotel, catering and
management and tour operators have been set up since more skilled labours is needed in the
expanding tourism industry.
8. Promotes international relations – tourism brings together people from different countries/races
hence international understanding among people is created. It also promotes good political
relations, peace, trade and cultural exchange.
9. Promotion of crafts industry – tourists purchase couriors e.g. sisal bags, wood and stone
carvings. This boosts crafts industry which improves peoples’ living standards.
10. Conservation of wildlife and protection of historical sites
Problems facing tourism in Kenya
1. Insecurity in the parks – in the recent past, tourists have been attacked and their property stolen
from them in the parks. This scares the tourists who fear visiting such parts of the country.
2. Poaching – this is the illegal hunting of wild animals. It threatens the existence of the wild
animals which may eventually lead to their extinction. This will lead to decrease in the number of
tourists who visit the country to view such animals.
3. Terrorist attacks – Kenya has in the recent past suffered from terrorist attacks. Such attacks
scare away tourists who fear that our country may be hit again. For example, the 1997 attack of
the American Embassy in Nairobi.
4. Adverse publicity abroad – the international media sometimes blow out of proportion the
security situation in Kenya and paint it negatively to give the impression that there is no peace in
the country. This is because little is known about Kenya.
5. High tariffs – high taxes charged on tourists discourages many tourists from visiting Kenya. This
makes some tourists to visit other countries/ places in Africa with similar tourists’ attraction. The
high charges also make the tourists to spend fewer days than they wished.
6. Pollution in the parks – there is an increase in pollution in tourist sites as a result of littering.
This renders the sites ugly and unsafe. Sometimes toxic industrial effluents is released into rivers
and lakes leading to destruction of aquatic plants and animal species which are tourist attraction.
7. High population growth – Kenya’s population has been increasing progressively hence there is
increasing demand for land for settlement and agriculture. People have encroached on land that
has been reserved for wildlife thus reducing the land under wildlife.
8. Attitude of Kenyans – most Kenyans see tourism as belonging to international travelers.
Therefore, many stay away from major tourist sites like beaches, historical sites e.t.c. domestic
tourists are also discriminated upon in hotels in favor of foreigners. This discourages the locals
from visiting these places.
Problems associated with tourism
1. Encourages poaching – some tourists come with an intention of buying the game products.
Since they have a ready market, poachers kill the animals to meet their demand.
2. Drug trafficking – some of the tourists traffic drugs and encourage youths to use and abuse
drugs. Some have established export basis to some established destinations.
3. Increase in crime – the presence of the tourists in the country attracts criminals especially the
thieves who robe the tourists off their valuables.
4. Aping (copying) of foreign culture – many Kenyans believe that any behavior exhibited by the
tourists is good. They, therefore, end up copying the mannerism and lifestyles of the tourists at
the detriment of our own culture.
5. School drop outs – some school children are enticed to leave school to show the tourists around.
Young girls are also enticed with money to become friends to the adult males who cheat them to
leave school.
6. Spread of diseases – some tourists engage in immoral activities which encourage the spread of of
diseases like HIV/AIDS and STDs.
7. Overemphasis on tourism – the government may focus on developing tourism at the expense of
other sectors of economy by spending heavily on activities aimed at attracting more tourists. This
can lead to economic problems, especially if the targeted number of tourists is not realized.

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 8. Shortage of hotel accommodation – during the peak seasons when the hotels and lodges are
fully booked, there is a shortage in accommodation facilities. Prices for the services go up which
discourages domestic tourism.
The future of tourism in Kenya
The future of the tourism industry in Kenya will be determined by the measures that will be put in place
to sustain its growth. Some of the measures are;
a. Strength of Kenya’s shilling - The exchange rate of Kenya’s shilling against the major world
currencies such as the dollar, sterling pound, euros or yen has a bearing on the number of visitors
who visit Kenya. It is hoped that if Kenya’s shilling depreciates, it would attract tourists into the
country who will find it cheaper to visit Kenya.
b. Improved security – the government and other stake holders in the industry are making efforts
to improve security in the tourist attraction sites.
c. Aggressive promotion (marketing) – the ministry of tourism through the Kenya tourism
board in collaboration with the stake holders in the industry mount exhibition abroad to promote
Kenya as a tourism destination.
d. Lowering tariffs – some tourists find the charges to the hotels, game parks and airport taxes
higher and expensive. Efforts should be made to lower the tariffs particularly those levied on food
and accommodation in the tourist hotels so as to encourage more tourists to visit Kenya.

Tourism in Switzerland
Switzerland is a land-locked country in Central Europe that lies astride the Alps. 60% of the country is
mountainous and source of major rivers in Europe such as the Rhine, the Rhone and the Danube.
Tourist attractions in Switzerland
Major tourist attractions in Switzerland are;
1. Beautiful scenery – the country has fascinating scenery which is offered by;
 Magnificent mountainous scenery of Alps.
 Cascading waterfalls and blue lakes.
 The presence of the medicinal spas.
2. Double climate – Switzerland has a double climatic seasons, i.e. summer and winter, which
attracts tourists.
3. Zoos – the Switzerland’s wild animals have been tamed and placed in zoos. Many tourists visit
Switzerland to view the variety of animals in zoos.
4. Rich culture – the Swiss people have a rich and varied culture which have been preserved over a
long period of time.
5. Excellent tourist resorts – the country has got numerous beautiful tourist resorts which include
the Alpine winter resorts of St Moriz, Kandersteg e.t.c.
Factors contributing to tourism in Switzerland
1. The main tourist attractions in Switzerland are the beautiful sceneries produced by the Alps. The
peaks and slopes of the Alps have undergone erosion by glacier producing magnificent scenery.
2. Well-developed internal network of roads and railways which enable tourists to travel to centres
of attraction.
3. Switzerland has maintained a policy of neutrality and has managed to avoid being involved in
conflicts. The country has enjoyed relative peace and political stability.
4. Several major languages of Europe are spoken in Switzerland making it easier for foreign tourists
to get excellent services in the country.
5. There are over 4000 banks found in different parts of the country offering banking services to the
tourists.
6. Switzerland is located in the central Europe making it accessible to tourists from France,
Germany, Italy, Australia, Spain and Belgium.
7. Switzerland is a headquarter to a number of international organizations such as ILO, the Red
Cross and the UN.

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8. It has numerous hotels of international standards that offer excellent accommodation facilities to
visitors.
Comparison between tourism in Kenya and Switzerland
Similarities
1. In both countries, beautiful sceneries are a major tourist attraction. These consist of sceneries
such as glaciated mountains.
2. Both the countries have rich and varied cultures which have been preserved over the years.
3. The two countries have enjoyed relative peace and political stability which has enhanced tourism.
4. Both Kenya and Switzerland have a population that is hospitable to tourists.
5. In both countries, resorts are well developed.
6. In both countries, tourism is a major foreign exchange earner.
7. There are domestic and international tourists in both countries.
8. In both countries, package tours are encouraged and comprise a large number of tourists.
9. Accommodation in both countries have been developed to international standards.
Differences
1. In Kenya there is a single climate which attracts tourists while in Switzerland has double climate
i.e. summer and winter.
2. The wildlife in Kenya is found in their natural habitats, national parks and game reserves while in
Switzerland, the animals are tamed in zoos.
3. The Swiss speak in a variety of international languages while majority of Kenyans speak in a
single international language, English.
4. In Switzerland, tourism is promoted by well-developed transport network e.g. electrical railways
and canals. In Kenya, tourism is hampered by poor transport network and infrastructure.
5. Kenya boasts of a landscape with a variety of physical features such as the Rift Valley, lakes,
mountains and planes while the main physical feature in Switzerland is the Alps.
6. Kenya has a sea front where water sports such as yatching, water and wind surfing are practiced
while Switzerland is landlocked and, therefore, has no access to beaches and its associated sports.

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