Kenya National Park Fees & Permits

1. National Park fees for KWS areas
2. National Park fees for the Masai Mara
3. National Park Fees for Samburu National Reserve
4. National Park Fees for Ol Pejeta Conservancy
5. Visiting National Parks in Tanzania
6. Ready to plan your Kenya adventure?

National Park fees for KWS areas

Disclaimer
We do our best to keep all information on this website accurate and up to date. However, no rights can be guaranteed or derived from the content. Please make sure to verify any details and prices yourself before relying on them.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) manages most of Kenya's parks. The average fees of the most visited parks are (per person per day): 

• Amboseli: USD 60
• Hell's Gate: USD 26
• Lake Nakuru: USD 60
• Meru: USD 52
• Mount Kenya: USD 52
• Nairobi National Park: USD 43
• Tsavo East: USD 52
• Tsavo West: USD 52

For a full list of KWS parks and their fees, you can visit their official website.

Arranging your permits
You can now easily arrange your park permits through the KWS online portal. Select the 'National Park Entry' option, apply for your permit, and you’re good to go. You’ll need an eCitizen account (the same one you use for a tourist visa), which you can create here in a few simple steps.

There are no visitor limits in KWS parks, so you won’t have to worry about availability at the gate. To stay flexible, we recommend purchasing permits a day before you plan to visit a park. This way, you can adjust your itinerary if needed.

Arranging permits online may seem like a hassle at first, but it’ll save you time and effort once you arrive. Giving you more time to enjoy your visit.

National Park fees for the Masai Mara

Important update for self-drivers

Self-driving in the Masai Mara is no longer allowed by the park authorities.

At Roadtrip Africa, we work with knowledgeable and friendly driver-guides who can make your visit even more enjoyable. They’ll help you spot wildlife, share stories about the Masai Mara, and ensure everything runs smoothly. 

If you only need a driver-guide for your Mara visit and not for your entire road trip in Kenya, we will arrange a ranger through our contact person at the Masai Mara Park office. This costs about  USD 40 per day. Just let us know, and we’ll be happy to help. 

Get in touch with us

Entrance gates to the Masai Mara

The Masai Mara ecosystem is divided into three main sections and several smaller private conservancies.

• Masai Mara National Reserve: Entry points include Sekenani (the busiest gate), Oloolaimutia, Talek (east), Musiara (north), and Purungat Mara River (south). 

• Mara Triangle: The main entry is through Oloololo Gate, but you’ll first need a transit permit from Sekenani Gate.

• Mara North Conservancy: This northern area is home to luxury lodges offering all-inclusive game drives, which are better suited for guided experiences than self-drivers.

Entrance fees
Entrance tickets to the Mara can be obtained on arrival at the gate. The Mara Reserve accepts payments by credit card, cash or M-Pesa (mobile money). Tickets for the Mara Triangle and Conservancies can only be paid for by credit card. 

It's good to know that the Masai Mara adopts a low-season rate (USD 100) from January to June and a high-season rate (USD 200) from July to December. If you’re staying outside the Reserve, your day permit is valid from 6 am to 6 pm. If you’re staying overnight inside the Reserve, you need to leave by 10 am. Leaving later than this incurs an extra charge.

Check the Masai Mara Reserve and Mara Triangle websites for the latest fees and rules. 

Private conservancies
The three main sections of the Masai Mara are surrounded by several private conservancies, like Naboisho, the largest one. If you stay at a lodge in a private conservancy, conservation fees are added to your hotel bill. If you camp in a conservancy, you still need to pay an entrance fee to visit the Reserve or Triangle, where most of the animals are found.

Plan your safari
Need more tips for visiting the Masai Mara? Read our blog ‘Visiting the Masai Mara’ for useful advice, or check out our example itineraries to start planning your trip.

National Park Fees for Samburu National Reserve

For Samburu, you can simply buy your permits upon arrival at the gate. Accepted payment methods include Visa and Mastercard, M-Pesa mobile money, or cash in either US Dollars or Kenyan Shillings.

The average park entry fees to Samburu National Reserve are USD 85 per adult (per 24 hours). For the latest information on fees and activities, please visit their website here.

National Park Fees for Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Planning to visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy? Permits are now only available through their online portal - you can’t buy them at the gate anymore. This makes it easy to book everything in one go, including your entrance permit, campsite booking, and any activities or experiences you’d like to try.

The average park fees for Ol Pejeta are USD 110 per person. For the most up-to-date information on fees and activities, check out their user-friendly website here.

Visiting National Parks in Tanzania

Planning to explore Tanzania’s national parks as part of your roadtrip? Keep in mind that Kenyan-registered vehicles are not allowed into Tanzanian parks and are usually turned away at the gate.

But no worries - we’ve got you covered. If you’re combining Kenya and Tanzania in one adventure, we can offer an easy vehicle swap. By using our rental fleet in both countries, we’ll ensure you have a smooth ride and reliable roadside support every step of the way.

Ready to plan your Kenya adventure?

We’re here to help! From practical advice on permits to arranging driver guides or a 4x4, we’ll assist you in planning your ultimate Kenya roadtrip.

Explore our example itineraries, get in touch, or book your car directly. 

Happy travels!