In the Dust of Kilimanjaro

by David Western

"Kilimanjaro slowly takes shape as the night sounds die, its glaciated peak tinged pink in the early light. A solitary wildebeest stares motionless as if mesmerized by the towering mass; a small caravan of giraffe drifts across the plain in solitary file, necks undulating to the slow rhythm of their gangling stride. There is an inexplicable deja vu about the African savannas, as if some subliminal memory is tweaked by the birthplace of our hominid lineage." --from In the Dust of Kilimanjaro In the Dust of Kilimanjaro is the extraordinary story of one man's struggle to protect Kenya's wildlife. World-renowned conservationist David Western -- who grew up in Africa and whose life is intertwined with the lives of its animals and indigenous peoples -- presents a history of African wildlife conservation and an intimate glimpse into his life as a global spokesperson and one of Kenya's most prominent citizens. Beginning with his childhood adventures hunting in rural Tanganyika (now Tanzania), Western describes how and why the African continent came to hold such power over him. In lyrical prose, he recounts the years of solitary fieldwork in and around Amboseli National Park that led to his gradual awakening to what was happening to the animals and people there. His immersion in the culture and ecology of the region made him realize that without an integrated approach to conservation, one that involved people as well as animals, Kenya's most magnificent creatures would be lost forever. His accounts of his friendships with the Maasai add a personal dimension to the book that gives the reader new appreciation for the centuries-old links between Africa's wildlife and people. Continued coexistence rather than segregation, he argues, offers the best hope for the world's wildlife. Western describes how his unique understanding of the potentially devastating problems in the region helped him pioneer a new approach to global wildlife conservation that balances the needs of people and wildlife without excluding one or the other. More than an exceptional autobiography, In the Dust of Kilimanjaro is a riveting look at local and global efforts to preserve species and protect ecosystems. It is the definitive story of wildlife conservation in Africa with a strong and timely message about co-existence between humans and animals.

Genres: Africa, Nonfiction, Nature, Memoir, History, Politics, Conservation

312 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[Sandra Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

So important.

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it - a good amount of repetition and would have been nice to have a little glossary and a timeline at the back of the book- but I had never read anything focused on ecology and conservation before and really liked hearing about it from a personal and autobiographical angle.

[Mark McQueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful read about modern day conservatism.


I started reading this book to prepare for a once in a lifetime vacation on safari in Africa. The focus of the book is saving African wildlife and it focuses on the Kenyan National Park Amboseli. While the book provided great insight to Amboseli and how far the park has come in being restored from the periods of mismanagement to the testament to modern conversations it is today, the book also provided great insight to Amboseli National Park. That said, and more importantly, the book provides great insight to a conservation success story. The realization that when ecosystems are being discussed, the discussion needs to include humans was eye opening. It was fascinating to learn the role the Maasai people play in a sustainable healthy ecosystem on the savannahs of Africa. The book was more than brought to life by own personal experiences, but I learned so much more than how Amboseli became a national park, I learned why it is so critical that it did. My travels in Africa left me appreciating the people of Africa that have come so far in preserving the continents wildlife. Of course there is still much to be done, and the story leaves me wondering about possibilities to see Safari's and massive herds of animals right here in North America.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written and entertaining look at a microcosm of conservation history in Kenya: Amboseli. Western's approach to conservation and science - integrating the participation and knowledge of local peoples - is what I aspire to. The book was refreshingly optimistic while still honestly engaging with the myriad challenges conservation in Africa faces.

As a book, it was a bit slow to start and the diversion to talking about elephant poaching and the ivory ban in the last third of the book seemed out of place. But overall the book was very interesting, informative, and heartening.

I'd definitely recommend this to anyone interested in conservation, ecology, or East Africa.

[Hung · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true gem about conservation book. A food for thought on conservation matters, people - wildlife conflict and relationship.
And it also present a good timeline on development of conservation understanding. And ironically to me, the ivory game is still like that day, little progresses has been achieved.
Lastly, a good lesson about community engagement and how to fight a good fight.

[Amit Kurien · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine book and memoir by one of the most far-sighted thinkers on the subject of wildlife conservation!

[Philip Stouffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of the author's life in conservation

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must for anybody interested in conservation, especially in East Africa. Mr Western is a little too fond of the pastoralists.

Pastoralists are now seriously overgrazing all of their range and are doing irreversible damage to much of it. I admire Mr Western for trying to address this situation. I would like him to recognise that the situation is spiralling out of control and in the end strict law enforcement and enforced controls of stock numbers may be the only solution.

It is all very well, and vital, to encourage communities to participate in managing wildlife and wilderness in there domain, however my experience has led me to believe that while communities must benefit from their wildlife resource, they are often not the best custodians of it. Central governments must help to mange the utilization of natural resources in an inclusive process. Revenues must be shared.

[Patricia Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a finely narrated first person account of a life devoted to conservation of land and wildlife in East Africa. I'm especially impressed by Western's use of narration and description, skills more suited to a fiction writer than a scientist. His activism becomes more meaningful because the scenes are fully realized. I appreciate the opportunity to spend even a brief amount of time studying this complex history of culture and biology. "the Swahili word for animals, wanyama, means meat."

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, I'm really enjoying this book.