Overview
On October 1, 2025, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) implemented a new, nationwide tariff schedule for all parks and reserves under the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access, Entry and Conservation) Fees Regulations, 2025.
The new framework classified Amboseli National Park as a premium park, alongside Lake Nakuru — placing it among Kenya’s top-tier conservation areas.
However, just one day later (October 2, 2025), the Milimani High Court issued temporary conservatory orders suspending the new rates pending a full hearing set for November 25, 2025.
This means that while the new fees are already displayed on the eCitizen platform, they remain under judicial review, and old 2024/25 rates continue to apply until the court delivers its ruling.
1. The New Proposed Entry Fees (Effective October 1, 2025)
| Visitor Category | Adult | Child (3–17 yrs) |
|---|---|---|
| East African Citizen | KES 1,500 | KES 750 |
| Kenya Resident | KES 2,025 | KES 1,050 |
| African Citizen (non-EA) | USD 50 | USD 25 |
| Non-Resident (International Visitor) | USD 90 | USD 45 |
Notes:
- Kenyan residents must show a valid ID or work permit.
- EAC citizens should present a national ID or passport.
- Fees apply per person, per 24 hours, payable only through eCitizen.
These rates are still active on https://kwspay.ecitizen.go.ke/single-park-entry/amboseli-national-park/guests
Comparison: Old vs New Amboseli Park Fees (Per Person, 24 Hours)
| Visitor Category | Old Rates (2024/25) | New Proposed (2025/26) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenyan Citizen / EAC Resident (Adult) | KES 860 | KES 1,500 | +74% |
| Kenyan Citizen / EAC Resident (Child) | KES 215 | KES 750 | +249% |
| Kenya Resident (Adult) | KES 860 | KES 2,025 | +136% |
| Kenya Resident (Child) | KES 215 | KES 1,050 | +388% |
| African Citizen (Adult) | USD 60 | USD 50 | –17% |
| African Citizen (Child) | USD 35 | USD 25 | –29% |
| Non-Resident (Adult) | USD 70 | USD 90 | +29% |
| Non-Resident (Child) | USD 20 | USD 45 | +125% |
Key Takeaways:
- The steepest increases affect Kenyan citizens and residents, especially for children.
- African citizens benefit from lower fees, aligning with the AU’s intra-African tourism agenda.
- International visitors face moderate hikes consistent with regional park benchmarks (e.g., Serengeti, Volcanoes).
2. Additional Fees for Activities and Services
| Activity / Service | EA Citizen & Kenya Resident (KES) | African Citizen & Non-Resident (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Balloon Safari (add-on) | – | 80 |
| Night Game Drive | 3,000 | 50 |
| Security-Guided Tour – up to 4 hrs | 2,000 | – |
| Security-Guided Tour – over 4 hrs | 4,000 | – |
| Event Security (per section) | 87,000 | 1,000 |
Camping Fees
| Category | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Public Campsite (Resident) | 250 | 200 |
| Public Campsite (Non-Resident) | 30 USD | 25 USD |
| Special Campsite (Resident) | 500 | 250 |
| Special Campsite (Non-Resident) | 50 USD | 25 USD |
Conferencing Fees
| Category | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| East African Citizen | 1,050 KES | 525 KES |
| Kenya Resident | 1,620 KES | 735 KES |
| African Citizen | 35 USD | 20 USD |
| Non-Resident | 63 USD | 36 USD |
3. Court Suspension: Background and Legal Context
The court case filed by the Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) and industry partners argued that:
- The fee hike was introduced without sufficient stakeholder consultation.
- It would discourage domestic tourism, especially among Kenyan families and schools.
- The increase conflicted with the Amboseli Deed of Transfer (October 2025), under which Kajiado County is set to assume management and revenue roles.
The Environment and Land Court (ELC) issued a temporary suspension of all new fees on October 2, 2025, pending determination on November 25, 2025.
Until the case concludes, all KWS-managed parks, including Amboseli, continue charging 2024/25 rates.
4. Vehicle & Ranger Fees (Unchanged)
| Vehicle Type | Rate (KES) |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle | 215 |
| Saloon / Safari Car (≤6 seats) | 300 |
| Van / Minibus (6–12 seats) | 1,030 |
| Tour Bus (13–24 seats) | 2,585 |
| Medium Bus (25–44 seats) | 4,050 |
| Large Bus (45+ seats) | 5,000 |
| Ranger Escort Duration | Fee (KES) |
|---|---|
| Up to 4 hours | 1,720 |
| Over 4 hours | 3,015 |
Vehicle rates were not revised in 2025/26, likely to avoid compounding travel costs.
Note that only 4WD safari-modified vehicles are allowed inside Amboseli.
5. Rationale Behind the New Tariffs
KWS introduced the 2025/26 fee schedule to:
- Strengthen self-sustaining conservation funding amid declining donor support.
- Standardize park categories (premium vs wilderness).
- Finance climate adaptation, ranger welfare, and park infrastructure.
- Reduce dependency on Treasury allocations and promote visitor-based revenue models.
Amboseli’s premium classification reflects its high tourism demand, accessibility, and international profile.
6. Conservation and Tourism Impact Analysis
| Area | Potential Benefit | Potential Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Funding | Higher revenue for habitat restoration, ranger salaries, and anti-poaching operations. | Possible visitor decline may offset gains. |
| Domestic Tourism | Encourages improved park experiences. | Price increases may exclude local schools and families. |
| Regional Integration | Lower African citizen rates support AU tourism initiatives. | Risk of confusion between “resident” and “citizen” definitions at gates. |
| Tour Operator Business | Simplifies premium pricing models for safari packages. | Short-term booking disruptions and client uncertainty. |
| Devolution & Governance | Provides revenue benchmarks for Kajiado County’s management transition. | Potential overlap between KWS and county pricing during transition. |
Devolution Context – Kajiado County’s Role
The Deed of Transfer (Gazette Notice No. 15230, October 2025) formally initiated Amboseli’s management transition from the National Government to the County Government of Kajiado.
Revenue-sharing begins July 2026, with full management responsibility targeted by 2028/29.
If upheld, the 2025/26 rates will likely serve as the baseline for county-level tariffs. However, Kajiado may choose to revise or localize citizen rates to encourage community-based tourism once its new Semi-Autonomous Park Agency becomes operational.
Summary Table – Current Situation (as of October 2025)
| Status | Detail |
|---|---|
| New Fees Announced | Yes — Effective Oct 1, 2025 |
| Court Suspension Issued | Oct 2, 2025 |
| Next Hearing | Nov 25, 2025 |
| Current Applicable Fees | 2024/25 rates still in force |
| Future Outlook | Review or reinstatement expected post-Nov ruling |
Visitor Advisory (October–November 2025)
Visitors planning Amboseli safaris are advised to:
- Confirm current rates on eCitizen.go.ke before booking.
- Retain digital receipts for gate verification.
- Budget with flexibility pending court decision.
- Contact KWS Customer Service (0800 597000 / customerservice@kws.go.ke) for clarification.
Expert Commentary
Amboseli’s fee debate highlights the tension between sustainability and accessibility in Kenya’s conservation model.
While higher rates can help fund ranger operations and ecological resilience, sudden increases risk alienating domestic visitors and disrupting local livelihoods tied to park tourism.
The ongoing court review, alongside the Kajiado County transition, offers an opportunity to reframe Amboseli’s revenue model around equity, community participation, and conservation integrity.
📊 Next Update:
Amboseli.ke will publish an updated chart immediately after the November 25, 2025 court ruling, comparing the final approved rates with regional benchmarks (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Queen Elizabeth NP).