Camping is a great way to experience Kenya’s natural wonders. The government runs soThere are public campgrounds located within the National Parks, and private campgrounds located just outside the National Parks. This guide will provide detailed information on each of these locations including GPS coordinates, prices, and amenities.
There is limited information about campsites in Kenya and there have been trials to develop a mobile-based campsite location tool but none have succeeded. As part of our offering at Kambu Campers, we decided to create a list list of all the campgrounds in Kenya on Google Maps and make it available for our readers.
Our database of over 200 campsites in Kenya makes finding the perfect stops for your trip easy. We’re always adding new sites and updating information about roads, prices, and amenities. Reach out to us if you know of others we should add!
What is a campsite?
A campsite is a designated area within a park or on private land for people to pitch a tent, park a campervan/motorhome, or camp in their car. Commercial private campsites that you pay to camp usually have amenities such as fire pits and picnic tables, as well as access to restrooms and showers.
Just a reminder– campsites aren’t glamping sites! Glamping is a hybrid of camping and luxury living, where you can access the same amenities as a hotel but in an outdoor setting. Campsites, on the other hand, typically offer basic amenities such as toilets, shower facilities, and fire pits. If you’re interested to learn about glamping in Kenya, read this piece.
Types of Campsites in Kenya
Campsites can be run by Kenya Wildlife Service, conservancies, or private organizations.
Public campgrounds are located within the National Parks and Reserves. Most of them have basic amenities such as showers and toilets. If you are a Kenyan citizen or a resident, the fee to access these public campgrounds to pitch your own tent is $2. If you are using our campervan or using your own motorhome/RV, you can still pay $2 as a citizen. Non-residents pay $20 per day.
Both give you access to breathtaking scenery and wildlife.
Public:
- Low cost
- No advance booking required
- More amenities
- Less privacy
Private:
- Requires advance booking (and booking fee)
- Fewer amenities
- More privacy
There are a few conservancies in Kenya that manage their own campsites within the borders of National Parks and Reserves. The fees for these are slightly higher than KWS public campgrounds and you can pre-book online.
Pros:
- Slightly higher priced than KWS Campsites, so more comfortable amenities
- Pre-booking/reservation system available
Cons:
- Can be expensive for budget travelers. For example, to access Mara Triangle Campsites, you pay 1000 shillings as a citizen while non-residents pay as high as $30
Private campgrounds are typically located just outside the boundaries of the National Parks and in different conservancies.
They tend to offer more luxurious amenities such as electricity, hot showers, and swimming pools. The prices are also higher than public campgrounds and can range from $50 -$200 per night.
Pros:
- Access to luxury amenities
- Pre-booking available
Cons:
- Can be expensive
- Often located far away from the main tourist attractions.