- New entry fees for national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries take effect October 1, 2025.
- Changes anchored in Wildlife Conservation and Management (Fees) Regulations 2025.
- Payments already made via eCitizen before the announcement remain valid.
- First comprehensive review in 18 years, aimed at boosting conservation and tourism.
- Fees to support sustainability, better infrastructure, and improved visitor experience.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has confirmed that revised conservation fees for entry into the country’s national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries will be enforced from Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
The changes are set out in the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access, Entry and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations 2025 (Legal Notice No. 160 of 2025), which were passed by Parliament on September 25, 2025.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the government is committed to ensuring a seamless transition, stressing that the review was necessary to sustain conservation efforts and improve visitor experiences.
KWS Director General Erustus Kanga reassured local and international visitors that all valid eCitizen payments made before the announcement will be honoured.
“KWS will honour eCitizen payments made before this announcement, and the revised fees will therefore apply only to new bookings made for October 1 onwards,” DG Kanga said.
According to KWS, the new regulations follow a year-long consultative process that involved conservation stakeholders, the tourism sector, and the public.
Officials noted that the last full review of conservation fees was conducted 18 years ago, despite growing costs in managing protected areas and a rapidly expanding tourism sector.
Authorities say the revised fees are designed to enhance financial sustainability, modernise park infrastructure, and improve services across Kenya’s conservation areas.
The move is also aimed at keeping Kenya’s parks and reserves competitive on the global stage while protecting the country’s diverse wildlife heritage.
