Aspects of tourism in Kenya

Abstract

Tourism in Kenya dates back to the colonial era. Tourists have invented a map of Kenya that comprises mainly the Rift Valley and the Indian Ocean coast; and they divide the population into ‘noble’ pastoralists and less noble agriculturalists and urban dwellers. Tourists came originally to see and kill wild animals; most were members of ‘big game safaris’ organised by ‘White Hunters’, reportedly often the sexual targets of women tourists. Shooting is now prohibited, but tourists shoot with cameras: they now come to see both animals and ‘exotic’ Africans. Sexual relations with local inhabitants are often part of ‘capturing’ them.