Kenyans are in for a special treat on Saturday, 27 September 2025, as the gates to the country’s national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries swing open free of charge in honour of World Tourism Day.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) confirmed that visitors will enjoy free access to all KWS-managed destinations, except Lake Nakuru National Park.
KWS had initially listed Lake Nakuru among the parks offering free entry, but later clarified that it would not be included.
"The public is hereby notified that there shall be no free entry to Lake Nakuru National Park, tomorrow Saturday, 27th September 2025," KWS said in a statement.
The agency advised visitors with prepaid eCitizen tickets to access the park via Nderit Gate between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm on Saturday, noting that the Main Gate (Flamingo area) and Lanet Gate would remain closed.
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KWS did not explain why Lake Nakuru was excluded from the initiative.
The free entry was first announced by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano in a notice on Tuesday, 23 September, to mark United Nations World Tourism Day.
"To honor this significant occasion, I am thrilled to announce that the Government of Kenya is offering free entry to all Kenyan citizens to visit Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)-managed national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries on Saturday, September 27th, 2025," the notice read in part.
Miano said the initiative aims to help Kenyans reconnect with the country’s wildlife heritage, strengthen conservation efforts, and experience the beauty of natural treasures.
"By opening the gates to these iconic spaces, we aim to foster a greater appreciation of Kenya’s rich biodiversity and inspire a shared responsibility to protect it for generations to come.
"We invite all Kenyans to take advantage of this opportunity to explore, learn, and celebrate the wonders of our parks, reserves, and sanctuaries, which are not just Kenya’s pride but the world’s heritage," she stated.
Free entry will apply across the country, including Aberdare (Nyeri and Nyandarua), Amboseli (Kajiado), Central Island (Lake Turkana), Chyulu Hills (Kibwezi), Hell’s Gate (Naivasha), Kakamega Forest (Kakamega), Kisite Mpunguti (Shimoni), Kisumu Impala Sanctuary (Kisumu), Kiunga Marine (Lamu), and Kora (Meru–Tana River border).
Other sites include Lake Elementaita Wildlife Sanctuary (Elementaita), Malindi Marine (Malindi), Malka Mari (Mandera), Marsabit (Marsabit), Meru (Meru and Tharaka Nithi), Mombasa Marine (Mombasa), Mount Elgon (Bungoma and Trans Nzoia), Mount Kenya (Nyeri, Nanyuki, and Chogoria), and Mount Longonot (Mai Mahiu).
In addition, Mwea National Reserve (Embu), the Nairobi Animal Orphanage, Nairobi National Park, and Nairobi Safari Walk will be free to access. Also included are Ndere Island (Kisumu), Ol Donyo Sabuk (Donyo Sabuk Centre), Ruma (Homa Bay), Saiwa Swamp (Kitale), Shimba Hills (Kwale), and Sibiloi (Turkana).
The list further extends to the South Island (Lake Turkana), Tsavo East (Voi), Tsavo West (Mtito Andei), and Watamu Marine (Watamu), giving Kenyans and visitors a wide variety of natural wonders to explore at no cost.
In the same spirit, the National Museums of Kenya announced free entry to all its museums, sites, and monuments across the country on Saturday, 27 September, and Sunday, 28 September.
“This offer is exclusively available to Kenyan citizens. We welcome you to take this opportunity to explore, learn, and celebrate Kenya's rich cultural and natural heritage,” the notice read in part.
