For over a century, Kenya’s sandy beaches, breathtaking natural scenery and diverse wildlife have attracted tourists to the continent. But the presence of visitors, with their accompanying transportation needs and sometimes anti-social behaviors (such as littering), began having a negative impact on tourist attractions.

This, combined with poaching, smuggling, and locals’ hearty appetite for “bush meat,” led to the decline of Kenya’s signature wildlife.

Luckily, by the late 1990s the ‘gospel’ of eco-tourism had arrived in Kenya. Since then the country has experienced a general shift towards more aggressive measures in environmental conservation, and adopted practices that emphasize low-impact activities that leave attractions in their virgin state.

Read more about the rise of eco-tourism in Kenya on AFKTravel.com.