The Shadow of Kilimanjaro by Rick Ridgeway

Purchase the Book

The Shadow of Kilimanjaro is a fascinating book about a 250mi/400km walk from the summit of Kilimanjaro all the way to the Kenyan coast. The walking team included a variety of interesting people including the book’s author, Rick Ridgeway. Most of this epic journey traveled through remote national parks and protected areas putting the team face to face with all kinds of wildlife from lions, hippos, and crocodiles to the less intimidating ungulates and birds. They also saw elephants – lots and lots of elephants.

Though, the book is not really about the journey from Kilimanjaro to the coast. In fact, Ridgeway barely mentions Kilimanjaro and tells only a few stories about the walk itself. Instead the book takes the reader on a journey through the history of the region from the beginning of the colonial period through to 1998 when the book was published. The primary focus of the book is the history of conservation and attitudes towards nature in East Africa – especially attitudes about hunting, poaching and wildlife management. From the mass hunting expeditions of early tourists such as Theodore Roosevelt through to the founding of the Kenyan National Parks system and the ban on hunting commercial and subsistence, the book will keep you intrigued and curious to learn more.

The expansive plains of East Africa

Perhaps the best aspect of this book is the people. Personal stories about early explorers through to modern game wardens inspire the adventurous spirit and illustrate how the actions of a few passionate individuals can make a big difference. If it weren’t for the actions of the people chronicled in this book, the wild lands and wild animals of East Africa would certainly be less plentiful than they are today.

Left: Walking across the plains is no easy feat, especially in lion territory;

Right: Waliangulu bow hunters are featured in the books. Their bows were forceful enough to take down an elephant with one arrow.

While you may not be planning an African adventure through the Tsavo of Kenya, this book will shed light on the conservation history of East Africa and the complexities therein. I highly recommend this book to anyone with interest in conservation, hunting, anthropology or natural history, especially if you have interest in traveling to East Africa.

Join us for an African Adventure of your own!

Visit our Wildlife Safari homepage and Kilimanjaro homepage.