Kenya National Park Entry Fees 2026: KWS & Masai Mara

What a safari day costs with park fees

• Budget

  ≈ USD 115–195

  per person per day, non-resident

  Budget camping or basic bandas, group joining safari, green season rates. Park fees are the biggest cost — budget everything else around them.

  Sample day

  • Tsavo East entry (KES 10,320 non-resident)
  • +basic campsite (KES 3,870)
  • +vehicle share in group safari (KES 2,500)
  • +packed meals (KES 1,500)
  • =~KES 18,190

  Kenyan citizens can do the same day for under KES 5,000.

• Mid-range

  ≈ USD 270–505

  per person per day, non-resident

  Mid-range tented camp or lodge, private vehicle with guide, full board. The sweet spot for most safari visitors — comfortable without being extravagant.

  Sample day

  • Amboseli entry (KES 11,610 non-resident)
  • +mid-range tented camp full board (KES 25,800–38,700)
  • +private game drive vehicle included in camp rate
  • =KES 37,410–50,310

• Luxury

  ≈ USD 620–1,940

  per person per day, non-resident

  Premium lodge or exclusive conservancy camp, all-inclusive with private guide, game drives, bush meals. Conservancy fees often included in the nightly rate.

  Sample day

  Masai Mara conservancy (fee included) + luxury tented camp like Angama Mara (from USD 1,850/KES 238,650 per night all-inclusive) + private guide, game drives, bush breakfast, sundowners all included. Park entry fees are typically wrapped into the rate.

Premium Parks (Amboseli & Lake Nakuru)

Masai Mara National Reserve

Wilderness Parks (Tsavo, Meru, Aberdare, Mt Kenya)

Private Conservancies

Scenic & Adventure Parks

Vehicle Entry & Marine Parks

Money tips

• Visit during green season (Jan–Jun) to save 50% on Masai Mara entry fees — USD 100 vs USD 200 in peak season.
• KWS parks now use the eCitizen/KWSPay digital payment system. Register online before your trip to avoid delays at the gate. Some parks no longer accept cash.
• If you hold an East African passport (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi), always carry it — citizen rates are up to 87% cheaper than non-resident rates.

• Kenya residents with a foreign passport should carry their alien registration card or work permit to qualify for resident rates (e.g., KES 2,025 vs USD 90 at Amboseli).
• Multi-day safaris: park fees are charged per 24 hours (KWS) or per 12-hour day (Masai Mara). A 3-day Mara safari in peak season costs USD 600 in entry fees alone per adult.
• Private conservancy fees (Olare Motorogi, Naboisho, Mara North) are almost always included in your lodge rate — confirm before booking to avoid surprise charges.
• Vehicle fees are per vehicle, not per person — travelling in a group spreads this cost. A KES 600 car fee split 4 ways is just KES 150 each.
• The KWS Smart Card (annual membership) offers unlimited park access and can save heavy visitors significant money — ask at any KWS gate or check kws.go.ke.
• Avoid paying for park entry through unofficial intermediaries at the gate. Always use the official KWSPay portal, your tour operator, or the gate's own card/M-Pesa terminal.
• Budget hack: Nairobi National Park (USD 80) offers Big Four sightings (no elephant) just 15 minutes from the city — great value for a half-day safari without the travel costs of reaching the Mara.