Kenya’s 2024 Park Fee Increase

Tourists watching elephants in the Masai Mara

Kenya’s game reserves and national parks, including the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, are increasing park entry fees as of 1 January 2024.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) oversees twenty-five terrestrial national parks, twenty-nine terrestrial national reserves, four marine national parks, six marine national reserves, six national wildlife sanctuaries, and three captive wildlife management facilities.  The primary goal of KWS is to ensure these natural treasures are effectively preserved for future generations.

While these entry fee increases may seem substantial, they are expected to have a positive impact on the parks:

  • Enhanced Conservation: The increased revenue will bolster conservation efforts, including more ranger patrols, anti-poaching initiatives, and wildlife protection measures.
  • Improved Infrastructure: The additional funds will lead to better-maintained roads and park infrastructure, enhancing visitor experiences.
  • Protection of Biodiversity: The parks can intensify their efforts to safeguard Kenya’s diverse and rich biodiversity.
  • Enriched Safari Experience: Guests can look forward to a more fulfilling safari experience in the high season, with the prospect of fewer vehicles, all while knowing their contributions support the preservation of this unique ecosystem.

Maasai Mara Park Fee is now a 12-hour ticket

Effective from July 1, 2023, there was a modification to the validity period of entry fees, where the daily park entry fee for the Masai Mara was adjusted from 24 hours to 12 hours. As a result, every guest must possess a valid park ticket for each night they spend in the Mara Reserve. On the day of departure, guests must be at the airstrip or leave the reserve by 10 a.m.

The Narok County government has clarified that this fee adjustment is essential to cover the increasing costs of managing and conserving the reserve. We appreciate your continued support and commitment to the preservation of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Together, we can ensure its long-term protection and sustainability.

Safaris that use the private conservancies around the Masai Mara, will be impacted the least. We include 1x entry fee for all guests staying 3-nights (2 days) in a Mara Conservancy. This means that the price increase will only be applicable on 1x entry. On the other day, guests will continue with game drives within the conservancy.

Understanding Park Fee Increases

The switch from a 24-hour to a 12-hour pricing scheme substantially changes the fee structure. This transformation has already begun. In practice, if guests do not leave the park by 10:00 hours they will be charged an additional day fee on the day of departure. Those with late departures or afternoon flights are affected.

New park entry fees as of 1 January, 2024

The below entry fees are per adult, per day.

2023
All seasons
2024 Low Season
2024 High Season
Masai Mara National ReserveUS$ 80US$ 100US$ 200
Tsavo East National ParkUS$ 52US$ 35US$ 80
Tsavo West National ParkUS$ 52US$ 35US$ 80
Amboseli National ParkUS$ 60US$ 80US$ 100
Lake Nakuru National ParkUS$ 60US$ 80US$ 100
Meru National Park/AberdaresUS$ 52US$ 35US$ 60
Nairobi National ParkUS$ 43US$ 100US$ 100
Mount Kenya National ParkUS$ 43US$ 30US$ 60

Click here to view all 2024 fees released by Kenya Wildlife Service.

Sheldrick Wildlife Orphanage, Nairobi National Park

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has also mandated that all those visiting The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust are required to pay park fees for Nairobi National Park. This is a shift from previous practices, where such fees were not required for visitors to the Elephant Nursery. As you will see from the above table, this fee is US$ 100 per person. Plus the entry fee of US$ 20 to visit the elephant orphanage.

Masai Mara National Reserve

From 01st JULY 2023, a 12-hour ticket validity has come into effect. Some of the points to note are that guests staying outside the reserve will be required to pay a daily entry fee wherein the ticket will be valid from 6am to 6pm.

DEPARTURE BY ROAD: All guests departing from the Masai Mara by road should exit the reserve not later than 10:00 hours. Exit beyond this time will incur an additional entry fee.

DEPARTURE BY AIR: Guests residing both inside and outside the reserve departing by air should arrive at the airstrip no later than 10:00 hours. Extension beyond this time will be considered an additional day in-park fee. A 2-hour transit ticket will be issued to guests coming from facilities outside the reserve, at the gate of entry, to allow them to reach the aistrips within the reserve.

Narok County Government has confirmed the Masai Mara Park Fees for 2024 will be increased to US$ 100 per non-resident adults per day from 1st January 2024 to 30th June 2024, and US$ 200 per non-resident adult per day, from 1st July 2024 onwards. Children rates will be US$ 50 per day per child. These increased rates were a proposal but have now been confirmed by the County Government as of mid-October 2023.

Please be advised that these proposed pricing adjustments are the result of decisions taken by the Narok County Government and the Kenya Wildlife Service, and they will apply to all confirmed and new bookings travelling after January 1, 2024.

We will contact impacted travellers to arrange the payment of these fees separately.

Hot Air Balloon Safari Landing fees to increase by US$ 30 in the Masai Mara.

All hot air balloon rides will now incur a US$ 30 landing fee. We are still working through pricing with the various balloon companies in the Masai Mara.