The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has announced that new conservation fees for entry into national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries will take effect on October 1, 2025.
In a statement on Monday, September 29, KWS confirmed that Parliament approved the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access, Entry and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations 2025 on September 25, giving them legal effect.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the ministry has put measures in place to ensure proper implementation of the new fees.
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KWS Director General, Prof. Erastus Kanga, also assured visitors who had booked and paid for trips under the old charges that their payments will remain valid. “All eTicket payments made before the announcement and the revised fees will therefore apply to new bookings made for excursions onwards,” Prof. Kanga explained.
The revised fees classify the parks into categories such as premium parks, wilderness parks, mountain parks, scenic parks, urban parks, special interest parks, sanctuaries, and marine protected areas.
Under the new structure, premium parks such as Amboseli and Lake Nakuru will cost East African citizens Sh1,500, African citizens $50, and non-residents $90. Nairobi National Park will charge East African citizens Sh1,000, African citizens $40, and non-residents $80.
The Nairobi Package, which covers Nairobi National Park, Nairobi Orphanage, and Nairobi Safari Walk, is set at Sh1,300 for East African citizens, $55 for African citizens, and $105 for non-residents. The Nairobi Sanctuary Package, which covers the orphanage and safari walk, will cost Sh500 for East African citizens, $25 for African citizens, and $40 for non-residents.
Wilderness parks such as Tsavo East and Tsavo West will cost Sh1,000 for East African citizens, $40 for African citizens, and $80 for non-residents. Mountain parks such as Aberdare, Meru, and Kora will charge Sh800 for East African citizens, $40 for African citizens, and $70 for non-residents. Mt. Kenya National Park will charge East African citizens Sh800, African citizens $30, and non-residents $70.
Scenic parks such as Hells Gate, Mt. Longonot, Mt. Elgon, Shimba Hills, Kakamega, Marsabit, and Lake Elementaita Sanctuary will cost Sh500 for East African citizens, $20 for African citizens, and $50 for non-residents.
Marine protected areas including Kisite Mpunguti and Watamu will charge Sh500 for East African citizens, $20 for African citizens, and $40 for non-residents. Other marine areas such as Mombasa, Malindi, Kiunga, and Diani Chale will charge Sh500 for East African citizens, $15 for African citizens, and $30 for non-residents.
The new regulations also set camping fees, motor vehicle charges, and licensing for water sports. For example, camping at special campsites in premium parks will cost Sh500 for East African adults, Sh250 for children, $50 for African adults, $25 for African children, $25 for non-resident adults, and $15 for non-resident children.
Water sports licenses will range from Sh60,000 to Sh240,000 annually depending on business size, while independent participants will pay between Sh500 daily and Sh10,000 annually. Motor vehicle entry charges will range from Sh600 for vehicles with fewer than six seats to Sh3,000 for vehicles with up to 24 seats.
KWS said the review is meant to strengthen conservation financing, improve visitor experience, and keep Kenya’s parks globally competitive.
