Nairobi National Park entry fee at a glance
Park entry is charged per person, and the rate depends on your nationality or residence status, not on where you sleep. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has applied its current tariff since 1 October 2025, and the amounts below are the 2026 rates. A vehicle fee and any guide are not part of the per-person price.
Your passport or ID decides the category. Kenyan residents need a residence permit, and East African citizens need a national ID or passport. The ticket is a daily fee: one entry, valid for up to 24 hours.
Our picks: tours and the park ticket
None of these tours includes the park ticket, so you pay it on top. The five-hour and half-day drives are guided drives from your hotel, and the private 4x4 is for a group that wants its own vehicle.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private 4x4 drive in Nairobi National Park
- Land Cruiser 4x4
- Private guided drive
- Hotel transfer
A guided drive in a Land Cruiser just for your party. The park fees are extra.
Check availability →
Five-hour guided game drive in Nairobi National Park
- Hotel transfer
- Guided game drive
- Water and Wi-Fi
A straightforward guided drive through the park, with pickup at your hotel. The park fee is extra and is paid separately.
Check availability →
Half-day game drive in Nairobi National Park
- Hotel transfer
- Open-roof van or safari jeep
- Guide and water
The vehicle depends on the option you choose. The park ticket is not included and is bought online.
Check availability →Nairobi National Park tickets and guided tours
Half-day game drives and day tours, with live prices and availability. Check whether the park fee is included in the offer.
Nairobi National Park tickets and prices 2026
Per person, adult / child. Citizens and residents pay in Kenyan shillings, others in US dollars.
| Ticket | East African citizen (KES) | Kenyan resident (KES) | Non-resident ($) | Other African citizen ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi National Park | 1,000 / 500 | 1,350 / 675 | 80 / 40 | 40 / 20 |
| Animal Orphanage, single | 300 / 200 | 405 / 300 | 25 / 15 | 15 / 10 |
| Safari Walk, single | 300 / 200 | 405 / 300 | 25 / 15 | 15 / 10 |
| Sanctuary Package (Safari Walk and Animal Orphanage) | 500 / 300 | 675 / 500 | 40 / 20 | 25 / 15 |
| Nairobi Package (park, Safari Walk and Animal Orphanage) | 1,300 / 700 | 1,750 / 950 | 105 / 55 | 55 / 20 |
For most visitors from abroad who only want the park, the single $80 ticket is enough. If you also plan the Safari Walk and the Animal Orphanage, the Nairobi Package costs less than buying the three tickets separately.
Who pays which rate
Based on the 2025 fee regulations.
Citizens and residents
East African citizens and Kenyan residents pay in shillings. Carry the document that proves your status, a national ID, a passport or a residence permit. The hotel you stay in does not change the category.
Free entry
Children aged 5 and younger enter free. So do Kenyan citizens aged 70 and over and people with disabilities. Qualified drivers and guides registered with the tourism regulator and a trade association are also exempt, but that does not apply to every driver or taxi.
Students
Students up to age 23 at a recognised school or college can qualify when the visit is an organised educational trip with documents. An international student card alone is not enough.
The daily fee
The ticket gives one entry for up to 24 hours. It does not extend the day window, so you still leave by closing time.
Vehicle fees and rangers
Charged per day, in Kenyan shillings, on top of the park ticket.
| Vehicle | Fee per day (KES) |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 6 seats | 600 |
| 6 to 12 seats | 1,500 |
| 13 to 24 seats | 3,000 |
| 25 to 44 seats | 4,500 |
| 45 seats or more | 5,000 |
Security guided tours with rangers are priced per ranger, with a minimum of two rangers per group: KES 2,000 per ranger for up to 4 hours and KES 4,000 for longer. You do not need a ranger for a normal game drive. See game drives and half-day tours for the options.
How to pay and which gate to use
Cashless, and check the gate before you set off.
Paying through eCitizen
KWS directs visitors to the eCitizen portal and KWSPay. Pay the park fee before you arrive where you can. The amount shown at checkout is the one that counts, because card or mobile money charges can be added.
Main Gate
Main Gate is on Lang'ata Road at the KWS headquarters. It is the usual entrance for the park, the Safari Walk and the Animal Orphanage. Check the gate with your operator if you book a tour.
East Gate
Some tour operators use East Gate on the airport side. Ask your operator which gate it uses and where the pickup is.
Sheldrick nursery access
The elephant nursery is reached through Mbagathi Gate, also called Workshop Gate, off Magadi Road. It is not the same as Main Gate. A donation to the trust does not replace the KWS park ticket. See the elephant orphanage page.
Plan the rest of your visit
Tickets for the neighbouring sights and how to get there.
Nairobi National Park entry fee: frequently asked questions
How much is the Nairobi National Park entry fee for tourists?
A non-resident adult pays $80 and a child $40 in 2026. Add the vehicle fee, which starts at KES 600 per day for a vehicle with fewer than 6 seats.
Do children pay?
Children aged 5 and younger enter free. Older children pay the child rate, $40 for a non-resident, until they count as adults.
Can I pay at the gate?
KWS asks visitors to pay through eCitizen and KWSPay, which are cashless. Pay before you arrive where possible and keep the confirmation on your phone.
Does the ticket cover the Safari Walk and the Animal Orphanage?
No. The single park ticket covers the park only. The Nairobi Package adds the Safari Walk and the Animal Orphanage, and the Sanctuary Package covers just those two.
Is the park fee included when I book a tour?
It depends on the offer. Check the description of each tour to see whether park entry is listed as included. If it is not, you pay the fee yourself.
Is this the official KWS ticket website?
No. This is an independent guide that explains the current rates. Buy your ticket through the official portal and check the amount at checkout.