{Photo courtesy of Rachel Claire}
By Hilda Kavai
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has put forth a proposal to increase conservation fees, sparking controversy among some members of the public.
As part of these changes, adult East African citizens and residents will now pay Sh2,000 to visit Nairobi National Park, a significant increase from the previous fee of Sh500.
The revised package for Nairobi National Park that includes Nairobi Animal Orphanage and Nairobi Safari Walk, will cost Sh2,250, with students paying Sh650.
During the previous low season, fees for East African citizens were capped at Sh600 for adults and Sh215 for students.
According to the new proposals, an adult EAC citizen/resident will now pay Sh1,000 to access to Amboseli and Lake Nakuru National Parks during the peak season of July to March.
A child or student will be charged Sh500.
Initially, an adult’s entrance charge to the two National Parks was Sh800.During the high season, an adult visitor from the rest of Africa will pay US $50 to access Amboseli and Lake Nakuru National Park during the high season of July to March while a child will pay US $20.
An adult international visitor will now pay US $100 during high season to access Amboseli and Lake Nakuru National Park while a student will pay US $35.Initially, an adult visiting such parks during high seasons used to pay US $70 and a student US $20.
Accessing Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park under the new proposals will now cost EAC adult Sh500 during the high season.
The same applies to Meru, Kora and Aberdare National Parks.
Animal tracking in selected parks with prior arrangement (per person) costs Sh2,000 for EAC citizens and those from the rest of Africa/Residents, and US $20 for international visitors.
Commercial photography and videography for feature films, commercials, adverts, dramas, music videos, and short films with the required permits will cost EAC citizens and those from the rest of Africa Sh10,000 per day, while overseas tourists will pay US $100.
KWS has defended the move saying there was strict adherence to the constitution, and the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013.
“The KWS conducted nationwide public participation forums between January 30 to the February 23, 2023, whose objective was to get public input on the revision of conservation fees for national parks and reserves,” Corporate Communications said in a statement.
KWS is mandated to undertake periodic, comprehensive reviews of its products and fees to ensure alignment and standardization with both local and international conservation and business landscapes.
The proposed conservation fees covers January 2024 to December 2025.