The government has announced free entry into all parks, including national parks, game reserves and sanctuaries on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
In a statement, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the free entry was to mark the United Nations World Tourism Day, which is celebrated annually.
She added that the move also aligned with this year's theme of 'Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,' which highlights the power of tourism to drive positive change for societies and the economy.
"To honour this significant occasion, I am thrilled to announce that the Government of Kenya is offering free entry to all Kenyan citizens to visit Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)-managed national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries," Miano said.
The initiative presents a rare chance for Kenyans to reconnect with the breath-taking wildlife heritage and deepen the collective commitment to conservation.
In her speech, the CS emphasised that the free park entry aimed to foster an appreciation of Kenya's rich biodiversity and inspire a shared responsibility to protect it for generations to come.
"We invite all Kenyans to take advantage of this opportunity to explore, learn, and celebrate the wonders of our parks, reserves, and sanctuaries, which are not just Kenya's pride but the world's heritage," she added.
Kenyans who seek guidelines on free entry were directed to visit the KWS website on kws.go.ke or follow all the service's social media platforms for prompt updates.
Additionally, Kenyans can also reach out to the wildlife service's toll-free number at 0800597000 or make inquiries via its WhatsApp Customer number at 0726610509.
The United Nations World Tourism Day was established in 1980 to inform the global community about the significance of tourism for social and economic impact.
Meanwhile, the free entry on September 27 comes amidst the government's plan to hike the park entry fee to address the Ksh12 billion annual budget deficit.
The Ministry of Tourism has already completed public participation for the draft law in 29 counties. The piece of legislation seeks to hike the park entry fee from Ksh430 to Ksh1,000 for Kenyans and foreigners would pay Ksh10,360 up from Ksh5,570.
It, however, exempts charges on licensed tour guides, porters, boat crew, children under five years and adults who are over 70 years. The proposal also exempts people with disability from paying the entry fee.
