This Paper examines the current phenomenon of rapidly increasing ecotourism in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, especially regarding ecotourism’s impacts on the people of the region. The discussion takes place within the context of globalization as tourism is a tangible manifestation of increasing global interconnectedness. Within this context, ecotourism can be characterized as a force actively promulgating Western environmental ideologies around the globe. The paper argues that these environmental ideologies, which originate within the world’s most technologically developed nations, may not be appropriate for a region of the world largely inhabited by subsistence farmers. The crux of the matter then becomes, how to realize ecotourism’s promise of development while minimizing its ideological intrusiveness. The paper concludes by suggesting an approach for tourism and development which is more appropriate for the circumstances of Sub-Saharan Africa.