Overview
In Kenya, conservation is a cornerstone of the economy.
Kenya is a country of diverse, rich habitat. The humid broadleaf forests along the coast of the Indian Ocean give way to lush grasslands and savannas. The Kenya Lake System of the geologically dramatic Great Rift Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And, Mount Kenya — the nation’s namesake — is the second-tallest mountain on the continent.
A burgeoning service industry continues to grow in Kenya, and ecotourism plays a big part in East Africa’s strongest economy. Visitors flock to the country to see Africa’s “Big Five.” But, lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo are just a handful of the treasured species in this nation. Baboons, zebras, giraffes, flamingoes, and more are enjoyed by tourists, thanks to a strong national park system and a network of community conservancies.
Beyond the service sector, agriculture, forestry, and fishing account for over a quarter of Kenya’s gross domestic product. Raising livestock is popular in the savannas, and the country’s primary crop exports are coffee and tea. But, even with such fertile lands, overpopulation and a lack of infrastructure contribute to frequent food insecurity in Kenya.