Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) entry fees for parks like Amboseli National Park vary depending on visitor status (citizens, residents, or non-residents), and the type of activities offered within the parks. Below is a breakdown of the key KWS entry fees based on the document provided, focusing on Amboseli National Park, which is categorized as a Premium Park.
Entry Fees for Amboseli National Park 2024 and 2025
- Adults (Non-Residents)
- US$ 60 per person per day
- Children/Students (Non-Residents)
- US$ 30 per person per day
- Adults (Citizens/Residents)
- KSHS 860 per person per day
- Children/Students (Citizens/Residents)
- KSHS 430 per person per day
Vehicle Fees:
- Vehicle entry fees for different vehicle types include:
- Less than 6 seats: KSHS 300
- 6 – 12 seats: KSHS 1,030
- 13 – 24 seats: KSHS 2,585
- 25 – 44 seats: KSHS 4,050
- 45 seats and above: KSHS 5,000
Additional Charges:
- Aircraft landing fees range from KSHS 300 to KSHS 3,015, depending on the size of the aircraft.
- Public and special campsites also carry additional fees:
- KSHS 1,720 for special campsites.
- KSHS 300 for public campsites.
- Other activities like night game drives and guided tours are available at extra costs:
- Night game drive: KSHS 2,155 per person per trip.
- Guided tours: From KSHS 1,720 to KSHS 3,015, depending on the duration.
Payment Methods:
KWS encourages cashless payments, which can be made via the eCitizen platform to expedite the park entry process.
For more detailed and up-to-date fees, you can visit the KWS website or use the eCitizen platform for reservations.
Proposed Amboseli Park Fee Increases and Court Suspension
In mid-2024, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) announced new park entry fee structures for national parks and reserves across Kenya, scheduled to take effect on 1 October 2025.
As reported on Amboseli NP’s website, the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi halted the implementation after a public petition challenged the steep increase, pending further review and public participation.
Proposed New Entry Fees for Amboseli National Park (Oct 1 2025)
Under the proposed KWS schedule, Amboseli (along with Lake Nakuru) would have been categorized as a premium park, reflecting its popularity and international profile.
| Visitor Category | Proposed Rate (KWS 2025 Tariff) | Current Rate (2024) | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenyan Citizen / East African Adult | KES 1,500 | KES 860 | +74% |
| Kenyan Citizen / East African Child (3–17 yrs) | KES 750 | KES 215 | +249% |
| Resident Adult (non-citizen) | KES 2,025 | KES 860 | +135% |
| Resident Child (3–17 yrs) | KES 1,050 | KES 215 | +388% |
| Non-Resident Adult | USD 90 | USD 60 | +50% |
| Non-Resident Child (3–17 yrs) | USD 45 | USD 35 | +29% |
| African Citizen Adult (outside EAC) | USD 50 | (new category) | — |
| African Citizen Child (outside EAC) | USD 25 | (new category) | — |
Children under 3 years would remain free, and all visitors would still be required to present a valid ID or passport at the park gates.
What the Increase Meant
If implemented, Amboseli’s adult non-resident fee would have risen from USD 60 to USD 90, placing it among Africa’s most expensive mid-sized parks.
For Kenyan and East African citizens, the fee nearly doubled, while for resident expatriates the increase was more than 100%.
The justification given by KWS was to:
- Fund park infrastructure upgrades
- Increase ranger capacity and wildlife monitoring
- Enhance community benefit-sharing in buffer zones
However, tourism associations and local stakeholders argued that the timing and scale of the increase could hurt domestic tourism and small safari operators still recovering from recent economic pressures.
Court Ruling and Current Status
On October 2, 2025, the Environment and Land Court (Milimani Law Courts) issued temporary conservatory orders suspending the new fee structure.
The court directed KWS to:
- Maintain current rates until a full hearing is concluded
- Conduct broader public consultations before any new tariff can take effect
As of late 2025, the old rates remain in force:
Current Valid Rates for Amboseli National Park (2024–2025)
| Category | Adult | Child (3–17 yrs) |
|---|---|---|
| Citizen (Kenyan) | KES 860 | KES 215 |
| Resident | KES 860 | KES 215 |
| Non-Resident | USD 60 | USD 35 |
💡 Children under 3 years: free entry
🧾 Valid ID or passport required; citizens must show national ID, residents must show valid permit
KWS Proposed Rate Increase
As indicated by this Kambu Campers post, the 2024/25 proposed fee increases for national parks, including Amboseli, have not been implemented. The High Court issued an injunction blocking the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) from enforcing the new rates, citing a lack of adequate public participation.
Until the matter is resolved, the current 2022/23 fees remain in place. Tourism stakeholders, including camps and lodges around the parks, expressed concerns that the significant fee hikes could deter visitors and harm the local economy. The future of these proposed changes depends on further legal proceedings and revisions to the public participation process.
Below are the details of the rates that KWS had proposed for Amboseli Park;
Proposed Increases; Amboseli National Park Entry Fees
| Visitor Category | High Season (July to March) | Low Season (March to June) |
|---|---|---|
| EAC Citizens (Adult) | KSH 2,000 | KSH 1,500 |
| EAC Citizens (Child/Student) | KSH 1,000 | KSH 750 |
| Rest of Africa Residents (Adult) | KSH 3,000 | KSH 2,500 |
| Rest of Africa Residents (Child/Student) | KSH 2,000 | KSH 1,500 |
| International Visitors (Adult) | USD 70 | USD 60 |
| International Visitors (Child/Student) | USD 40 | USD 30 |
Vehicle Fees:Proposed
The following vehicle fees apply per day for entry into Amboseli National Park:
| Vehicle Type | Fee (KSH) |
|---|---|
| Less than 6 seats | 300 |
| 6 – 12 seats | 1,030 |
| 13 – 24 seats | 2,585 |
| 25 – 44 seats | 4,050 |
| 45 seats and above | 5,000 |
Aircraft Landing Fees: Proposed
| Aircraft Type | Fee (KSH) |
|---|---|
| Aircraft with less than 3 seats | 300 |
| Aircraft with 3-6 seats | 500 |
| Aircraft with 7-14 seats | 1,000 |
| Aircraft with 15-20 seats | 2,155 |
| Aircraft with more than 21 seats | 3,015 |
Campsite Fees: proposed
- Public Campsite:
- KSH 300 per adult (EAC Citizens/Residents)
- KSH 1,720 for international visitors
- Special Campsite:
- KSH 1,500 per adult (EAC Citizens/Residents)
- KSH 3,015 for international visitors
Additional Activities: proposed
- Night Game Drives: KSH 2,155 per person
- Guided Tours: Ranges from KSH 1,720 to KSH 3,015 depending on duration
- Boat Tours: KSH 1,290 per person per hour
Comparison with of 2022-2023 Rates vs 2024-2025 Rates
| Visitor Category | 2022-2023 (High Season) – Still In Effect | 2024-2025 (High Season) – Halted by a Court Ruling | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| EAC Citizens (Adult) | KSH 860 | KSH 2,000 | 132.6% |
| EAC Citizens (Child/Student) | KSH 430 | KSH 1,000 | 132.6% |
| International Visitors (Adult) | USD 60 | USD 70 | 16.6% |
| International Visitors (Child/Student) | USD 30 | USD 40 | 33.3% |
This comparison highlights a significant increase, especially for East African citizens, whose fees have more than doubled between the previous and current seasons. For international visitors, the changes are moderate, particularly for adults with a 16.6% increase.
Amboseli is still more affordable than Masai Mara
When comparing Amboseli National Park fees to those of the Masai Mara, it’s clear that despite the proposed increase in Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) fees for Amboseli, Amboseli remains more affordable. Here’s an expert comparison based on the current and upcoming rates:
Masai Mara Fees (Effective from July 2024):
- Non-Resident Adult: USD 200 per person
- Non-Resident Child (9-17 years): USD 50 per person
- Children below 9 years: Free
Amboseli National Park (2024-2025 Fees):
- Non-Resident Adult: USD 70 per person
- Non-Resident Child (Student): USD 40 per person
Even after Amboseli’s fee increase is given a green light by the High Court, the charges for non-resident adults at Amboseli are approximately 2.85 times lower than the new Masai Mara fees, and for non-resident children, Amboseli remains more affordable with 1.25 times lower rates compared to Masai Mara.
This considerable difference underscores Amboseli as a more budget-friendly safari destination, even with its scenic views of Mount Kilimanjaro and large elephant populations. This price gap is critical for tourists seeking affordable wildlife experiences, particularly for non-residents planning multiple park visits across Kenya.
In summary, Amboseli National Park still offers a more cost-effective alternative to the Masai Mara, with its fees remaining significantly lower despite the proposed increases.
Below is a PDF document with entrance fees currently in effect;