If you're planning to visit Kenya's stunning wildlife reserves in 2024 or beyond, you'll want to be aware of some significant changes in the park fee structure for the Maasai Mara National Park and Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage and payment methods. We've summarised these updates to help you navigate your visit smoothly.

1. Nairobi National Park Entry Fee for Daphne Sheldrick's Wildlife Trust

Starting from 19th September 2023, guests visiting the Nairobi Elephant Orphanage will have to pay both the Nairobi National Park fee and the entrance fee to the Orphanage. Here's a breakdown of the Nairobi National Park Fees for 2023:

Adults (USD)Non-Resident $43

Child (USD)Non-Resident $22

These fees should be paid in advance via the eCitizen platform.

Instructions on how to pay park fees via E-Citizen:

FOR NON-RESIDENTS OF KENYA
Step 1: Open an E-Citizen account to apply for a Kenyan visa.
Step 2: Use the E-Citizen account to pay park fees using the same steps as below.

FOR RESIDENTS OF KENYA
Step 1: Create an E-Citizen account if you do not have an existing account.
Step 2: Select "National" on the menu.
Step 3: Select "Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage".
Step 4: Select "State Department for Tourism and Wildlife".
Step 5: Select "Park Entry".

Step 6: Select "National Park Entry - Apply Now", to directly pay park fees. Payment options are provided in this section.

2. Changes to Maasai Mara National Reserve Fee Time Validity

Starting from July 2023, the Narok Country government announced that the Maasai Mara National Reserve Entry Fee will be valid for twelve (12) hours, from 6.00am to 6.00pm. This change has several implications:

• Departures by road must exit the Mara reserve by 10.00am.

• Morning game drives, followed by breakfast, and then departure, will no longer be possible due to the 12-hour rule. This primarily affects guests staying in areas for instance, around the Talek gate (Tipilikwani, Ilkeliani, Mara leisure, Basecamp, etc.), Sekenani gate, and Olalaimutia gate.

• Air departures from airstrips in the reserve must be by 10.00am. Any delay is counted as an extra day.

However, guests staying in private conservancies, such as Mara North, Olare Motorogi, Naboisho, and others, will not be affected by these changes.

3. Upcoming Increase to Maasai Mara and KWS Park Fees (2024)

Starting from 1st January 2024, both the Maasai Mara Reserve and Kenya Wildlife Services parks are considering significant fee hikes.

Mara Reserve Proposed Entrance Rates (Starting Jan 2024):

• Green Season (January to June): An increase from US$ 80 to US$ 100 per person. Children's rates will also rise, with specifics yet to be advised.

• Peak Season (July to December): Rates might jump from US$ 100 to US$ 200 per person. Again, children's rates will also increase, with exact figures to be announced.

Kenya Wildlife Service Proposed Park Entrance Rates (Starting 2024): The Kenya Wildlife Service is contemplating raising the park entry fees to $100 for its premium parks like Nairobi, Amboseli, and Lake Nakuru. Discussions are still ongoing.

Guests booking travel for 2024 should be aware of these potential rate hikes and be prepared to adjust their budgets accordingly.

4. KWS Park Fees - New Payment Method

As of 25th August 2023, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has integrated its services with the E-Citizen Platform, the same one used for evisa applications. Any park fees for KWS-managed parks must now be paid through this platform.

Access the KWS products on E-Citizen here

For a seamless experience, guests are advised to pay these fees well in advance to prevent any delays on their visit day.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. Safe travels!