The Milimani High Court has temporarily stopped the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) from enforcing newly revised park entry fees, following a petition by the Kenya Tourism Federation.
Justice John Chigiti Mugwimi issued the conservatory orders on Thursday, suspending the new charges until the case is heard. The matter will be mentioned again on 25 November 2025.
The Disputed Charges
KWS had rolled out the new conservation fees on 1 October, sparking public debate and concern from players in the tourism sector. The revised tariffs were based on the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access, Entry and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations 2025, which Parliament approved on 25 September.
The plan introduced seasonal pricing, with July to March classified as high season and April to June as low season. It also set separate rates for Kenyan citizens, residents, and non-residents.
For example, entry fees at Nairobi National Park were raised from KSh430 to KSh1,000 for residents. Non-residents would pay USD80 (about KSh10,360), nearly double the previous USD43 (KSh5,570).
At premium parks such as Amboseli and Lake Nakuru, locals would pay KSh1,500, while foreigners would be charged KSh11,660. Mid-tier parks like Meru and Aberdare were priced at KSh800 for locals and USD70 (KSh9,070) for non-residents. Hell’s Gate National Park was set at KSh500.
Annual passes were introduced at KSh45,000 for adults and KSh10,400 for children, while a family package for two adults and up to five children was set at KSh130,000.
The regulations also provided free entry for persons with disabilities and senior citizens aged 70 and above.
What’s Next
While KWS has argued the new charges are meant to strengthen conservation efforts and align with global standards, stakeholders in tourism have warned of negative impacts on domestic travel and international visitor numbers.
The case now awaits its next mention, with the court’s decision expected to shape the balance between conservation funding and affordable access to Kenya’s national parks.