Travel information
Nairobi National Park fees
Entry charges are set by the Kenya Wildlife Service, charged per person per 24 hours, and collected at the gate — vehicles, the Safari Walk and the Animal Orphanage are charged on top.
Nairobi National Park uses four visitor categories — East African citizen, Kenya resident, African citizen and non resident — and each has an adult and a child rate. The rates below are the current published entry charges. Bring your ID, passport or residency document, because the category you can prove at the gate is the rate you pay.
| Category | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| EA CitizenCitizens of Kenya and other East African Community states, with a national ID or passport. | KES 1,000 | KES 500 |
| Kenya ResidentForeign nationals holding a valid Kenyan work permit, dependant pass or alien ID. | KES 1,350 | KES 675 |
| African CitizenCitizens of African countries outside the East African Community. | USD 40 | USD 20 |
| Non ResidentAll other international visitors, including tourists on a visitor visa. | USD 80 | USD 40 |
Rates are per person per 24 hours and are reviewed periodically by the Kenya Wildlife Service. We confirm the exact current charge with every enquiry.
Vehicles
Vehicle entry charges
Every vehicle entering the park pays its own daily fee in addition to the per-person entry charge.
| Vehicle | Charge |
|---|---|
| Vehicle, less than 6 seats | KES 300 per vehicle per day |
| Vehicle, 6 to 12 seats | KES 1,030 per vehicle per day |
| Vehicle, 13 to 24 seats | KES 2,585 per vehicle per day |
| Vehicle, 25 to 44 seats | KES 4,050 per vehicle per day |
| Foreign registered vehicle, less than 6 seats | KES 1,030 per vehicle per day |
Extras
What is charged separately
Park entry covers game driving only. These attractions and services sit outside the entry ticket.
| Nairobi Safari Walk | Charged separately from park entry, at the Main Gate complex |
|---|---|
| Animal Orphanage | Charged separately from park entry, at the Main Gate complex |
| Picnic sites (Impala, Kingfisher, Mokoyiet) | Small per-person site fee on top of entry |
| Special campsites | Per-person camping fee on top of entry, booked in advance with KWS |
| Filming and commercial photography | Permit required in advance from KWS headquarters |
How to pay your park fees
All Kenya Wildlife Service gates — Main Gate on Langata Road, East Gate, Cheetah Gate and Masai Gate — are cashless. You can pay by Visa or Mastercard, by M-Pesa, or buy tickets in advance through the KWS eCitizen portal and arrive with a QR code. Cash is not accepted, and card machines occasionally go offline, so having the M-Pesa option set up saves a long wait.
If you are staying at a lodge or travelling with an operator, the fees are usually bought for you. Guests of the lodges on the park and anyone on one of our day safaris have entry handled at the gate as part of the drive.
How to keep the cost down
- Enter in the afternoon and use the same 24-hour ticket for the following morning drive, when predator activity is highest.
- Carry your original ID, passport or residency document — the resident and citizen rates are roughly a quarter of the non-resident rate.
- Share a vehicle. The vehicle charge is per car, not per person, so a full car spreads it across everyone.
- Combine the Safari Walk and Animal Orphanage in one visit rather than returning to the Main Gate on a separate day.
- Check whether your lodge rate already includes entry before paying twice — see the travel information page for what to expect at the gate.
FAQs
Nairobi National Park fees — common questions
How much does it cost to enter Nairobi National Park?+
A non-resident adult pays USD 80 per person per 24 hours and a non-resident child USD 40. East African citizens pay KES 1,000 per adult and KES 500 per child, Kenya residents pay KES 1,350 per adult and KES 675 per child, and African citizens from outside East Africa pay USD 40 per adult and USD 20 per child. Vehicles are charged separately from KES 300 per day.
How long does a Nairobi National Park ticket last?+
Entry is charged per 24 hours from the time you enter, so a single ticket can cover an afternoon drive and the following morning if you time your entry well. The park is open from 6am to 6pm and you must be out of the gate by 6pm.
Can I pay park fees in cash at the gate?+
No. Kenya Wildlife Service gates are cashless. Pay by Visa or Mastercard, by M-Pesa, or through the KWS eCitizen ticketing portal before you arrive. Most lodges and safari operators buy the tickets on your behalf.
What proof do residents and citizens need for the lower rate?+
Bring the original document. East African citizens need a national ID or passport, and Kenya residents need a work permit, dependant pass, special pass or alien ID. Without the document at the gate you will be charged the non-resident rate.
What counts as a child?+
Child rates apply to visitors under 18. Infants under three normally enter free. Students on organised school trips can apply for reduced group rates directly with KWS.
Are park fees included in lodge rates?+
It varies. The Emakoko includes park fees in its full-board rate, while Ololo Safari Lodge and Farm quotes rates that exclude park fees and adds them to your bill. Always check what is included before you book.
We will confirm the exact costs
Enquire and we will give you a full breakdown of park fees, vehicle charges, transfers and activities.