Planning a safari in Kenya? One of the first questions everyone asks is: how much are the park fees? The answer changed recently. Since 1 October 2025, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has used a new four-tier tariff that groups visitors by residency and groups parks by category. It looks complicated at first — but it’s simple once you see how it works.
Step 1: Which visitor tier are you?
- Tier 1 – East African citizens (paid in Kenya shillings)
- Tier 2 – Kenya residents holding a foreign passport and valid residency (paid in shillings)
- Tier 3 – African citizens from outside the East African Community (paid in US dollars)
- Tier 4 – Non-residents, i.e. most international visitors (paid in US dollars)
Step 2: Which category is your park?
KWS now prices parks by category. Here are the headline adult rates for 24 hours, as published for the 2026 season:
- Premium – Amboseli and Lake Nakuru: US$90 non-resident / KES 1,500 East African citizen
- Wilderness – Tsavo East, Tsavo West and Meru: US$80 / KES 1,000
- Urban – Nairobi National Park: US$80 / KES 1,000
- Mountain – Aberdare: US$80 / KES 1,000
- Scenic – Hell’s Gate: US$50 / KES 500
Children and students pay roughly half the adult rate. Marine parks and special-interest sites have their own categories.
Step 3: How to pay
Park fees are paid electronically — through the government’s eCitizen platform or KWSPay — rather than in cash at the gate. If you book with a tour operator like Lorikeet Safaris, park fees are normally included in your package price and we handle payment for you.
What about the Maasai Mara?
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is managed by Narok County, not KWS, so it isn’t part of this tariff. The Mara now uses seasonal pricing: non-resident adults pay US$100 per day from January to June and US$200 from July to December. We explain what that means for your trip in our Maasai Mara 2026 guide.
Five ways to get the most from your park fees
- Use the full 24 hours. Fees cover a day of entry — arrive for the afternoon light and leave after a dawn drive.
- Mix categories. Combining a premium park with a wilderness park (say, Amboseli and Tsavo) balances cost and variety.
- Don’t overlook Nairobi National Park. It’s minutes from the city and one of the best birding parks in Africa — ideal for a stopover.
- Go with a specialist guide. The fee is the same whether you see ten species or a hundred; a good guide makes every dollar count.
- Check before you travel. The new tariff has been subject to a court review, and rates can change. Always confirm current fees on official KWS channels or with your operator before you book.
Can’t visit yet? Watch Kenya live
In September 2026, KWS and WildEarth launched KenyaLIVE, daily unscripted livestreams of Kenya’s wildlife, starting at Nairobi National Park and broadcast across more than 16 global platforms. It’s a great way to get a feel for the parks before your trip.
Let us handle the fees
All Lorikeet Safaris packages include park entry fees, so there are no surprises. Browse our Nairobi Birding Blitz, Amboseli & Tsavo Photo Safari or ask us for a custom quote.
Sources: Trunk Trails Safaris; The Kenya Times; Kenyans.co.ke. Fees are correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing — please confirm before booking.
