The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) plans to increase park entry fees by over three times to Ksh2,000 starting in January 2024, in a move that has been protested by Kenyans.
According to the new proposed fee rates by KWS, adults from the East African Community (EAC) and local residents will now pay Ksh2,000 instead of Ksh430 to enter the Nairobi National Park during the high season, which runs from July to March. Adults from other African regions will be expected to pay $50 to get entry into the park while those from other continents will have to part with $100.
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The organization would charge EAC and local residents Ksh2,000 to access Nairobi National Park during the low season, which runs from April to June. Tourists from other regions of Africa and the rest of the world will have to pay $20 and $100 respectively to access the Nairobi National Park during the low season. Currently, tourists visiting the park are required to pay only Ksh. 430 for adults and Ksh. 215 for children.
The Nairobi National Park is home to many different kinds of animals. Among them are cheetahs, leopards, gazelles, various bird species, and black rhinos, which are in danger of going extinct. Another well-known fact about Nairobi is that it is the only capital city in the world to have a national park right in the center of it.
The move by KWS to hike park entry fees has been highly protested by Kenyans, most of them citing that Ksh. 2000 is too much money, especially with the cost of living. They have accused the government of intentionally derailing efforts to grow domestic tourism.
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The CS for Tourism thought it wise that increasing the Nairobi National Park fee from Kshs 430 to Kshs 2000 will promote local tourism.
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