The Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) plans to increase park entrance fees to bridge a funding deficit of Sh11.87 billion.
The proposal is contained in the draft Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access and Conservation Fees) Regulations, 2025, which awaits parliamentary approval.
In the 2024/25 fiscal year (FY), for example, KWS generated Sh7.92 billion against a target of Sh19.79 billion, impacting the ability to protect wildlife, restore degraded ecosystems, and address other issues.
As part of the deal, it plans to collect Sh16.58 billion from parks by 2028.
The entry fee for students planning to visit the Nairobi National Park is proposed to increase from Ksh215 to Ksh500.
The entry fees for the Amboseli National Park and the Lake Nakuru National Park are proposed to increase from Ksh860 to Ksh1,500.
In Kenya, wildlife tourism remains a vital pillar of the economy, contributing approximately 10 percent to national GDP and generating over $1 billion in direct annual revenue.