Kenya National Parks & Wildlife Directory

Explore Kenya's national parks, reserves, and conservancies. Find entry fees for citizens, residents, and tourists, plus wildlife highlights and best visiting seasons.

Transport & TravelKenya Wildlife Service (kws.go.ke)Updated annually

20 parks found

Maasai Mara National Reserve

National Reserve • Narok County • 1,510 km²

Rift Valley

LionLeopardElephantBuffaloWildebeestZebra+2 more

Citizen (Adult)

KES 500

Resident (Adult)

KES 1,200

Non-Resident

$80

Best: July – October (Great Migration) Lodges, tented camps, camping

Amboseli National Park

National Park • Kajiado County • 392 km²

Rift Valley

ElephantLionCheetahGiraffeZebraWildebeest+1 more

Citizen (Adult)

KES 500

Resident (Adult)

KES 1,200

Non-Resident

$60

Best: June – October (dry season) Lodges, camping

Tsavo East National Park

National Park • Taita Taveta County • 13,747 km²

Coast

ElephantLionLeopardBuffaloBlack RhinoHippo+1 more

Citizen (Adult)

KES 500

Resident (Adult)

KES 1,200

Non-Resident

$52

Best: June – October Lodges, camps, camping

Tsavo West National Park

National Park • Taita Taveta County • 9,065 km²

Coast

ElephantLionLeopardBuffaloBlack RhinoHippo

Citizen (Adult)

KES 500

Resident (Adult)

KES 1,200

Non-Resident

$52

Best: June – October Lodges, camps

Lake Nakuru National Park

National Park • Nakuru County • 188 km²

Rift Valley

FlamingoRhinoLionLeopardBuffaloRothschild's Giraffe

Citizen (Adult)

KES 500

Resident (Adult)

KES 1,200

Non-Resident

$60

Best: Year-round Lodges, camping

Nairobi National Park

National Park • Nairobi County • 117 km²

Nairobi

LionLeopardBuffaloGiraffeZebraRhino+1 more

Citizen (Adult)

KES 430

Resident (Adult)

KES 860

Non-Resident

$43

Best: Year-round Day visit only

Mount Kenya National Park

National Park • Nyeri County • 715 km²

Central

ElephantBuffaloGiant Forest HogBlack RhinoColobus Monkey

Citizen (Adult)

KES 500

Resident (Adult)

KES 1,200

Non-Resident

$52

Best: January – February, July – October (climbing) Mountain huts, camping, lodges

Aberdare National Park

National Park • Nyandarua County • 767 km²

Central

ElephantBuffaloGiant Forest HogLeopardBongoColobus Monkey

Citizen (Adult)

KES 300

Resident (Adult)

KES 800

Non-Resident

$30

Best: January – March, July – October Treetops Lodge, The Ark, camping

Lake Bogoria National Reserve

National Reserve • Baringo County • 107 km²

Rift Valley

FlamingoGreater KuduImpalaZebra

Citizen (Adult)

KES 300

Resident (Adult)

KES 600

Non-Resident

$25

Best: Year-round Camping, nearby hotels

Samburu National Reserve

National Reserve • Samburu County • 165 km²

Eastern

Grevy's ZebraReticulated GiraffeGerenukBeisa OryxSomali OstrichElephant+2 more

Citizen (Adult)

KES 300

Resident (Adult)

KES 900

Non-Resident

$70

Best: June – September Luxury lodges, camps

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Conservancy • Laikipia County • 364 km²

Central

Black RhinoWhite RhinoChimpanzeeLionElephantBuffalo

Citizen (Adult)

KES 800

Resident (Adult)

KES 2,500

Non-Resident

$90

Best: June – October Lodges, camps

Hell's Gate National Park

National Park • Nakuru County • 68 km²

Rift Valley

BuffaloZebraGiraffeHartebeestBaboonRaptor birds

Citizen (Adult)

KES 215

Resident (Adult)

KES 430

Non-Resident

$26

Best: Year-round Camping

Lake Naivasha

National Park • Nakuru County • 139 km²

Rift Valley

HippoFish EagleGiraffeZebraPelican

Citizen (Adult)

KES 200

Resident (Adult)

KES 400

Non-Resident

$20

Best: Year-round Hotels, resorts, camping

Meru National Park

National Park • Meru County • 870 km²

Eastern

LionElephantLeopardCheetahWhite RhinoHippo+1 more

Citizen (Adult)

KES 300

Resident (Adult)

KES 800

Non-Resident

$30

Best: June – October Lodges, camping

Shimba Hills National Reserve

National Reserve • Kwale County • 250 km²

Coast

Sable AntelopeElephantLeopardColobus MonkeyButterfly

Citizen (Adult)

KES 300

Resident (Adult)

KES 600

Non-Resident

$25

Best: Year-round Shimba Hills Lodge (tree lodge)

Lamu Island (Marine Reserve)

Marine Reserve • Lamu County • 55 km²

Coast

DolphinSea TurtleWhale SharkReef Fish

Citizen (Adult)

KES 200

Resident (Adult)

KES 400

Non-Resident

$15

Best: November – March Guesthouses, boutique hotels

Watamu Marine National Park

Marine Park • Kilifi County • 10 km²

Coast

TurtleDolphinWhale SharkCoral Reef Fish

Citizen (Adult)

KES 200

Resident (Adult)

KES 400

Non-Resident

$15

Best: October – March Beach hotels, resorts

Kakamega Forest National Reserve

National Reserve • Kakamega County • 44 km²

Western

Colobus MonkeyDe Brazza's MonkeyBlue MonkeyBushbuck300+ bird species

Citizen (Adult)

KES 200

Resident (Adult)

KES 400

Non-Resident

$25

Best: Year-round (best Jan–Feb, Jun–Jul) Forest rest houses, camping

Ruma National Park

National Park • Homa Bay County • 120 km²

Nyanza

Roan AntelopeRothschild's GiraffeOribiJackson's HartebeestLeopard

Citizen (Adult)

KES 215

Resident (Adult)

KES 430

Non-Resident

$25

Best: June – October Camping, nearby hotels

Saiwa Swamp National Park

National Park • Trans Nzoia County • 3 km²

Western

Sitatunga AntelopeDe Brazza's MonkeyGiant Forest SquirrelOtter

Citizen (Adult)

KES 215

Resident (Adult)

KES 430

Non-Resident

$25

Best: Year-round Camping

Important Notes

•Fees are per person per day unless stated otherwise
•Citizen = Kenyan national (ID required); Resident = non-citizen living in Kenya (work permit/alien ID required)
•Non-resident fees shown in USD; pay at the gate via eCitizen or at KWS offices
•Children rates apply to ages 3–18; under 3 is free
•KWS Smart Card ('My Wildlife') offers bulk discounts for frequent visitors
•Fees are reviewed periodically by KWS — always confirm at kws.go.ke before visiting
•Vehicle entry fees (KES 300–1,000 for Kenyan vehicles) are separate from person entry fees

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to enter a national park in Kenya?

Entry fees vary by park and visitor category. Kenyan citizens pay KES 200–500/day, residents KES 400–2,500/day, and non-residents USD 15–90/day. Children pay approximately half. Premium parks like Maasai Mara and Amboseli charge more.

What is the difference between a national park and a national reserve?

National parks are managed by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) with no human settlement or grazing allowed. National reserves are managed by county governments and may allow some pastoral activities.

What is the Big Five?

The Big Five are: Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhinoceros, and Cape Buffalo. The best parks to see all five include Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

When is the best time for safari in Kenya?

The dry season (June–October) is best for wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources. The Great Wildebeest Migration crosses into Maasai Mara from July–October. However, the green season (November–May) offers lower rates and fewer crowds.

How do I book a KWS park visit?

You can book through the eCitizen portal (ecitizen.go.ke) or pay at the gate. For popular parks, advance booking is recommended, especially during peak season (July–October and December–January).

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