Anthony Howe
Kenya is home to diverse and exciting national parks and reserves. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) manages the national parks, while conservancies are mostly privately owned. Local and intentional tourists must pay the KWS park fees to enjoy the packages. Discover the KWS park fees for all major parks and conservancies in 2026.
The KWS logo (L) and KWS staff guiding tourists at the Nairobi National Park (R). Photo: @Kenya Wildlife Service (modified by author)
Source: UGC TABLE OF CONTENTS Key takeaways KWS park fees for all major parks and conservancies in 2026 1. Nairobi National Park 2. Lake Nakuru and Amboseli National Parks 3. Maasai Mara National Reserve 4. Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks 5. Lake Bogoria National Reserve 6. Ngong Hills 7. Meru, Kora, and Aberdare National Parks 8. Hells Gate, Mt. Longonot, Mt. Elgon, Ol Donyo Sabuk National Parks and Lake Elementaita Wildlife Sanctuary, Shimba Hills and Kakamega National Reserves (Scenic parks) 9. Nairobi Animal Orphanage, Nairobi Safari Walk, and Kisumu Impala Sanctuary 10. Nairobi Sanctuary Package (Nairobi Animal Orphanage and Nairobi Safari Walk) 11. Marine protected areas (Kisite Mpunguti, Watamu, Mombasa, Malindi, Kiunga, and Diani Chale) KWS camping fees Premium Parks (Amboseli and Lake Nakuru National Parks) – Special campsites All other parks – Special campsites Camping on public campsites – Premium parks (Amboseli and Lake Nakuru National Parks) Camping on public campsites – All others How much are KWS park fees? What are the daily conservation fees in Kruger Park? What is the gateway fee for KWS? What are the new fees for Karura? Key takeaways The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) oversees twenty-five national parks, twenty-nine national reserves, six national wildlife sanctuaries, six marine national reserves, four marine national parks, and three captive wildlife management facilities. The primary goal of KWS is to preserve these natural treasures for current and future generations. The KWS park fees for all major parks and conservancies in 2026 vary depending on whether you are an adult, a local, or an international tourist. The Kenya Wildlife Service revised its park fee to support sustainable wildlife conservation and maintain affordability during high and low seasons. So, what are the new rates? Here is a look at the KWS park fees for all major parks and conservancies in 2026.
These rates are generally for peak seasons (July – December). The figures may change depending on local arrangements or announcements by the KWS.
1. Nairobi National Park Nairobi National Park, located outside Nairobi’s CBD, offers a unique opportunity to see wildlife against a backdrop of city skyscrapers. The latest KWS park fees in 2026 are explored below.
EAC Citizen – KES 1,000 (Adult) and KES 500 (Child/Student) Resident: KES 1350 (Adult) or KES 675 (Child/Student) International Visitors – $80 (Adult) or $40 (Child/Student) African citizen- $40 (Adult) or $20 (Child/Student) KWS also offers the Nairobi Package, catering for Nairobi National Park, Nairobi Safari Walk, and the Animal Orphanage at the following rates:
EAC Citizen – KES 1,300 (Adult) and KES 700 (Child/Student) Resident: KES 1750 (Adult) or KES 950 (Child/Student) International Visitors – $105 (Adult) or $55 (Child/Student) African citizen- $55 (Adult) or $20 (Child/Student) 2. Lake Nakuru and Amboseli National Parks As most people know, Lake Nakuru is home to flamingos and diverse bird species, while Amboseli is known for its large herds of elephants and a stunning view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The KWS park fees for the two are as follows:
EAC Citizen – KES 1,500 (Adult) and KES 750 (Child/Student) Resident: KES 2025 (Adult) or KES 1050 (Child/Student) International Visitors – $90 (Adult) or $45 (Child/Student) African citizen- $50 (Adult) or $25 (Child/Student) Kenya Wildlife Service workers on duty (L) and elephants drinking water (R) Photo: @Kenya Wildlife Service (modified by author)
Source: UGC 3. Maasai Mara National Reserve The Maasai Mara National Reserve is one of the world’s most renowned safari destinations. It is known for its diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscape. Maasai Mara Park fees are as follows:
Non-residents – $200 (Adult) and $50 (Child/ student) EAC Citizen – KES 3000 (Adult) and KES 1,500 (Child/ student) Residents: KES 5000 (Adult) or KES 2,000 (Child/ student) The fee is valid for 24 hours from the time of entry to the national park. Visitors should leave the park by 10:00 on their departure day to avoid additional day charges.
4. Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks are known for their vast landscapes and rich biodiversity, which includes the famous red elephants, among other wildlife. The national park fees are:
EAC Citizen – KES 1,000 (Adult) and KES 500 (Child/Student) Resident: KES 1350 (Adult) or KES 675 (Child/Student) International Visitors – $80 (Adult) or $40 (Child/Student) African citizen- $40 (Adult) or $20 (Child/Student) 5. Lake Bogoria National Reserve The Lake Bogoria National Reserve is known for its seemingly endless swarm of bright pink flamingoes. It is also famous for geysers and hot springs along the bank of the lake and in the lake. It has more than 200 steaming volcanic springs. Lake Bogoria entrance fee is as follows:
Non-residents – $50 (Adult) and $20 (Child) EAC Citizens – KES 500 (Adult) and KES 215 (Child) 6. Ngong Hills The Ngong Hills are home to several indigenous plants, such as Acacia and Croton. They are also home to animals such as rabbits, buffalo, wild pigs, chimpanzees, and lions. Most people visit Ngong Hills for walks, picnics, worship, or professional and amateur running:
The Ngong Hills entrance fee is roughly KES. 200 for adult citizens and KES 50 for child citizens. Resident adults pay KES 400, and resident children pay KES 100. The charges for other activities are:
Filming – KES 40,000 Video shooting – KES 2,500 Hiking – KES 200 to KES 600 Zip lining – KES 1,0000 A herd of buffalos feeding (L) and a tourist van (R). Photo: @Kenya Wildlife Service (modified by author)
Source: UGC 7. Meru, Kora, and Aberdare National Parks Among the most popular travel spots for both domestic and foreign visitors are the three national parks. They are renowned for having beautiful, rocky, and forested settings. The following are the park fees:
EAC Citizen – KES 800 (Adult) and KES 500 (Child/Student) Resident: KES 1100 (Adult) or KES 675 (Child/Student) International Visitors – $70 (Adult) or $40 (Child/Student) African citizen- $40 (Adult) or $20 (Child/Student) 8. Hells Gate, Mt. Longonot, Mt. Elgon, Ol Donyo Sabuk National Parks and Lake Elementaita Wildlife Sanctuary, Shimba Hills and Kakamega National Reserves (Scenic parks) The parks are famous for their hiking trails, unique geological formations, and chances to see diverse wildlife. Their KWS park fee is:
EAC Citizen – KES 500 (Adult) and KES 250 (Child/Student) Resident: KES 675 (Adult) or KES 350 (Child/Student) International Visitors – $50 (Adult) or $25 (Child/Student) African citizen- $20 (Adult) or $10 (Child/Student) 9. Nairobi Animal Orphanage, Nairobi Safari Walk, and Kisumu Impala Sanctuary Among the special interest sanctuaries managed by KWS are the Nairobi Impala Sanctuary, Nairobi Safari Walk, and Nairobi Animal Orphanage. The entrance costs in Kisumu and KWS Langata are:
EAC Citizen – KES 300 (Adult) and KES 200 (Child/Student) Resident: KES 405 (Adult) or KES 300 (Child/Student) International Visitors – $25 (Adult) or $15 (Child/Student) African citizen- $15 (Adult) or $10 (Child/Student) 10. Nairobi Sanctuary Package (Nairobi Animal Orphanage and Nairobi Safari Walk) The new KWS park fees for this package are explored below.
EAC Citizen – KES 500 (Adult) and KES 300 (Child/Student) Resident: KES 675 (Adult) or KES 500 (Child/Student) International Visitors – $40 (Adult) or $20 (Child/Student) African citizen- $25 (Adult) or $15 (Child/Student) 11. Marine protected areas (Kisite Mpunguti, Watamu, Mombasa, Malindi, Kiunga, and Diani Chale) The KWS park fees on eCitizen for marine protected areas are explored below.
EAC Citizen – KES 500 (Adult) and KES 250 (Child/Student) Resident: KES 675 (Adult) or KES 350 (Child/Student) International Visitors – $25 (Adult) or $15 (Child/Student) African citizen- $15 (Adult) or $10 (Child/Student) KWS staff and stakeholders after a consultation meeting (L) and KWS soldiers holding a guard of honour (R). Photo: @Kenya Wildlife Service (modified by author)
Source: UGC KWS camping fees Apart from the typical entrance fee charged at all major parks and conservancies, these facilities also offer public campsites at the following rates:
Premium Parks (Amboseli and Lake Nakuru National Parks) – Special campsites EAC Citizen – KES 500 (Adult) and KES 250 (Child/Student) Resident: KES 700 (Adult) or KES 350 (Child/Student) International Visitors – $50 (Adult) or $25 (Child/Student) African citizen- $25 (Adult) or $15 (Child/Student) All other parks – Special campsites EAC Citizen – KES 250 (Adult) and KES 200 (Child/Student) Resident: KES 350 (Adult) or KES 250 (Child/Student) International Visitors – $35 (Adult) or $20 (Child/Student) African citizen- $20 (Adult) or $10 (Child/Student) Camping on public campsites – Premium parks (Amboseli and Lake Nakuru National Parks) EAC Citizen – KES 250 (Adult) and KES 200 (Child/Student) Resident: KES 350 (Adult) or KES 250 (Child/Student) International Visitors – $30 (Adult) or $25 (Child/Student) African citizen- $15 (Adult) or $13 (Child/Student) Camping on public campsites – All others EAC Citizen – KES 200 (Adult) and KES 150 (Child/Student) Resident: KES 300 (Adult) or KES 200 (Child/Student) International Visitors – $20 (Adult) or $15 (Child/Student) African citizen- $10 (Adult) or $8 (Child/Student) NB: KWS park fees payment for all the above categories can be made on eCitizens, via M-Pesa, Visa, MasterCard, or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
How much are KWS park fees? Check out the previous sections of this article to find out the KWS park fees for all major parks and conservancies in Kenya.
What are the daily conservation fees in Kruger Park? The Kruger National Park in SA charges are explored below:
South African Citizens and Residents
R134
R67
SADC Nationals
R275
R137
International (non-South African) Citizens
R602
R300
What is the gateway fee for KWS? The KWS gateway fee is a 5% charge on online transactions, commonly known as KWSPay, for park entry.
What are the new fees for Karura? The new fees for Karura forest are KES 200 per adult per day or KES 50 per child per day. These charges are for citizens.
Above is everything you need to know about the KWS park fees for all major parks and conservancies in 2026. The new rates reflect the service’s strategic realignment to address the constantly increasing operational costs. In addition, it will aid in enhancing local and international tourists’ experiences at all these major parks and conservancies.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
Tuko.co.ke shared an article about KWS recruitment requirements. Applying for a position at the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) can be challenging. However, you will likely be shortlisted and get the job if you have the correct information.
KWS job announcements are made public through their website. The organization discourages any form of canvassing because it will lead to automatic disqualification. Additionally, the recruitment process is open to qualified candidates.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Source: Tuko.co.ke | Read the Full Story…
