Visitors at the national parks in the country will now be able tp purchase seasonal park entry tickets effective 1st July 2022.
According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) , he seasonal fees have low and high seasons unlike the current uniform charges.
The changes are an effort to bridge seasonality and encourage visitation to the parks all-round the year. The low season covers the period 1st March to 30th June, while the high season covers 1st July to 28th February.
The new rates Gazetted by the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Hon. Najib Balala can be accessed on KWS website
In a statement, KWS said visitation by both residents and non-residents to KWS parks is highly seasonal, creating fluctuations in all tourism business. This has caused operational and financial constraints not only to KWS but to communities around parks depending on tourism.
The wildlife service said by creating a seasonal tariff structure, it is projected that tour operators and other visitors will take advantage of attractive discounts to visit the parks. This arrangement is expected to make Kenya’s Parks attractive year-round destinations.
Park fees are used for conservation and protection of wildlife specifically, Human wildlife conflict mitigation, erection of fences, ecosystem restorations and infrastructure maintenance. It is also used to support communities around the parks through water provision, construction of health facilities, build classrooms, undertake education and outreach programs.
Through this, the service ensures Kenya’s wildlife and its habitats are conserved for posterity while improving community livelihoods.