KWS admission by park
Use the visitor category that applies to your documents. The October 2025 KWS schedule separates East African citizens, Kenya residents, other African citizens and non-residents. Its non-resident column should not be used as the default for every person who lives outside Kenya.
| Park / protected area | Non-resident adult (USD) | Non-resident child/student (USD) | African citizen adult (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amboseli; Lake Nakuru | 90 | 45 | 50 |
| Nairobi National Park | 80 | 40 | 40 |
| Tsavo East; Tsavo West | 80 | 40 | 40 |
| Aberdare; Meru; Kora | 70 | 40 | 40 |
| Mount Kenya | 70 | 35 | 30 |
| Hell’s Gate; Mount Longonot; scenic parks | 50 | 25 | 20 |
| Special-interest parks in the tariff | 40 | 20 | 20 |
| Nairobi Safari Walk; Animal Orphanage; Kisumu Impala Sanctuary | 25 | 15 | 15 |
| Marine protected areas: Watamu, Malindi, Mombasa, Kisite Mpunguti, Kiunga, Diani Chale | 25 | 15 | 15 |
Table source checked 20 September 2026. KWS distinguishes non-residents, other African citizens, East African citizens and Kenya residents. Vehicle, camping and activity charges are separate. A daily fee is a single access valid for no more than 24 hours; do not assume multiple re-entry rights.
Citizenship and residence
Carry the evidence required for the selected category. A passport establishes nationality; a residence permit may establish a different entitlement. A lodge reservation, temporary holiday address or verbal claim of residence is not the same thing.
The published KWS sheet contains both a child definition beginning at five and an exemption describing children aged five and younger. If a traveller is exactly at that boundary, ask KWS to confirm rather than resolving the ambiguity by guesswork.
| Park category | East African citizen (KES) | Kenya resident (KES) |
|---|---|---|
| Amboseli / Lake Nakuru | 1,500 | 2,025 |
| Nairobi / Tsavo East / Tsavo West | 1,000 | 1,350 |
| Aberdare / Mount Kenya | 800 | 1,100 |
| Scenic parks | 500 | 675 |
| Sanctuaries | 300 | 405 |
| Marine protected areas | 500 | 675 |
Carry the identity or residence evidence required by KWS. Residence and citizenship are different categories.
Maasai Mara is a separate payment system
The Mara is a national reserve with county and local operating arrangements, not a KWS national park. For the Mara Triangle, Mara Conservancy publishes seasonal rates and specific rules linked to where visitors stay. Confirm the applicable side and gate with your accommodation.
The Conservancy says Triangle fees are paid through its authorised KAPS channels and that cash is not accepted for park fees; M-Pesa and card payments are supported. A traveller staying in the Triangle who transits the Narok side is told not to pay at Sekenani before reaching the Triangle’s relevant entry point. Follow the current instructions for your actual route.
| Ticket / visitor | January-June | July-December |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, published seasonal rate | USD 100 | USD 200 |
| Child aged 9-17 | USD 50 | USD 50 |
| Child aged 8 or younger | Free | Free |
Mara Conservancy publishes the operating rules for the Mara Triangle. Confirm the current Narok/Main Reserve rules separately for an eastern-side booking. A 12-hour ticket covers 06:00-18:00 and does not carry overnight; accommodation location and departure arrangements matter.
Sources: Mara Conservancy: conservation fees
Conservancy fees and additional charges
A conservancy adjoining the reserve has its own land-management and access arrangements. Ask whether its conservation fee is included in the accommodation rate, whether reserve entry is extra and which activities your stay permits. Do not add a random “Mara conservancy fee” to every reserve visit.
KWS separately lists vehicle, camping and activity fees. A ticket for one person is not necessarily a ticket for a car or a guided experience. The published daily admission is single access for no more than 24 hours; check re-entry and overnight conditions before planning a lunch outside the gate.
Sources: KWS conservation fees: October 2025 tariff · Mara Conservancy: conservation fees · Ol Pejeta Conservancy: visitor information · Ol Pejeta Conservancy - published daily entry fees
Build the true park budget
For each day, list the protected area, visitor category, number of people, vehicle, activity and overnight arrangements. Ask a packaged safari provider to identify which lines are already included. This avoids comparing an all-inclusive quote with a bare entry fee.
As a simple arithmetic example, two non-resident adults entering Amboseli under the published USD 90 rate have USD 180 in personal admission before vehicle or other charges. That is an admission calculation, not a complete safari budget. Keep each estimate attached to the tariff and dates used.
Questions & answers
Can I use a KWS ticket in Maasai Mara?
No. The Mara reserve and surrounding conservancies have separate charging and operating arrangements.
Are Amboseli and Tsavo the same price?
The published KWS non-resident adult rates are USD 90 for Amboseli and USD 80 for each Tsavo park.
Does one fee cover every conservancy?
No. Confirm the named conservancy’s rate and whether it is included in your lodge booking.
Can I pay the Mara Triangle park fee in cash?
Mara Conservancy says it does not accept cash for park fees and lists cashless payment channels. Check your exact entry arrangements before arrival.
Sources & verification
Checked on 21 September 2026. Prices apply only to the visitor category and dates stated. Route timings, suggested stays and budget scenarios are editorial planning estimates unless a source is specified.
- KWS conservation fees: October 2025 tariff - checked 20 September 2026.
- Mara Conservancy: conservation fees - checked 20 September 2026.
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy: visitor information - checked 20 September 2026.
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy - published daily entry fees - checked 21 September 2026. The official page lists admission separately from vehicle and optional programme charges. Confirm the dated complete booking quote.
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