The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has responded to public outcry following reports of long queues and delays at the main entrance of Nairobi National Park.
Kenyans and tourists on Saturday, May 17, took to social media to express their frustration, sharing videos of tourist vehicles stalled in a long trail outside the park’s main gate.
The videos quickly went viral, sparking concern over the impact on tourism and visitor experience.
“The shambolic introduction that most tourists have to Kenya. Ever since the new system was introduced, everyone trying to enter Nairobi National Park has to sit in a queue for hours. Instead of seeing our wildlife, this is the first impression they have of our country,” wrote journalist Adrian Blomfield on X.
“We had pre-purchased tickets but there were so many cars they did not allow people to join the pre-paid queue (or some were and some weren’t — it was very chaotic).
KWS responds to long queues at Nairobi National Park Main Gate
In response, KWS issued a statement acknowledging the situation and apologising for the inconvenience caused to visitors.
The agency advised visitors to consider pre-paying for park entry via the eCitizen platform to enjoy Express Park Access, which significantly reduces waiting times.
KWS also reminded the public that, in addition to the Main Gate, the park has other fully operational entry points at East Gate (off Mombasa Road) and Mbagathi Gate (Magadi Road, opposite Multimedia University) that can help ease congestion.
“We understand that the excitement of visiting the park should never be overshadowed by long waits. We sincerely apologise for the long queues experienced this morning at the Nairobi National Park Main Gate. Your time and experience mean everything to us, and we’re working to make every visit as smooth as possible,” read part of the statement.
“By planning ahead and exploring all available options, you help us protect your time, your experience, and your park.”
Also Read: KWS Issues Update on Family That Went Missing in Tsavo National Park
The Nairobi National Park is a popular outing space for families, couples, and organized groups.
Nairobi National Park sites and entry fees
Common animal species include giraffe, leopard, zebra, buffalo, antelope, lion, black and white rhino, hippo, and crocodile.
Also, the park is a thriving rhino sanctuary and is one of Kenya’s most successful rhino conservation areas.
Picnic and event sites such as the Impala Observation Point, Ivory Burning Site, Kingfisher Picnic Site, the Club House, and Mokoyiet Picnic Site offer scenic grounds for weddings, bush dinners, team-building activities, corporate events, and casual picnic outings.
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Visitors can enjoy game drives through self-drive, hiring VIP tour vans, or using bus shuttles (commonly available during Easter and Christmas holidays).
According to the KWS website, park entry fees are Ksh430 for adults and Ksh215 for children (Citizens and Residents) and $43 for adults and $22 for children (Non-Residents).
Guided tour services are also available at Ksh1,720 for up to four hours, and KSh 3,015 for tours lasting over four hours.
VIP van hire is offered at Ksh10,000 for a session of up to 2.5 hours.
Vehicle entry fees range from Ksh300 to Ksh5,000 per day, depending on the vehicle’s seat capacity (from under 6 to over 45 seats).
All payments are processed through the eCitizen platform (https://kws.ecitizen.go.ke/) using MPesa, Visa, RTGS, or EFT.
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