The Narok County Government has tripled entry fees to Masai Mara National Park after four months of heated debate over the matter.
The new rates that will take effect from January 2024 will see Kenyan adult citizens now pay Ksh3,000 from Ksh1,000. Children and students will pay Ksh1,000 from Ksh300.
Narok residents, on the other hand, will part with Ksh2,000 for adults, and Ksh500 for children above 10 years while those below 10 years of age will gain free entrance.
Regionally, East African residents will pay Ksh4,500 (adults). Children's and students' rates were pegged at Ksh2,000 each.
Rates for foreigners, on the other hand, increased to Ksh15,060 (USD100) between January and June and Ksh30,120 (USD200) for the rest of the year.
Foreign children and students will be expected to pay Ksh7,530.
"Narok County Government has confirmed that the Masai Mara Park Fees for 2024 will be increased to USD 100 per non-resident adult per day from January 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024, and USD 200 per non-resident adult per day, from July 1 2024 onwards," read a notice on its website in part.
"These increased rates were a proposal but have now been confirmed by the County Government as of mid-October 2023."
The county government further indicated that the park fees will be influenced by whether visitors reside within the park or outside.
For the remainder of 2023, for all visitors residing inside the main national reserve, the entrance fee is 10,542 (USD70) per adult per day and Ksh6,024 (USD40) per child under 12 years of age.
Those living outside will part with Ksh12,048 for adults and Ksh6,777 for children.
Beginning 2024, the fee for Kenyan adults will rise from Ksh1,000 while children and students, who initially paid Ksh300, will pay Ksh1,000.
For the rest of 2023, East African residents will be expected to pay Ksh 1,200 (adults) and Ksh500 for children and students. The fee will rise to Ksh4,500 (adults) and Ksh2,000 (children and students).
Vehicles with less than six seats will pay Ksh500, those with between 6 and 12 seats will be expected to pay Ksh1,000 while vans with between 12 and 24 seats will pay Ksh3,000. Vehicles with between and 44 seats will part with Ksh4,000.
