The Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, has signed new regulations that overhaul previous entry fees to Kenya’s national parks, reserves, and conservation areas.
The proposed Wildlife Conservation and Management (Fees) Regulations, 2025, seen by Nairobile.co.ke, outline the identification requirements, fee exemptions, and a revised fee charge sheet.
In accordance with the regulations, national parks, national reserves, and sanctuaries have been categorized into mountain parks, premium parks, scenic parks, special interest parks, urban safaris, wilderness parks, marine parks, and marine reserves.
Wilderness parks, with category one being Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park, and category two being Meru National Park, Kora National Park, and Aberdare National Park, have a noticeable hike in adult entry fees by Ksh 485 and Ksh 500, respectively. The previous fees for category one increased from Ksh 550 to Ksh 1000, and category two increased from Ksh 300 to Ksh 800.
Notably, scenic parks such as Hells Gate, Mt. Longonot, Mt. Elgon, Ol Donyo Sabuk, Shimba Hills, Kakamega, Marsabit and Lake Elementaita Wildlife Sanctuary have hiked from the previous Ksh 300 to Ksh 500.
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The fees for marine protected areas such as Kisite Mpunguti, Watamu, Mombasa, Malindi, Kiunga, and Diani Chale have hiked from Ksh 215 to Ksh 500.
Any person seeking to enter, access, or undertake activities in protected areas will be required to present specific identification documents based on their citizenship or status. Kenyan citizens will be required to produce their national identification cards, while East African and African citizens must show a valid passport.
The regulations also introduce exemptions from entry and access fees for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and infants, who will be allowed to enter national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries without paying, provided they can show the relevant identification documents as specified.
Additionally, fishing boats operated by Beach Management Units (BMUs) will no longer be required to pay boat anchoring fees within conservation areas.
