Tourists to pay more to visit Lake Nakuru National Park under new KWS proposal

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is proposing an increase in national park entry fees to help bridge the annual conservation funding gap of Sh12 billion.

In Nakuru County, the proposed entry fee for local adults at Lake Nakuru National Park is set to increase by 74 percent, from Sh860 to Sh1,500. For foreign adult visitors, the fee will increase from $60 to $90 — a 50 per cent rise.

Meanwhile, the fee for local students and children aged 5 years and above but below 18 will increase from Sh215 to Sh750, a staggering 249 per cent increase.

For foreign children, the fee will increase from $35 to $45, a rise of 28.6 percent.

Lake Nakuru is widely regarded as Kenya’s second most visited national park, attracting around 200,000 visitors each year.

The park is home to over 450 bird species, as well as black and white rhinos, Rothschild giraffes and a variety of other mammals, and covers 188 km of fenced wilderness.

The proposed changes fall under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, Cap. 376.

According to KWS, the aim is not only to increase revenue. The changes also aim to support the growth of wildlife populations and promote coexistence between people and wildlife.

They also aim to enhance resilient ecosystems with rich biodiversity and strengthen community and stakeholder participation.

Other objectives include improving access and benefit-sharing, growing the wildlife economy, and supporting a high-performing conservation agency.

Before the new prices take effect, the Kenya Wildlife Service is inviting the public to provide feedback on the proposed regulations.