The entry fee for Lake Nakuru National Park, one of Kenya’s Premium Parks, was revised under the 2025 KWS Conservation Fee Regulations, marking the first major update in nearly two decades. Visitors now pay KES 1,500 for East African citizens, KES 2,025 for Kenya residents, and USD 90 for non-residents per adult for a 24-hour visit.
While these rates represent a significant increase from the previous KES 860 and USD 60 levels, Lake Nakuru remains considerably more affordable than the Masai Mara, where non-resident entry now reaches USD 200 per day in peak season. The new structure keeps Lake Nakuru competitively priced while supporting long-term conservation of its world-famous flamingos, rhinos, and diverse wildlife.
Visitors should note that all park fees must be paid online via KWSPay on eCitizen, with the new rates still displayed on the platform pending the High Court’s November 2025 ruling on their temporary suspension.
Overview: Lake Nakuru National Park Entry Fees 2025
The new 2025 tariff marks the first major fee revision in nearly two decades, aligning KWS-managed parks like Lake Nakuru with regional conservation standards such as the Masai Mara and Serengeti.
Under the updated structure:
- Lake Nakuru remains a Premium Park, alongside Amboseli National Park, due to its exceptional biodiversity, flamingo populations, and globally significant rhino sanctuary.
- Entry fees now follow a four-tier visitor system (East African Citizens, Kenya Residents, African Citizens, and Non-Residents).
- Fees are charged per 24-hour visit window (not calendar day).
- Children (3–17 years) pay half the adult rate, while children below 5 years enter free of charge.
💰 New Lake Nakuru Entry Fees (October 2025 Tariff)
| Category | Adult (24 Hours) | Child (3–17 yrs) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| East African Citizens | KES 1,500 | KES 750 | Valid for Kenyan, Ugandan, Tanzanian, Rwandan, South Sudanese, and Burundian nationals with ID/passport. |
| Kenya Residents | KES 2,025 | KES 1,050 | Applicable to residents with valid work/residence permits. |
| African Citizens (non-EAC) | USD 50 | USD 25 | Includes citizens of other African countries. |
| Non-Residents (International Visitors) | USD 90 | USD 45 | Applies to visitors from outside Africa. |
⚠️ Note: While these rates remain visible on KWSPay (https://kwspay.ecitizen.go.ke), enforcement is temporarily paused pending court determination.
🏕️ Activity & Camping Fees (Lake Nakuru NP)
| Activity / Service | East African Citizens | Residents | African Citizens | Non-Residents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Campsite | KES 250 (Adult) / 200 (Child) | KES 350 / 250 | USD 15 / 13 | USD 30 / 25 |
| Special Campsite | KES 500 / 250 | KES 700 / 350 | USD 25 / 15 | USD 50 / 25 |
| Lake Boating (per person) | KES 1,500 | KES 1,500 | USD 15 | USD 15 |
| Night Game Drive | KES 3,000 | KES 3,000 | USD 50 | USD 50 |
| Guided Nature Walks (up to 4 hrs) | KES 2,000 | KES 2,000 | USD 25 | USD 25 |
| Guided Tour (over 4 hrs) | KES 4,000 | KES 4,000 | USD 40 | USD 40 |
🚙 Vehicle Entry Fees
| Vehicle Type | Per 24 Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private Vehicle (less than 6 seats) | KES 600 | Charged per vehicle, not per person. |
| Tour Van / Minibus (6–12 seats) | KES 1,500 | Standard safari vans. |
| Tour Bus (13–24 seats) | KES 3,000 | Common for groups. |
| Over 45 seats | KES 5,000 | Applies to school or organized tour buses. |
💳 How to Pay for Park Entry
All park entry fees are paid exclusively online via KWSPay, the official KWS payment subdomain under eCitizen.
Steps:
- Visit the official Lake Nakuru NP KWSPay link.
- Log in or create an eCitizen account.
- Enter your details: number of visitors, nationality, entry gate, and travel dates.
- Add vehicle details (if self-driving) and select any special activities (e.g., camping).
- Pay using MPesa, Visa/MasterCard, or eCitizen Wallet.
- Download and keep your payment receipt (QR-coded) for gate verification.
If the KWSPay page appears blank or unresponsive, wait 2–3 minutes before refreshing. Do not pay anyone in cash or outside the system. For assistance, contact KWS directly at customerservice@kws.go.ke or 0800 597000.
⚖️ Temporary Court Suspension (October–November 2025)
On October 2, 2025, the High Court in Nairobi issued a temporary injunction halting the enforcement of the new 2025 KWS fees following a petition by the Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) as reported on this Kambu Campers’ KWS Entry Fees blog.
- The court cited concerns about short notice and stakeholder consultation.
- The case will be heard on November 25, 2025.
- Until a ruling is made, KWSPay continues to display the new fees, and KWS has advised visitors to proceed with payment.
If the court overturns the new rates, visitors who paid the higher tariff can seek refunds by emailing customerservice@kws.go.ke with their payment receipt attached.
🦏 Why Lake Nakuru Remains a Premium Park
Lake Nakuru’s classification as a Premium Park is due to its exceptional biodiversity and infrastructure:
- Home to over 450 bird species, including flamingos, pelicans, and fish eagles.
- Kenya’s most accessible black and white rhino sanctuary.
- High-quality road network suitable for all-weather game drives.
- Proximity to Nakuru City, making it ideal for day trips and short safaris.
The new fees reflect the park’s global conservation importance, while still remaining more affordable than privately managed reserves such as the Masai Mara, where non-resident entry now costs USD 200 per day during peak season.
Comparison: Old vs New Lake Nakuru National Park Entry Fees
The new 2025 KWS tariff marks the first major adjustment to Lake Nakuru National Park entry fees in nearly two decades. The revision introduces a structured four-tier system (East African Citizens, Kenya Residents, African Citizens, and Non-Residents) and significantly raises rates to align with global conservation pricing standards.
| Visitor Category | Old Rate (2023/24) | New Rate (2025) | Change | Expert Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East African Citizens | KES 860 (Adult) / 430 (Child) | KES 1,500 (Adult) / 750 (Child) | +74% increase | Reflects inflation adjustment and value-based pricing for premium parks. |
| Kenya Residents | KES 1,200 (Adult) / 600 (Child) | KES 2,025 (Adult) / 1,050 (Child) | +69% increase | Brings resident rates closer to true cost of conservation; still below regional private reserves. |
| African Citizens (non-EAC) | Not previously distinct | USD 50 (Adult) / 25 (Child) | New category introduced | Promotes intra-African tourism with mid-tier pricing. |
| Non-Residents (International Visitors) | USD 60 (Adult) / 35 (Child) | USD 90 (Adult) / 45 (Child) | +50% increase | Aligns with regional comparators such as Serengeti (USD 150) while keeping Kenya competitive. |
Summary:
- Average increase across all categories: 60–80%.
- Children remain at 50% of adult rates.
- Lake Nakuru remains classified as a Premium Park, alongside Amboseli.
- The new rates better reflect the park’s conservation importance, infrastructure upkeep, and visitor demand.
In short: the 2025 update shifts Lake Nakuru NP from legacy pricing to a modern, cost-reflective model—still accessible for East African travelers while ensuring sustainable funding for Kenya’s premier rhino and flamingo sanctuary.
🧾 Summary of Key Takeaways
- Adult Entry (Non-Resident): USD 90 (24 hours)
- Adult Entry (Kenya Resident): KES 2,025
- Children (All): Half price
- Payments: Online only via KWSPay
- Court Status: Temporarily suspended but still in system
- Refunds: Available if court later nullifies rates
✅ Final Note from LakeNakuru.org
Despite the temporary legal uncertainty, KWS has confirmed that all visitors should continue using KWSPay to pay the current displayed rates until further notice. Keep your digital receipt and identification ready for verification at the gate.
LakeNakuru.org will continue to provide verified updates on park fees, conservation policies, and visitor information as the court case unfolds in November 2025