Last verified: July 2026
Kenya national park fees catch a lot of first-time travelers off guard — not because the numbers are hidden, but because every park seems to price things differently. Some parks charge one flat rate all year. Others double their prices in peak season. Some are run by the Kenya Wildlife Service, others by county governments with their own rules entirely.
This guide breaks down exactly what you’ll pay at Kenya’s most-visited parks and reserves in 2026, why the pricing structures differ, and what else to budget for beyond the entry ticket itself.
Quick-Reference Table: Kenya National Park Fees 2026
| Park / Reserve | Managed By | Non-Resident Adult | Non-Resident Child | Kenya Resident Adult | EA Citizen Adult |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maasai Mara National Reserve | Narok County | $100/day (Jan–Jun) $200/day (Jul–Dec) | $50 (year-round) | KES 3,000–5,000* | KES 2,000–3,000* |
| Amboseli National Park | KWS | $90 | $45 | KES 2,025 | KES 1,500 |
| Lake Nakuru National Park | KWS | $90 | $45 | KES 2,025 | KES 1,500 |
| Tsavo East National Park | KWS | $80 | $40 | KES 1,350 | KES 1,000 |
| Tsavo West National Park | KWS | $80 | $40 | KES 1,350 | KES 1,000 |
| Samburu National Reserve | Samburu County | $85/day | $50 | KES 1,600 | KES 800 |
Mara resident/citizen rates vary by source; confirm current figures directly with Narok County or your tour operator before finalizing a budget.
Rates above are per person, per 24-hour period, unless noted. All figures are subject to change without notice — always confirm directly through KWS eCitizen or the relevant county authority before booking.
Why Kenya’s Park Fees Aren’t All the Same
The single biggest source of confusion around Kenya national park fees is that not all parks are managed by the same authority.
- Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) manages most national parks — Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Tsavo East, Tsavo West, and others. These parks use a flat, year-round rate with no seasonal pricing.
- County Governments manage certain national reserves, most notably the Maasai Mara (Narok County) and Samburu (Samburu County). These operate independently of KWS and can set their own fee structures, including seasonal pricing.
This is exactly why the Maasai Mara has a high season/low season split while Amboseli and Nakuru don’t — they answer to entirely different authorities with different revenue models.
Maasai Mara National Reserve Fees 2026
The Maasai Mara is Kenya’s most-visited safari destination, and its fee structure reflects that: it’s the only major park with seasonal pricing tied directly to demand.
- January – June: $100 per non-resident adult, per 12-hour period
- July – December: $200 per non-resident adult, per 12-hour period
- Children: $50 year-round, regardless of season
- Ticket validity: 12 hours (not 24) — a detail that trips up travelers used to KWS parks
If your itinerary includes overnight stays inside the reserve or multiple game drives across different calendar days, you may need to pay the entry fee more than once. Confirm with your tour operator whether your package fee already accounts for this.
Amboseli National Park Fees 2026
Amboseli, famous for its elephant herds set against Mount Kilimanjaro, follows the standard KWS fee structure:
- Non-Resident Adult: $90
- Non-Resident Child: $45
- Kenya Resident Adult: KES 2,025
- Kenya Resident Child: KES 1,050
- EA Citizen Adult: KES 1,500
- EA Citizen Child: KES 750
Entry is free for children under 6. Fees are the same year-round — no seasonal pricing here.
Lake Nakuru National Park Fees 2026
Lake Nakuru shares the exact same fee structure as Amboseli, since both fall under standard KWS pricing:
- Non-Resident Adult: $90
- Non-Resident Child: $45
- Kenya Resident Adult: KES 2,025
- EA Citizen Adult: KES 1,500
Nakuru is a popular add-on to Mara itineraries thanks to its rhino sanctuary and flamingo populations, and its lower, flat-rate pricing makes it an easy park to budget for compared to the Mara.
Tsavo East & Tsavo West Fees 2026
Kenya’s largest protected area, split into two parks, shares one fee structure:
- Non-Resident Adult: $80
- Non-Resident Child: $40
- Kenya Resident Adult: KES 1,350
- EA Citizen Adult: KES 1,000
Note that Tsavo East and Tsavo West are ticketed separately — if your itinerary crosses both, budget for two separate entries.
Samburu National Reserve Fees 2026
Like the Mara, Samburu is managed by its county government rather than KWS, though it doesn’t currently apply seasonal pricing:
- Non-Resident Adult: $85 per 24-hour period
- Non-Resident Child: $50
- Kenya Resident Adult: KES 1,600
- EA Citizen Adult: KES 800
Samburu’s fee also covers access to its unique wildlife, including the “Samburu Special Five” species found nowhere else in Kenya.
What About Ol Pejeta and Other Private Conservancies?
Not every wildlife destination in Kenya is a national park or reserve. Ol Pejeta Conservancy, along with most Maasai Mara-area conservancies (Naboisho, Mara North, Olare Motorogi, and others), is privately or community-owned. These operate entirely separate conservation-fee structures, typically ranging from $80–$150 per person per day, and are usually bundled directly into your lodge or camp’s nightly rate rather than paid separately at a gate. If your itinerary includes any of these, don’t expect KWS or county rates to apply — check with your lodge directly.
Other Costs to Budget Beyond Entry Fees
Park entry fees are rarely the only cost involved. Depending on your itinerary, also plan for:
- Vehicle fees — most parks charge a separate entry fee per vehicle, in addition to per-person fees.
- Camping fees — for travelers on mobile or public campsite itineraries.
- Special activities — night game drives, guided walks, and similar add-ons often carry separate charges.
- Community/conservation fees — some lodges inside reserves add a small community fee on top of the standard entry rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Kenya national park fees included in safari package prices? Most reputable tour operators include park fees in their quoted package price, but this isn’t universal — always confirm explicitly with your operator before booking.
Do children get free entry to Kenya’s national parks? Children under 6 typically enter free at KWS-managed parks like Amboseli and Nakuru. Age cutoffs and child rates vary at county-managed reserves like the Mara and Samburu, so confirm the specific policy for your destination.
Why does the Maasai Mara have different prices for different times of year? The Mara is managed by Narok County Government, not KWS, and introduced seasonal pricing to align fees with peak Great Migration demand (July–December).
Can I pay Kenya park fees in cash? Most parks accept both US dollars and Kenyan shillings in cash, along with cashless options like M-Pesa and card payment. Some reserves, like the Mara Triangle, are cashless-only — confirm payment methods before you travel.
How do I pay for KWS park entry in advance? KWS-managed parks can be paid for directly through the KWS eCitizen portal. County-managed reserves like the Mara and Samburu typically require payment through their respective county payment systems or on arrival at the gate.
Park fees are reviewed periodically by KWS and county governments and can change without notice. This guide reflects verified rates as of July 2026 — always confirm current pricing with KWS eCitizen or your tour operator before finalizing your safari budget.