Photo by @petekmuller/@prime_collective for @natgeo. A group of porters gather around a #fire in the #moorland region of Mount #Kenya. Many of the porters pictured here hail from the small, nearby village of #Naromuru. In conjunction with other pursuits, the men of Naromuru have worked as guides and porters on Mount Kenya for generations. With employment opportunities limited in the region, working with tourists and expeditions provides access to relatively steady income. A recent decline in #tourism to Kenya has strained the livelihoods of many of those who depend on the industry. During our many fireside conversations, porters expressed a dire hope that tourism soon returns to its previous levels. I hope so, too. I’ve lived in Kenya for the last three years and have never been more in awe of a country’s bountiful beauty and diversity. With relative ease, one can bounce from savannas teeming with game, to pristine tropical beaches to extraordinary rivers rushing through mountain valleys. It’s a marvelous place, indeed. #Africa #beauty #mountains #adventure #hiking #climbing #outdoors #economy by natgeo http://ift.tt/1HpRjbo – Gatlinburg Garden Castle Rainbow Tower Library Imagination Station Temple Water Spirit Guardian Labyrinth Treasury Magic Healing