New KWS Park Entry Fees 2026

After nearly two decades without a full review, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) published a comprehensive new fee structure under The Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations, 2025, gazetted in late September 2025. The new framework, which officially took effect on October 1, 2025, replaces rates that had largely remained unchanged since 2007.

The 2025 tariff introduces a modernized, four-tier system distinguishing East African Citizens, Kenya Residents, African Citizens (non-EAC), and Non-Residents, and groups parks into simplified categories — Premium, Urban, Wilderness, Mountain, Scenic, Special-Interest, and Marine — for more transparent pricing.

Overall, the update represents a significant upward revision:

  • Premium parks such as Amboseli and Lake Nakuru now charge KES 1,500 for East African adults (up from KES 860) and USD 90 for non-residents (up from USD 60).
  • Urban and wilderness parks like Nairobi and Tsavo saw similar increases, with rates roughly doubling for residents and rising 60–100% for non-residents.
  • Scenic and regional parks such as Hell’s Gate, Mount Elgon, and Ruma also rose moderately but remain accessible for domestic visitors.
  • Children’s rates remain half of adult prices, while camping and activity fees were streamlined and indexed for inflation.

New KWS Park Fees: October 2025 Update

However, on October 2, 2025, the High Court in Nairobi issued a temporary injunction halting enforcement of the new fees following a petition by the Kenya Tourism Federation, which argued that the changes were implemented without adequate notice and could disrupt pre-booked safari packages. The case is scheduled for determination on November 25, 2025.

As of today, KWSPay—the eCitizen subdomain used to pay KWS park entry fees—still displays and charges the new 2025 rates and has not reverted to the previous 2023/24 schedule while the Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) court case awaits determination in November 2025.

Which KWS Entry Fees to Pay: New or Old Rates?

Kambu Campers sought clarification from KWS on which tariff applies during the injunction. KWS advised that visitors should continue to pay the new rates on eCitizen/KWSPay. If the court quashes the new fees in the expected November ruling, guests who paid the new rates may request refunds by emailing customerservice@kws.go.ke with a copy of their payment receipt.

Because all KWS entry fees are paid online (no alternative payment method at gates), Kambu Campers advises guests traveling now to proceed with payment on KWSPay, keep their digital receipts, and—if the ruling changes the payable amount—apply for a refund using the guidance above. We’re happy to assist guests with documentation should refunds become necessary.

Key Changes in the 2025 KWS Park Entry Fee Structure

  • New Park Classification:
    • Parks reorganized into seven clear categories — Premium, Urban, Wilderness A, Wilderness B, Mountain, Scenic & Adventure, and Special-Interest/Marine — replacing the old “A–C” system.
    • Each category now reflects a park’s tourism demand, ecological value, and infrastructure costs.
  • Revised Visitor Categories:
    • Four-tier system: East African Citizens, Kenya Residents, African Citizens (non-EAC), and Non-Residents.
    • Aligns with regional frameworks (e.g., Tanzania, Uganda) and supports intra-African tourism growth.
  • Standardized 24-Hour Access:
    • All entry fees now apply per 24-hour visit window rather than calendar day, ensuring consistency across parks.
  • Updated Payment System:
    • All payments processed exclusively through KWSPay (eCitizen); no cash or on-site transactions allowed.
  • Harmonized Activity & Camping Fees:
    • Streamlined charges for camping, night drives, cycling, boating, walking safaris, and photo sessions, with modest inflation adjustments.
  • Annual Pass Overhaul:
    • Simplified and rounded pricing: KES 45,000 (adult), KES 130,000 (family), KES 120,000 (corporate), KES 10,500 (marine).
  • Formalized Exemptions:
    • Free entry for children under 5, senior citizens (70+), persons with disabilities, and registered tour drivers/guides.
  • Policy Objective:
    • Strengthens conservation financing, ensures transparent pricing, and keeps Kenya’s protected areas regionally competitive while maintaining affordable access for domestic visitors.

New KWS Park Entry Fees

Let’s now now into Park and Reserve Entry Fees for various attraction destionations in Kenya:


🏔️ Entry Fee for Amboseli and Lake Nakuru National Parks [Premium Parks]

Amboseli National Park and Lake Nakuru National Park

CategoryAdult (KES/USD)Child (KES/USD)
EA Citizen1,500750
Kenya Resident2,0251,050
African Citizen50 USD25 USD
Non-Resident90 USD45 USD

Typical add-ons: Balloon surcharge USD 80 pp, Night drive KES 3,000/ USD 50, Camping (see section below).


🌆 Nairobi National Park Entry Fees

(Nairobi National Park)

CategoryAdult (KES/USD)Child (KES/USD)
EA Citizen1,000500
Kenya Resident1,350675
African Citizen40 USD20 USD
Non-Resident80 USD40 USD

Nairobi Park Package (NNP + Safari Walk + Animal Orphanage)
EA Citizen KES 1,300 / 700 • Resident KES 1,750 / 950 • African Citizen USD 55 / 20 • Non-Resident USD 105 / 55.


🐘 Tsavo East and Tsavo West New Entry Fees

(Tsavo East NP • Tsavo West NP)

CategoryAdult (KES/USD)Child (KES/USD)
EA Citizen1,000500
Kenya Resident1,350675
African Citizen40 USD20 USD
Non-Resident80 USD40 USD

Combination Package
Tsavo West + Amboseli → EA Citizen KES 2,200 / 1,100 • Resident KES 2,900 / 1,550 • African Citizen USD 80 / 45 • Non-Resident USD 150 / 80.
Tsavo East + Tsavo West + Amboseli → EA Citizen KES 3,000 / 1,500 • Resident KES 4,000 / 2,150 • African Citizen USD 115 / 60 • Non-Resident USD 215 / 115.


🐆 Meru NP, Kora NP and Aberdare NP Entry Fees 2025/2026

(Meru NP • Kora NP • Aberdare NP)

CategoryAdult (KES/USD)Child (KES/USD)
EA Citizen800500
Kenya Resident1,100675
African Citizen40 USD20 USD
Non-Resident70 USD40 USD

🏔️ Mount Kenya National Park New Entry Fees

(Mount Kenya National Park)

CategoryAdult (KES/USD)Child (KES/USD)
EA Citizen800400
Kenya Resident1,100550
African Citizen30 USD15 USD
Non-Resident70 USD35 USD

🌋 Entrance Fees for KWS SCENIC PARKS

(Hell’s Gate NP • Mount Longonot NP • Mount Elgon NP • Ol Donyo Sabuk NP • Lake Elementaita WS • Shimba Hills NR • Kakamega NR)

CategoryAdult (KES/USD)Child (KES/USD)
EA Citizen500250
Kenya Resident675350
African Citizen20 USD10 USD
Non-Resident50 USD25 USD

🏜️ Park Tickets Cost for KWS SPECIAL-INTEREST & REMOTE PARKS

(Mwea NR • Ruma NP • Saiwa Swamp NP • South Turkana NR • Sibiloi NP • Central Island NP • South Island NP • Ndere Island NP • Malka Mari NP • Chyullu Hills NP • Marsabit NP • Tana River Primate NR)

CategoryAdult (KES/USD)Child (KES/USD)
EA Citizen500250
Kenya Resident675350
African Citizen20 USD10 USD
Non-Resident40 USD20 USD

🐾 Nairobi Animal Orphanage, Nairobi Safari Walk and Kisumu Impala Sanctuary Entrance Cost

(Nairobi Animal Orphanage • Nairobi Safari Walk • Kisumu Impala Sanctuary)

CategoryAdult (KES/USD)Child (KES/USD)
EA Citizen300200
Kenya Resident405300
African Citizen15 USD10 USD
Non-Resident25 USD15 USD

Orphanage + Safari Walk Package
EA Citizen KES 500 / 300 • Resident KES 675 / 500 • African Citizen USD 25 / 15 • Non-Resident USD 40 / 20.


🌊 MARINE PARKS & RESERVES Tickets Cost

(Kisite Mpunguti • Watamu • Malindi • Mombasa • Kiunga • Diani-Chale)

CategoryAdult (KES/USD)Child (KES/USD)
EA Citizen500250
Kenya Resident675350
African Citizen15 USD10 USD
Non-Resident25 USD15 USD

⛺ New KWS Camping Fees (All Parks)

TypeEA Citizen (KES)Kenya Resident (KES)African Citizen (USD)Non-Resident (USD)
Special Campsite – Premium (Amboseli, L. Nakuru)500 Adult / 250 Child700 / 35025 / 1550 / 25
Special Campsite – Other Parks250 / 200350 / 25020 / 1035 / 20
Public Campsite – Premium250 / 200350 / 25015 / 1330 / 25
Public Campsite – Other Parks200 / 150300 / 20010 / 820 / 15
Special Campsite Reservation Fee (weekly, non-refundable)10,000 KES———

🚙 Vehicle & Aircraft Fees

CategoryDescriptionFee
Private Vehicles<6 seats KES 600 • 6–12 KES 1,500 • 13–24 KES 3,000 • 25–44 KES 4,500 • 45+ KES 5,000per day
Trucks1–3 tons KES 1,000 • 4–7 tons KES 2,250 • >7 tons KES 3,250per day
Aircraft Landing Fee (USD)≤1,500 kg 10 • 1,501–2,500 20 • 2,501–5,000 25 • 5,001–10,000 40 • 10,001–20,000 65 • 20,001–40,000 102per landing
Helicopter LandingSelect parks (Mt Kenya, Chyulu, Kisite etc.) USD 300per landing
Aircraft Parking≤10,000 kg USD 24 • 10,001–40,000 kg USD 40per day
DronesKES 5,000 (EA/Resident) • USD 300 (Non-Resident) + KCAA permitper day
Boats (Excursion)KES 500 per day • KES 10,500 monthly • KES 30,000 annual
Anchoring (3–6 m / 7–12 m / 12 m+)Monthly KES 5,000 / 7,000 / 12,000 • Annual KES 20,000 / 30,000 / 50,000
Vehicle Recovery inside parkKES 10,500per incident

🎟 Annual Passes to KWS Parks and Reserves

TypeFee (KES)
Adult Annual Pass45,000
Child Annual Pass10,400
Couple Annual Pass80,000
Family (2 Adults + ≤5 Children)130,000
Corporate Annual Pass120,000
Marine Annual Pass10,500

🧭 Cost of Activities & Experiences in Select KWS Parks and Reserves in Kenya

ActivityEA Citizen / Resident (KES)African Citizen / Non-Resident (USD)Notes
Night Game Drive (pp)3,00050Selected parks only
Walking Safari (pp/day)3,00050Tsavo E/W, Meru, Kora etc.
Lake Boating (pp/hour)1,50015Designated lakes only
Balloon Safari Surcharge (pp)—80 Adult / 40 ChildAmboseli, Mara corridors
Cycling (pp/day)30010HG, Longonot, Elementaita etc.
Horse Riding (private horse/day)1,50015HG, Longonot, Chyulu
Warden’s Lecture (per group)3,00030Prior booking
Photo Session (commercial)20,000300Separate entry ticket
Event Security (10 rangers/day)87,0001,000
Sport Fishing (per line)1,50015Non-marine waters
Security-Guided Tour (≤4h / >4h)2,000 / 4,000—Per group / ranger

📘 Ticket Discounts & Exemptions

CategoryDiscount / Exemption
Large Groups (MICE)100+ pax – 30% • 50–99 – 20% • 30–49 – 10% • 10–29 – 5% off entry fee
Children Under 5 yrsFree
Senior Citizens (70 + yrs)Free
Registered Persons with DisabilitiesFree
Registered Tour Drivers/Guides/Boat Crew/PortersExempt from entry fees
BMU Fishing Boats (Marine Areas)Exempt from boat anchoring fees

🦓 New KWS Park Entry Fees: 2025 vs 2024 Comparative AnalysisOverview

The October 2025 tariff represents the first comprehensive fee revision since 2022–2023, aligning with KWS’s broader cost-recovery and conservation-funding strategy. The 2025 structure simplifies park categories, removes legacy inconsistencies, and introduces tiered pricing across four visitor segments:
East African Citizens, Kenya Residents, African Citizens (non-EAC), and Non-Residents.

The main shift is a substantial increase for non-residents and Kenya residents, while East African citizens see moderate rises. Children continue at 50 % of adult rates, with exemptions for under-5s, seniors (70 + yrs), and persons with disabilities.


Comparative Summary by Park Category

Category2024 Fee (Adult)2025 Fee (Adult)% ChangeExpert Commentary
Premium Parks (Amboseli, Lake Nakuru)KES 860 (EA/Res) ≈ US$43 NRKES 1 500 (EA) / 2 025 (Res) / US$90 NR+74 % (EA) +136 % (Res) +110 % (NR)Doubling for non-residents aligns with Tanzania’s Serengeti/Ngorongoro benchmarks; KWS aims to capture higher foreign-tourist value.
Urban Park – Nairobi NPKES 430 (EA/Res) ≈ US$43 NRKES 1 000 (EA) / 1 350 (Res) / US$80 NR+133 % (EA) +214 % (Res) +86 % (NR)Largest proportional rise; reflects heavy infrastructure and management costs near the capital.
Wilderness A – Tsavo E/WKES 430 (EA/Res) ≈ US$43 NRKES 1 000 (EA) / 1 350 (Res) / US$80 NR+133 % (EA) +214 % (Res) +86 % (NR)Major uplift; harmonizes with Amboseli for tour packaging consistency.
Wilderness B – Meru, Kora, AberdareKES 215 (EA/Res) ≈ US$35 NRKES 800 (EA) / 1 100 (Res) / US$70 NR+272 % (EA) +412 % (Res) +100 % (NR)Brings under-priced parks closer to national average; may initially dampen domestic visitation.
Mountain Parks – Mt KenyaDay Trip KES 430 (EA/Res) ≈ US$43 NRKES 800 (EA) / 1 100 (Res) / US$70 NR+86 % (EA) +156 % (Res) +63 % (NR)Simplifies prior multi-day climbing packages into a flat 24-hr rate.
Scenic / Special Interest A – Hell’s Gate, Elgon, Longonot, Ol Donyo SabukKES 215 (EA/Res) ≈ US$35 NRKES 500 (EA) / 675 (Res) / US$50 NR+133 % (EA) +214 % (Res) +43 % (NR)Reflects popularity as weekend adventure destinations; still affordable for locals.
Scenic / Special Interest B – Ruma, Saiwa, Sibiloi, Marsabit, Mwea etc.KES 215 (EA/Res) ≈ US$35 NRKES 500 (EA) / 675 (Res) / US$40 NR+133 % (EA) +214 % (Res) +14 % (NR)Narrowed pricing gap to encourage balanced visitation across all parks.
Sanctuaries – Nairobi Orphanage, Safari Walk, Kisumu ImpalaKES 215 (EA/Res) ≈ US$22 NRKES 300 (EA) / 405 (Res) / US$25 NR+40 % (EA) +88 % (Res) +14 % (NR)Small rise; keeps education-centric centers accessible.
Marine ParksKES 300 (EA/Res) ≈ US$17 NRKES 500 (EA) / 675 (Res) / US$25 NR+67 % (EA) +125 % (Res) +47 % (NR)Harmonized with terrestrial scenic parks for simplicity.

Camping & Activity Fees Comparison

Fee Type20242025% ChangeCommentary
Special Campsites (Premium)KES 500 (Adult) / 250 (Child)KES 500 / 250 (premium) unchanged – but now tiered by park0 %Retained nominal fee; new “reservation fee KES 10 000” added.
Public Campsites (All)KES 200 (Adult) / 150 (Child)KES 200–350 / 150–250 range+25 – 75 %Slight escalation to match inflation.
Night Game Drive (pp)KES 2 155KES 3 000+39 %Indexed to cover ranger overtime & fuel.
Lake Boating (pp/hr)KES 1 290KES 1 500+16 %Small adjustment; uniform across lakes.
Guided Tour ≤4h / >4h1 720 / 3 0152 000 / 4 000+16 – 33 %Streamlined pricing, rounded to thousands.
Cycling (per day)500300−40 %Reduced to encourage local adventure tourism.
Fishing (per line)5151 500+191 %Re-classified under sport-fishing license.
Horse Riding (private horse)1 0301 500+45 %Reflects limited availability & insurance coverage.
Vehicle Recovery7 50010 500+40 %Updated to match contractor fuel/labour rates.

Vehicle & Aircraft Fees

Category20242025% ChangeNotes
Private Vehicle <6 Seats300 KES600 KES+100 %Harmonized upward across categories.
6–12 Seats Van1 030 KES1 500 KES+46 %Still lower than regional average.
13–24 Seats Bus2 585 KES3 000 KES+16 %Minimal rise.
45 + Seats Bus5 000 KES5 000 KES0 %Unchanged.
Aircraft Landing (<3 Seats / now ≤1 500 kg)KES 300 ≈ US$3US$ 10+233 % approxConverted to USD schedule for parity.
Helicopter Landing (Mt Kenya)US$ 260US$ 300+15 %Standardized across select parks.

Annual Passes

Type2024 (KES)2025 (KES)% Change
Adult Annual Pass43 10045 000+4 %
Child Annual Pass10 34010 400+1 %
Corporate Annual Pass103 440120 000+16 %
Family Pass (new category 2025)—130 000—
Marine Annual Pass10 34010 500+2 %

The 2025 schedule consolidates all annual products under round figures, introduces a family package, and keeps small increments within inflation margins.


Structural & Policy Shifts

Area2024 Structure2025 RevisionExpert Insight
Currency FrameworkMixed KES/US$ conversion inconsistenciesClear four-tiered KES / USD scheduleEnhances transparency & parity.
Regional HarmonizationNo African citizen rateIntroduced “African Citizen” categoryEncourages intra-African tourism.
Tariff SimplicityMultiple sub-bands (A/B parks, special interests)Consolidated into 8 clean categoriesEasier for marketing and booking systems.
Digital PaymenteCitizen mandatory since 2022Retained & fully integratedNo change.
Sustainability GoalRecovery pricing, modest differentialExplicit cost-recovery + conservation linkageAligns with National Wildlife Strategy 2030.
Equity & AccessDomestic-friendly but unbalancedEA citizen concessions retainedBalances foreign revenue with citizen access.

Expert Interpretation

  • Domestic Tourism Impact:
    EA citizens face an average 75–130 % increase, but absolute prices (KES 500–1 500) remain affordable for most middle-income Kenyans.
    Likely short-term visitation dip in non-holiday months; recovery expected after adaptation.
  • International Market:
    Non-resident fees now USD 70–90 in flagship parks
  • Revenue Projection:
    Assuming flat visitation, total KWS gate revenue could rise by ~60–70 % annually once implemented.
    If visitation drops 15 %, net gain still ~40 %, supporting ongoing anti-poaching and infrastructure costs.
  • Conservation Logic:
    High-value foreign rates cross-subsidize citizen access and fund ecosystem maintenance.
    Tiering African rates may spur regional cooperation in trans-boundary tourism.
  • Equity & Access Risks:
    Steep increases in mid-tier parks (Meru, Aberdare) may temporarily deter local repeat visitors.
    Recommended: introduce county resident discounts or annual park bundles to cushion domestic users.

Overall Summary

Metric2024 Average2025 Average% Increase
EA Citizen (Adult)KES 400KES 900+125 %
Kenya Resident (Adult)KES 550KES 1 200+118 %
Non-Resident (Adult)USD 43USD 70+63 %
Children (All)50 % of adultunchanged—

PDF Documents of the New Rates:

Below is a PDF Document of the old KWS 2024/25 rates as well:

KTF Concerns about the new Park Fees

The Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) has protested the rollout of the new KWS park fee payment system (KWSPay), citing lack of stakeholder consultation and disruptions to normal tour operations due to the removal of bank transfer options. See this reporting here.

KTF highlighted new financial burdens, including an 8.5% card processing fee—well above standard rates—and an inflated exchange rate of KES 135 per USD (vs. the Central Bank’s ~129.50), which has raised park entry costs.

The Federation is urging KWS and the Ministry of Tourism to reinstate bank transfers, lower processing fees, and align the exchange rate to the official CBK rate to protect Kenya’s tourism competitiveness and ensure fair, transparent transactions.

KWS Park Entry Booking Links (via KWSPay on eCitizen)

#Park / Reserve / SanctuaryOfficial KWSPay Booking Link
1Amboseli National ParkBook Amboseli Entry
2Nairobi National ParkBook Nairobi NP Entry
3Lake Nakuru National ParkBook Lake Nakuru Entry
4Tsavo East National ParkBook Tsavo East Entry
5Tsavo West National ParkBook Tsavo West Entry
6Mount Kenya National ParkBook Mount Kenya Entry
7Aberdare National ParkBook Aberdare Entry
8Hell’s Gate National ParkBook Hell’s Gate Entry
9Mount Elgon National ParkBook Mount Elgon Entry
10Ol Donyo Sabuk National ParkBook Ol Donyo Sabuk Entry
11Shimba Hills National ParkBook Shimba Hills Entry
12Meru / Kora National Park ComplexBook Kora Entry
13Marsabit National ParkBook Marsabit Entry
14Ruma National ParkBook Ruma Entry
15Saiwa Swamp National ParkBook Saiwa Swamp Entry
16Mwea National ReserveBook Mwea Entry
17Kakamega Forest National ReserveBook Kakamega Forest Entry
18Lake Elementaita Wildlife SanctuaryBook Lake Elementaita Entry
19Ndere Island National ParkBook Ndere Island Entry
20Sibiloi National ParkBook Sibiloi Entry
21South Island National Park (Lake Turkana)Book South Island Entry
22Central Island National Park (Lake Turkana)Book Central Island Entry
23Nairobi Safari WalkBook Safari Walk Entry
24Nairobi Animal OrphanageBook Animal Orphanage Entry
25Kisumu Impala SanctuaryBook Kisumu Impala Entry

💳 How to Pay KWS Park Entry Fees via eCitizen (KWSPay)

All KWS park entry fees are paid online only through KWSPay, the official eCitizen subdomain — no cash payments are accepted at park gates.

Steps:

  1. Open the KWSPay link for your park (see list above).
  2. On the page, fill in your Entry Details:
    • Add visitor names and nationalities (as per ID/passport).
    • Select your entrance gate, entry/exit dates, and indicate if paying for a vehicle.
    • Add any applicable activities (e.g., camping, cycling).
  3. Login or create an eCitizen account.
  4. Pay securely via MPesa, card, or eCitizen Wallet.
  5. Download and keep your receipt (with QR code) and present it with your ID at the gate.

Tips if the page is slow:

  • eCitizen’s KWSPay may lag — wait 2–3 minutes before refreshing.
  • If stuck, refresh once and let it reload; avoid double payments.
  • Check your eCitizen “My Applications” or MPesa messages for payment confirmation.

Need help? Contact KWS at 0800 597000 or customerservice@kws.go.ke.
Never pay cash or let anyone process payment on your behalf — all tickets must be made directly through eCitizen’s KWSPay.