Planning a visit to Nairobi National Park in 2026? One of the first things to understand is how Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) calculates park entry fees.
Nairobi National Park uses different rates depending on whether you are an East African Citizen, Kenya Resident, African Citizen or Non-Resident. The amount also varies between adults and children/students.
This guide explains the current KWS conservation fees for Nairobi National Park, what the different visitor categories mean, how payment works, and which additional charges you may need to consider when planning your visit.
2026 KWS rates at a glance: Nairobi National Park is currently listed by KWS with an entry fee of KES 1,000 for East African Citizen adults, KES 1,350 for Kenya Resident adults, USD 40 for African Citizen adults, and USD 80 for Non-Resident adults. Child/student rates are lower.
Nairobi National Park Entry Fees 2026
According to the current Kenya Wildlife Service tariff, Nairobi National Park falls under KWS’s Urban Safari category.
The applicable conservation fees are:
| Visitor Category | Adult | Child / Student |
| East African Citizen | KES 1,000 | KES 500 |
| Kenya Resident | KES 1,350 | KES 675 |
| African Citizen | USD 40 | USD 20 |
| Non-Resident | USD 80 | USD 40 |
These are park conservation/entry fees, meaning they cover access to Nairobi National Park. They should not automatically be confused with the cost of a safari vehicle, guide, private tour or other activities.
KWS’s published tariff lists Nairobi National Park separately from the Nairobi Package, which combines Nairobi National Park with Nairobi Animal Orphanage and Nairobi Safari Walk.
Who Pays the East African Citizen Rate?
The East African Citizen category applies to individuals holding citizenship of East African countries as defined by KWS.
For a Kenyan citizen visiting Nairobi National Park, the applicable category is therefore East African Citizen, rather than Kenya Resident.
The current rate is:
- Adult: KES 1,000
- Child/student: KES 500
This is particularly important for Kenyan families and local visitors because the East African Citizen rate is lower than the Kenya Resident rate published by KWS.
What Is the Kenya Resident Rate?
The Kenya Resident category is intended for foreign nationals who are legally resident in Kenya.
KWS defines Kenya Residents as foreign nationals authorized to reside in Kenya through a valid permit, pass or permanent residence status under Kenyan immigration laws.
For Nairobi National Park, the current rates are:
- Adult: KES 1,350
- Child/student: KES 675
If you are a foreign national living and working in Kenya, it is therefore important to carry the appropriate documentation establishing your resident status when visiting.
What Is the African Citizen Rate?
The African Citizen category applies to nationals of African countries other than Kenya and the East African countries covered by the East African Citizen category.
For Nairobi National Park, KWS currently lists:
- Adult: USD 40
- Child/student: USD 20
The distinction matters because being an African citizen does not automatically mean you qualify for the East African Citizen rate.
Nairobi National Park Fees for Non-Residents
Visitors who are neither East African Citizens, Kenya Residents nor African Citizens fall under the Non-Resident category.
The current Nairobi National Park rates are:
- Adult: USD 80
- Child/student: USD 40
For international visitors booking a Nairobi safari, these conservation fees are normally incorporated into the overall tour price when the visit is arranged as part of a package.
KWS also confirms that visitors on package tours can have park entry fees included by their tour operator.
Do Children Pay the Same Entry Fee as Adults?
No.
KWS provides separate child/student rates for Nairobi National Park.
The current rates are:
- East African Citizen child/student – KES 500
- Kenya Resident child/student – KES 675
- African Citizen child/student – USD 20
- Non-Resident child/student – USD 40
If you are travelling with children, make sure the correct category is selected when arranging your park visit.
Is the Nairobi National Park Entry Fee the Total Cost of a Safari?
Not necessarily.
This is one of the most important things to understand when budgeting for a Nairobi National Park visit.
Your park conservation fee is only one component of the overall cost of a safari.
Depending on how you visit the park, you may also have costs associated with:
- Safari vehicle hire
- Tour guide services
- Transport to and from the park
- Photography or filming
- Special activities or experiences
- Meals and refreshments
- Picnic or event arrangements
KWS’s tariff separately lists motor vehicle charges according to vehicle capacity. For example, the published tariff lists KES 600 per day for vehicles with fewer than six seats, with higher charges for larger vehicles.
This means that a visitor driving into the park should distinguish between the individual conservation fee and any applicable vehicle charge.
Can I Pay Nairobi National Park Entry Fees in Advance?
Yes.
KWS advises self-organized visitors to pay park entry fees through the official KWSPay portal, rather than relying on cash payment at the gate.
KWS states that accepted payment methods include:
- M-Pesa
- Visa card
- Direct bank transfer
For package tours, KWS states that park entry fees can be included in the tour operator’s total safari cost.
For the latest payment instructions, visitors should check the official KWS information before travelling because payment procedures and systems can be updated.
What Is the Nairobi Package?
If you are planning more than a game drive, you may come across another KWS option called the Nairobi Package.
This is different from ordinary Nairobi National Park entry.
According to the KWS tariff, the Nairobi Package combines:
Nairobi National Park + Nairobi Animal Orphanage + Nairobi Safari Walk
The current published package rates are:
| Visitor Category | Adult | Child / Student |
| East African Citizen | KES 1,300 | KES 700 |
| Kenya Resident | KES 1,750 | KES 950 |
| African Citizen | USD 55 | USD 20 |
| Non-Resident | USD 105 | USD 55 |
This can be useful for visitors who want to combine several KWS attractions in Nairobi rather than visiting the national park alone.
Why Are Nairobi National Park Fees Different for Different Visitors?
KWS uses a tiered pricing structure for its protected areas.
The system distinguishes between visitor categories and also groups parks according to their characteristics. KWS’s documentation identifies Urban Safari as a distinct category, with Nairobi National Park listed within it.
The conservation fees contribute to the management and protection of Kenya’s wildlife areas. KWS notes that conservation fees form a significant part of its internally generated revenue, helping support wildlife conservation and management activities.
So, when you pay your Nairobi National Park entry fee, you are not simply paying for a game-drive experience. The fee contributes toward the continued management of a protected wildlife area on the edge of Nairobi.
Is Nairobi National Park Worth the Entry Fee?
For visitors who want a genuine wildlife experience without travelling several hours from Nairobi, Nairobi National Park offers a unique proposition.
The park is located approximately 10 kilometres south of Nairobi’s city centre and is famous for its unusual setting: wildlife can be seen against a backdrop of Nairobi’s skyline.
KWS describes the park as a major wildlife destination with species including lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, cheetah and both black and white rhinoceros. It also supports more than 400 bird species.
This makes the park particularly convenient for:
- First-time safari visitors
- Travellers with limited time in Nairobi
- Families
- Couples
- Corporate and group outings
- Birdwatchers
- Visitors with a short Nairobi layover
- Residents looking for a weekend wildlife experience
A Simple Example: What Would a Kenyan Visitor Pay?
Suppose two Kenyan adults want to visit Nairobi National Park independently.
As East African Citizens, the current KWS conservation fee would be:
2 adults × KES 1,000 = KES 2,000
That KES 2,000 is the park conservation fee for the two people.
If they enter with a private vehicle, however, the applicable vehicle charge would be considered separately. The total cost of the visit could therefore be higher than KES 2,000.
A Simple Example: International Visitor
For two international adult visitors:
2 adults × USD 80 = USD 160
Again, this represents the conservation/park entry component, not necessarily the complete cost of the safari.
If the visitors book a guided game drive through a tour operator, their final price may also include transport, vehicle, guide services, park fees and other services.
Important: Check KWS Rates Before Your Visit
Park fees can change as KWS reviews its conservation and tourism charges.
For that reason, online articles, old travel blogs and social-media posts may show rates that are no longer applicable.
For the most reliable information, always check the current KWS tariff or Nairobi National Park page before making payment.
The rates in this guide are based on the KWS tariff currently published for Nairobi National Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Nairobi National Park entry in 2026?
The current KWS rate for an East African Citizen adult is KES 1,000. Kenya Resident adults pay KES 1,350, African Citizen adults pay USD 40, while Non-Resident adults pay USD 80.
How much is Nairobi National Park for a Kenyan?
A Kenyan adult currently pays KES 1,000 as an East African Citizen. A Kenyan child/student pays KES 500.
Can foreigners living in Kenya get the resident rate?
Yes, provided they meet KWS’s requirements for Kenya Resident status. KWS defines this category as foreign nationals authorized to reside in Kenya through the appropriate permit, pass or permanent residence status.
Can I pay Nairobi National Park fees using M-Pesa?
Yes. KWS currently lists M-Pesa among the accepted payment methods for self-organized visitors using the KWSPay system.
Does the entry fee include a safari vehicle?
No. Park conservation fees and vehicle charges are separate items in the KWS tariff. Vehicle charges depend on the vehicle’s seating capacity.
Can I visit Nairobi National Park without booking a tour?
Yes. Visitors can organize their own visit and pay the applicable park fees through the KWS payment system. Alternatively, you can use a tour operator that arranges the park visit and incorporates the relevant fees into the package price.
What is the difference between Nairobi National Park entry and the Nairobi Package?
Nairobi National Park entry gives you access to the national park. The Nairobi Package combines Nairobi National Park, Nairobi Animal Orphanage and Nairobi Safari Walk under one KWS package.
Plan Your Nairobi National Park Visit
Understanding the entry fee before arriving makes planning your Nairobi safari much easier.
For 2026, the key figure for Kenyan and other East African visitors to remember is KES 1,000 per adult for Nairobi National Park, while international visitors currently pay USD 80 per adult.
Remember that these are conservation fees and that additional costs such as vehicle charges, transport, guides and other activities may apply depending on how you organize your visit.
If you would rather have everything arranged for you, Community Guides Nairobi National Park can help you plan a Nairobi National Park experience around your available time, group size and interests.
Before your visit, always confirm the latest rates and payment requirements directly with Kenya Wildlife Service, as official tariffs may be revised.
Official KWS Sources
- Kenya Wildlife Service – Nairobi National Park
- Kenya Wildlife Service – Conservation Fees Tariff
- Kenya Wildlife Service – Frequently Asked Questions
