Lake Nakuru National Park entry fee 2026 at a glance
Kenya Wildlife Service has published a new tariff since 1 October 2025. For Lake Nakuru, a non-resident adult pays $90 and a child $45. East African citizens pay KES 1,500 for an adult and KES 750 for a child, and Kenya residents pay KES 2,025 and KES 1,050. The ticket is for a single entry and lasts 24 hours at most.
You pay online before your visit and show valid ID at the gate. If you would rather leave the driving and the booking to someone else, see our Lake Nakuru day trips from Nairobi, and check whether the tour includes the park fee.
Lake Nakuru entry fee by visitor category
Daily rates per person in 2026. Children and students share one column.
| Visitor category | Adult | Child or student |
|---|---|---|
| East African citizen | KES 1,500 | KES 750 |
| Kenya resident | KES 2,025 | KES 1,050 |
| Non-resident | $90 | $45 |
| African citizen outside the East African Community | $50 | $25 |
East African citizen, Kenya resident (a valid Kenyan residence permit), African citizen outside the East African Community and non-resident are four different categories. If you are unsure which one fits your documents, check the definition in the payment portal before you pay. For most visitors from abroad, the rate that applies is the non-resident one: $90 for an adult and $45 for a child, plus a vehicle fee if you drive in.
Our pick: park entry in the price
This two-day safari has the Lake Nakuru entry in the price, a clear comparison with day trips where it is paid separately.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Lake Nakuru tours and safaris
Safaris and day trips from Nairobi, with live prices and availability. Check in each listing whether the park fee is included.
Vehicle fees at Lake Nakuru
Charged per vehicle and per day, in addition to the entry fee.
| Seats in the vehicle | Fee per vehicle, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 6 | KES 600 |
| 6–12 | KES 1,500 |
| 13–24 | KES 3,000 |
| 25–44 | KES 4,500 |
| 45 or more | KES 5,000 |
The tariff also includes a separate parking fee for Lake Nakuru: KES 1,000 for East African citizens and $30 for non-residents. It is expressly not meant for visitors who hold a paid park ticket, so do not add it to your entry costs. The vehicle fee is a per vehicle amount, not a price per person. Camping fees are separate, and you find them on the hotels and camping page.
Children, students and free entry
The tariff has a few exceptions.
Children
The tariff counts a child from 5 up to under 18 years, and it also exempts children up to and including 5. The payment portal says free under 6. If your child is exactly 5, check what the portal shows when you book.
Students
Students up to 23 years pay the child rate only in a school or education group setting. There is no general discount for international student cards.
Free entry
Kenyan citizens aged 70 and over, people with disabilities and certain registered professional groups are exempt under the conditions of the tariff.
One entry
The ticket allows a single entry within 24 hours. Do not plan on leaving and coming back in with the same ticket.
Gates and opening hours
The park has three gates: Main Gate, Lanet Gate and Nderit Gate. The Main Gate is 4 km from Nakuru city. If you come from Nairobi and want to avoid the traffic in the city, KWS suggests the Lanet Gate. The gates are open from 06:00 to 18:00, with an exception for overnight guests.
Floods have put parts of the shore roads under water, and a drive all the way around the lake is not something to count on. Ask at the gate which routes are open on the day, and choose your gate in the booking with that in mind.
How to pay the Lake Nakuru entry fee
Online, before you go.
Book on the official portal
Fees are paid through KWSPay on eCitizen. You enter the visitor details, the date and the gate, and you bring valid ID to the gate.
Payment methods
You can pay with M-Pesa or Visa, and bank transfer through KCB, ABSA or Equity is an option too. Check before you rely on bank transfer, and keep the confirmation of any payment.
Cashless
The park works with cashless payment. Do not count on paying cash or by card at the gate.
Check the total
A gateway fee of around 5 percent may be added at checkout. Look at the total on the last screen before you confirm.
The rate dispute
There is a legal dispute over the new rates, and the final amount can differ from this page. Check the portal for the figure that applies on your date, and do not count on a refund of a fee you have paid.
If you also visit Nairobi National Park, see its entry fee guide. For the Masai Mara, the Mara park fees are a separate set of rates.
Plan the rest of your trip
What to read after you have the fees.
Lake Nakuru entry fee: frequently asked questions
How much is the Lake Nakuru National Park entry fee in 2026?
A non-resident adult pays $90 and a child $45. East African citizens pay KES 1,500 and KES 750, Kenya residents KES 2,025 and KES 1,050, and other African citizens $50 and $25. A vehicle fee is extra.
Do children pay at Lake Nakuru?
Children from 5 up to under 18 pay the child rate, and children up to and including 5 are exempt. The payment portal says free under 6. For a child who is exactly 5, check the portal when you book.
Can I pay cash at the gate?
Do not count on it. The park works with cashless payment through KWSPay on eCitizen, so pay online before you go.
How long is the entry ticket valid?
One ticket gives a single entry and lasts 24 hours at most. If you leave the park, do not plan on coming back in with it.
Which gate should I use?
The Main Gate is 4 km from Nakuru city. The Lanet Gate suits a drive from Nairobi that avoids the city traffic. Nderit Gate is the third gate. Ask which routes are open before you choose.
Is lake-nakuru.org the official ticket shop?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by Kenya Wildlife Service or any operator, and it does not sell park tickets. You pay on the official payment portal.