You Will Pay More To Enter Kenya's National Parks From This Week: KWS
The regulations, endorsed by Parliament on September 25, are designed to boost conservation funding, enhance visitor experiences, and ensure Kenya’s parks remain competitive on the global stage.
Marvin Chege 
Beginning Wednesday, October 1, new conservation fees will apply for accessing Kenya’s national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries.
According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the revised charges were approved following the publication of the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access, Entry and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations 2025, under Legal Notice No. 160 of 2025.
The regulations, endorsed by Parliament on September 25, are designed to boost conservation funding, enhance visitor experiences, and ensure Kenya’s parks remain competitive on the global stage.
Zebras at Lake Nakuru National Park. /ARCADIA SAFARIS
"The Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access, Entry and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations 2025 (Legal Notice No. 160 of 2025), governing entry and access to Kenya's National Parks, Reserves, and Sanctuaries, will officially come into effect on Wednesday, 1st October 2025," a statement from KWS said.
KWS stated that Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano fully supported the new tariffs, emphasizing her ministry’s commitment to ensuring their rollout is smooth and transparent.
KWS Director General Erustus Kanga further assured visitors that any payments already made via the eCitizen platform before the fee revision would remain valid.
"KWS will honour all eCitizen payments made before this announcement, and the revised fees will therefore apply only to new bookings made for 1st October onwards," Kanga stated.
The newly revised fee structure marks the first comprehensive review in 18 years, introduced in response to rising conservation and park management costs.
Under the changes, park entry rates will now depend on the season, with July to March classified as high season and April to June as low season. Charges will also differ for Kenyan citizens, residents, and international visitors.
Amboseli & Lake Nakuru National Parks: Residents/East African Community (EAC) nationals will now pay Ksh1,500, up from Ksh860.
Tsavo East & Tsavo West: Rates have increased to Ksh1,000 from Ksh515.
Nairobi National Park: Kenyan citizens will pay Ksh1,000 in high season and Ksh600 in low season. Non-residents will be charged Ksh7,500 in high season and Ksh5,000 in low season.
Meru, Kora & Aberdare National Parks: Citizens will pay Ksh800, while non-residents will be charged Ksh5,169 in low season and Ksh9,046 in high season.
Hell’s Gate, Mt. Longonot & Lake Elementaita: Citizens will pay Ksh500. Non-resident fees are Ksh2,584 in low season and Ksh6,461 in high season.
Children (5–17 years): A new age-based pricing system has been introduced across all parks.
Annual Park Passes: Adult passes are now Ksh45,000, while children’s passes cost Ksh10,400. A family package (two adults and up to five children) is Ksh130,000. Tour drivers will be charged Ksh6,000.
The policy also introduces free entry for senior citizens aged 70 and above, as well as persons with disabilities.
Additional Fee Updates: Discounts are available for educational groups, conferences, and professional delegations. New charges have also been introduced for water sports, vehicles, motorcycles, boats, aircraft, helicopters, and drones.
Key Park Entry Fees (Per Adult)
A past wildebeest migration at Maasai Mara National Reserve. /MAASAI MARA
