New Kenya Park Fees Structure 2024

Kenya’s recent decision to hike park entry fees and introduce mandatory online payments is causing concerns among tour operators, and I can understand why. As a state corporation responsible for managing national parks, Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) tripled park entry fees and implemented a centralized online payment platform.

This move has been made to streamline processes and generate revenue for conservation efforts.

The revised park fee structure in Kenya introduces the following alterations:

Starting January 2024, Kenyan and other East African Community (EAC) adults will be charged $14 for entry into urban parks like Nairobi National Park, while children’s fees will be $3.4.
Foreign adults from other parts of Africa will face a fee of $20, while international tourists will incur a charge of approximately $100.
Premium parks such as Amboseli and Lake Nakuru National Parks will implement a fee of $7 for adult visitors during the low season and $100 during the high season.
The duration of entry fee validity has been shortened from 24 hours to 12 hours, requiring guests to hold a valid park ticket for each night spent in the Mara Reserve.

These adjustments stem from a thorough analysis of feedback gathered during forums held in January 2023. They aim to bolster conservation efforts, enhance infrastructure, safeguard biodiversity, and offer visitors a more immersive safari experience.

Below is a table breakdown summary

High Season Kenya National Park New Rates

	Kenyan Resident (Ksh)	Kenyan Resident (Ksh)	Rest of Africa (USD)	Rest of Africa (USD)	International (USD)	International (USD)
Park	Adult	Child	Adult	Child	Adult	Child
Nairobi National Park	2000	500	50	20	100	35
Amboseli National Park	1000	500	50	20	100	35
Lake Nakuru National Park	1000	500	50	20	100	35
Tsavo East National Park	500	250	30	20	80	35
Tsavo West National Park	500	250	30	20	80	35
Meru National Park	500	250	30	20	60	35
Aberdare National Park	500	250	30	20	60	35

Low Season Kenya National Park New Rates

Below are the new rates being charged for the low season in Kenyan national parks

	Kenyan Resident (Ksh)	Kenyan Resident (Ksh)	Rest of Africa (USD)	Rest of Africa (USD)	International (USD)	International (USD)
Park	Adult	Child	Adult	Child	Adult	Child
Nairobi National Park	2000	500	25	10	100	20
Amboseli National Park	800	250	35	10	80	20
Lake Nakuru National Park	800	250	35	10	80	20
Tsavo East National Park	300	250	18	10	35	20
Tsavo West National Park	300	250	18	10	35	25
Meru National Park	300	250	18	10	25	20
Aberdare National Park	300	250	18	10	25	20

Procedure of Payment of Kenya National Park Fees

KWS is no longer accepting cash payments for park fees to enable you enter its national park. All visitors will now have to pay for park fees through the eCitizen platform.

This new payment system aims to centralize government services and increase accountability while streamlining the payment process for visitors to Kenya’s national parks.

Masai Mara National Reserve New Park Fees

The new Masai Mara game reserve fees, effective from January 1, 2024, include the following changes:

Non-resident adults will pay $100 per day from July 1, 2024, onwards
Children visiting the Masai Mara National Park from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, will start paying $50 per day.
The park fees for East African residents vary, with Kenyan citizens paying Ksh. 1,000 for adults and Ksh. 200 for children and students.
The vehicle charges range from Ksh. 400 for vehicles with 5 seats or less to Ksh. 5,000 for vehicles with 45 seats and above per day.
The park entry fees are valued for 24 hours from the time of entry, and guests must leave the park by 10:00 AM on the day of departure to avoid additional day fees.

How To Pay Park Fees At Masai Mara Game Reserve

To pay the Masai Mara park fees, international tourist payments will be paid by their tour operator or travel agent. If you want to pay yourself, you can use their credit cards either in Nairobi city or at the park gates of Oloololo gate, Purungat Bridget, or Serena Airstrip.

The park fees are valued for 24 hours from the time of entry, and rates can also be influenced by where one is staying during their trip in Masai Mara.

Guests staying at specific lodges like Mara Serena Lodge and Little Governor’s Camp receive a $10 discount on park entry fees.

East African residents need to present their national identity card or passport to prove their resident status at the park gate. Payment can be made in cash using US Dollars or Kenya Shillings at the entry gates, except for those paying for entry to the Mara Triangle.

Planning A Safari in Kenya?

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Reviews About Mara Gates Safaris

Below are some of the live reviews made concerning Mara Gates Safaris

Mara Gates Safaris

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Based on 27 reviews

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Luis Eduardo Torres R.

12:29 27 Dec 19

Unbelievable experience! From planning and booking with Agnes, up to our last day, everything was great!Our driver, Jackson, was AMAZING! He definitely a big factor in making our experience so unique.

rommel carlos

21:27 17 Oct 19

Agnes of Mara Gates always responds within 24 hours regarding any of my inquiries. She made the process very easy and always accommodated changes to our itinerary. Ken our driver/guide is very knowledgeable about animals and their behavior. Will definitely book another Safari trip with Mara Gates.!!!

Robert Schlag

21:43 14 Oct 19

Mara Gates provided us with an experience of a lifetime. The places that we visited were breathtakingly beautiful, the variety and number of animals and flora were spectacular. And our guide, Ken, was so courteous, knowledgeable, and organized. The depth of his knowledge and explanations of animal behavior and the local environments was like traveling with a patient university professor of zoology, ornithology, and botany. Our lodging, food, and their support service staff were excellent. I give this company and its guide my highest recommendation. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Malou Carlos

20:46 10 Oct 19

We had a wonderful 9-day safari with Mara Gates. My husband found their website and came up with a custom-made itinerary, that Agnes gladly accommodated and made it even better. Communicating with them was so easy because Agnes responds promptly. As soon as their office is open in Nairobi, they respond to our email inquiries quickly. We also met her at our hotel and we discussed the itinerary and she gave us pointers on what to expect during our trip. On the morning of the beginning of our safari, Ken our guide and driver promptly arrived and packed our van. Ken is a very intelligent, knowledgeable, wonderful person who gave us quick lessons on the different types of animals, birds, reptiles and also gave us lessons on their behavior. We would really like to go back and do another safari with Mara Gates, and most especially with Ken. Thank you so much for a wonderful trip!

Rob Lovemore

09:55 07 Oct 19

our family booked a hot air balloon trip with Mara Gates. A very good driver collected us from our camp in a smart closed body Toyota Landcruiser. Our camp was nearly an hours drive from the balloon site so it was a good commitment. Hot air ballooning is a must for visitors to the Mara. It's expensive but well worth it. We had a very competent pilot from Switzerland. The open air breakfast on the plains after we landed was also excellent. Then the same driver took us back home again. A great day out. Thanks Mara Gates.

ABHIJIT MANNA

02:36 03 Sep 19

We booked our African Safari trip with Mara Gates Safaris in May, '19. This was one of the best trips we have made so far and thanks to Mara Gates Safaris, it became the most memorable one. We received all the help we needed starting from the booking until the end of the trip. Special thanks to our guide Ken who enlightened us so much about the nature and behavior of the animals in the wild and took us to some of the best viewing spots over the different parks.

A Google User

14:20 29 Aug 19

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our safari with Mara Gates. They were helpful from initial enquiries, through changes, to the final stop of getting us to the airport. The guide, hotels and meals were all excellent. Our guide took great pains to ensure that we saw 'all' the animals and were able to take wonderful photos. We have great memories of this trip. At 84 and 72, we were comfortable all the way and felt well cared for. We would highly recommend this company and in fact we have to several friends. On another note, we had to cancel an earlier booking with this company because of an unexpected hospitalization. They were most kind and considerate and expeditiously handled refunds of our down-payment. Finally, from what I have seen, their prices are very good and certainly fall into the category of 'good value for the money'.

Maurine Limo

12:12 10 Dec 18

I had a wonderful experience with Mara Gates Safaris. I wanted a 5 day trip to the coastal town and they got me a very good safari. They are highly organized, excellent communicators- never once did I not get my queries answered and very accommodating. Everything went exactly as scheduled and discussed. Ms. Agnes is easy to work with and a professional in her line of duty. First time with Mara Gates and I will definitely be using them.

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Effect of Increase in Park Fees in Kenya

There has been ongoing discussions of what the effect of the increase in park fees will have on Kenyan tourism at large compared to its competitor Tanzania. Here are some points raised, both pros and cons

Pros:

Increased revenue: Higher park fees can generate additional revenue for Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS), which can be used for conservation efforts, infrastructure development, and biodiversity protection.
Conservation funding: The additional funds raised from increased park fees can contribute to better management of national parks, including anti-poaching measures, habitat restoration, and wildlife monitoring.
Improved visitor experience: With more resources available, national parks can enhance visitor facilities, such as improved trails, visitor centers, and amenities, leading to a better overall experience for tourists.
Sustainable tourism: By charging higher park fees, Kenya can encourage more sustainable tourism practices, such as limiting visitor numbers and promoting eco-friendly activities, to minimize environmental impact.

Cons:

Decreased affordability: Higher park fees may make it less affordable for local and regional visitors, limiting access to natural attractions for those who cannot afford the increased costs.
Reduced competitiveness: Increased fees could make Kenya less competitive compared to other safari destinations in Africa, leading tourists to choose alternative destinations with lower costs.
Impact on tourism industry: A significant hike in park fees may deter tourists, resulting in a decline in visitor numbers and revenue for the tourism industry as a whole, affecting businesses and livelihoods dependent on tourism.
Negative perception: Some tourists may perceive the increased fees as exploitative or unjustified, potentially tarnishing Kenya’s image as a tourist-friendly destination and impacting its long-term tourism appeal.

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