For many years, Kenya has been a top destination for tourists worldwide who want to visit the country’s national parks and game reserves. In the first half of 2024 alone, the number of tourists in the county reached 1,027,630, representing a significant growth compared to previous years. At the same time, the Ministry of Tourism announced a record-breaking number of about 2.5 million visitors by December 2024 and targeted 2.7 million by 2027 annually. The top destinations for international and local tourists are the Various parks and game reserves in the Country, which are all managed by the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS).
If you plan to visit Kenya’s various national heritages and protected sites, understanding the entry fees is essential. The fees for parks are usually announced only yearly by the KWS, with the latest changes happening in late 2023 to cover only the 2024/2025 financial year. So, what are the entrance fees for the KWS parks?
How many KWS parks and game reserves are in Kenya?
There are over 411 protected areas in Kenya that are recognized worldwide, but the specific number of parks is 26 national parks, 30 national reserves, and one game sanctuary. The KWS usually manages the National parks, while the game reserves are privately owned or managed by local communities. The Most Well-Known Protected sites are the Masai Mara National Reserve, known for its great migration, and Amboseli National Park, which provides a captivating view of Mount Kilimanjaro.
What are the new park fees for KWS 2025?
If you are a visitor to any park and game reserves in Kenya, one requirement is that you will not be allowed inside unless you have paid the various entry fees. The charges vary from one park to another and are influenced mainly by whether you are a Kenyan citizen or an international tourist.
As per KWS, the fees are usually classified into non-residents, East African residents, and Kenyan citizens, as seen in the table below:
| No. | Park/Reserve Name | Citizen/Resident | Non-Resident | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (KSH) | Child (KSH) | Adult (USD) | Child (USD) | ||
| 1 | Amboseli National Park | 860 | 215 | 60 | 35 |
| 2 | Bisanadi National Reserve | 250 | 100 | 20 | 10 |
| 3 | Central Island National Park | 300 | 125 | 22 | 13 |
| 4 | Chyulu Hills National Park | 300 | 125 | 22 | 13 |
| 5 | Hell’s Gate National Park | 300 | 215 | 26 | 17 |
| 6 | Kakamega Forest National Reserve | 300 | 125 | 22 | 13 |
| 7 | Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park | 215 | 125 | 17 | 13 |
| 8 | Kisumu Impala Sanctuary | 215 | 125 | 22 | 13 |
| 9 | Kiunga Marine National Reserve | 130 | 125 | 17 | 13 |
| 10 | Kora National Park | 300 | 215 | 52 | 35 |
| 11 | Lake Elementaita Wildlife Sanctuary | 215 | 125 | 22 | 13 |
| 12 | Lake Nakuru National Park | 860 | 215 | 60 | 35 |
| 13 | Mount Longonot National Park | 300 | 215 | 26 | 17 |
| 14 | Nairobi National Park | 430 | 215 | 43 | 22 |
| 15 | Tsavo East National Park | 515 | 215 | 52 | 35 |
| 16 | Tsavo West National Park | 515 | 215 | 52 | 35 |
| 17 | Malindi Marine National Park | 130 | 125 | 17 | 13 |
| 18 | Marsabit National Park | 300 | 125 | 22 | 13 |
| 19 | Meru National Park | 300 | 215 | 52 | 35 |
| 20 | Mombasa Marine Park | 130 | 125 | 17 | 13 |
| 21 | Mount Elgon National Park | 300 | 215 | 26 | 17 |
| 22 | Mt. Kenya National Park (Daily) | 430 | 215 | 52 | 26 |
| 23 | Mwea National Reserve | 300 | 125 | 22 | 13 |
| 24 | Mwingi Game Reserve | 250 | 100 | 20 | 10 |
| 25 | Nairobi Animal Orphanage | 215 | 125 | 22 | 13 |
| 26 | Nairobi Safari Walk | 215 | 125 | 22 | 13 |
| 27 | Nasolot National Reserve | 250 | 100 | 20 | 10 |
| 28 | Ndere Island National Park | 300 | 215 | 22 | 13 |
| 29 | Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park | 300 | 215 | 26 | 17 |
| 30 | Ruma National Park | 300 | 125 | 22 | 13 |
| 31 | Saiwa Swamp National Park | 300 | 125 | 22 | 13 |
| 32 | Shimba Hills National Reserve | 300 | 125 | 22 | 13 |
| 33 | Sibiloi National Park | 300 | 125 | 22 | 13 |
| 34 | South Island National Park | 300 | 125 | 22 | 13 |
NOTE: The fee structure listed above is directly sourced from the KWS website, which is standardized. However, you should understand that fee structures for various parks in Kenya vary depending on the seasons. For example, during the high season, from July to December, the fees are high due to the increasing number of tourists, while during the low season, from January to June, the fees are low due to the low turnout of Visitors. If everything changes from the above, you can find the updated fees on the e-Citzen portal when you pay.
Apart from the entry fees, other charges that you may have to incur are as follows:
Security/Guided Tour Fees
| Duration | Rate (KSH) |
|---|---|
| Up to 4 hours | 1,720 |
| Over 4 hours | 3,015 |
Vehicle Charges (Per Day)
| Vehicle Capacity | Rate (KSH) |
|---|---|
| Less than 6 seats | 300 |
| 6-12 seats | 1,030 |
| 13-24 seats | 2,585 |
| 25-44 seats | 4,050 |
| 45 seats and above | 5,000 |
Special Activities (Selected Parks)
| Activity | Rate |
|---|---|
| Cycling per day (Hell’s Gate) | KSH 215 |
| Night Game Drive (Tsavo West) | KSH 2,155 per person |
| Lake Boating | KSH 1,290 per person per hour |
| Fishing (Mt. Kenya) | KSH 1,550 per line per day |
| VIP Van Hire (Nairobi) | KSH 7,500 up to 3 hours |
Mt. Kenya Special Package Rates
| Duration | Citizen/Resident (KSH) | Non-Resident (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Days | Adult: 1,290 / Child: 645 | Adult: 156 / Child: 78 |
| 4 Days | Adult: 1,720 / Child: 860 | Adult: 208 / Child: 104 |
| 5 Days | Adult: 2,150 / Child: 1,075 | Adult: 260 / Child: 130 |
| 6 Days | Adult: 2,580 / Child: 1,290 | Adult: 312 / Child: 156 |
How to pay the KWS park fee
In January 2017, KWS transitioned to cashless payments, meaning that all payments to any park in Kenya are made via the e-Citizen portal. To access the platform, you need to be registered and have your account verified. If you are new to Kenya and do not know how to go with the eCitizen account creation, check this guide to get started.
Below is the process involved with paying park entry fees in Kenya:
- Visit the office KWS Portal on Citizen via https://kws.ecitizen.go.ke/ and Sign in
- Locate the Park Application form and start filling it out correctly. Select the park you want to visit, provide your details, and provide General with information as needed.
- Once you complete the application form, the final stage requires you to proceed and pay the entry fees through various payment methods provided, such as M-Pesa, Bank, or credit card.
- Choose the payment method that suits you. For local tourists, using M-Pesa is a preferred option, and for international travelers, using a Card to pay is also easy. Regardless of the method you choose, follow the instructions on the portal to avoid any issues with payment.
NOTE: While using the eCitizen portal for payment, it will charge you Ksh 50 extra as a service fee
FAQs
How much is the entry fee for Nairobi National Park 2025?
The entry fee at the Nairobi park varies depending on your citizenship. For example, as of 2025, local residents pay Ksh 430 for adults and Ksh 215 for children. On the other hand, non-residents pay $43 for adults and $22 for children. The charges mentioned here are per child.
How much is the Lake Bogoria National Park fee for non-residents?
Lake Bogoria is a National Reserve, and access costs US$50 per person, valid for only 24 hours.
How much is the Mamba Village entrance fee?
The entry fee to Mamba Village is Ksh 200, but other activities inside the sanctuary will cost extra, such as Ksh 150 for adult crocodile viewing.
How much is the vehicle entry fee in KWS?
It costs about Ksh 300 to Ksh 5,000 for a vehicle to enter any KWS park, with charges being 9nvlfuenced mainly by vehicle seat capacity
And there you have it. In this guide, we have walked you through the latest KWS charges for various parks and game reserves in Kenya, and we hope you understand how much they will cost you as of 2025. Let us interact in the comment section below if you need further clarification.
