KWS Plans Free Entry to Parks for Elderly, Children, and Registered Guides

Kenya Wildlife Service has proposed new regulations that would exempt senior citizens, young children, persons with disabilities, and registered tourism workers from paying entry fees to national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries.

The draft Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations, 2025, were introduced at a stakeholder forum in Nairobi and are part of broader efforts to improve access to Kenya’s protected areas. Developed in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, the proposals aim to remove financial barriers for vulnerable groups and recognise the role of frontline workers in the tourism industry.

Under the draft regulations, free entry would be granted to Kenyan citizens aged 70 and above, children under five years, and persons with disabilities. The same exemption would apply to tour guides, drivers, boat crew members, and porters, provided they are licensed and registered by the Tourism Regulatory Authority.

The framework also includes exemptions for fishing vessels registered under Beach Management Units (BMUs), which would not be required to pay anchoring fees in marine protected areas. All individuals seeking waivers would need to present valid documentation, such as national identity cards, disability certificates, or professional licences.

Kenya Wildlife Service Director General, Prof Erustus Kanga, said the proposed changes are guided by principles of fairness and recognition for individuals who have contributed to the country’s tourism and conservation sectors. 

“The new regulations have considered vulnerable and special groups. This is about fairness, dignity, and recognition,” he said.

The draft also outlines a new visitor categorisation system with four distinct groups: East African citizens, Kenyan residents, African citizens from outside the East African Community, and non-residents. Each category would be subject to different fee structures, reflecting both regional cooperation and international tourism trends.