Park Fees & Planning
The Masai Mara uses a different fee structure, a different payment system, and a different ticket validity window from every other park in Kenya. This guide breaks down exactly what you’ll pay in 2026 — and how to avoid the most common (and costly) surprises at the gate.
Non-resident adults pay $100 per day (January–June) or $200 per day (July–December). Tickets are valid for only 12 hours (6:00 AM–6:00 PM) — not the 24-hour window used at KWS-managed parks. Overnight guests must exit by 10:00 AM on departure day or pay a full extra day’s fee. Payments go through the Narok County portal, not the KWS eCitizen system. Most safari packages include park fees in the quoted price, but always confirm before comparing costs.
| Visitor Category | Jan – Jun 2026 | Jul – Dec 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Resident Adult | $100 / day | $200 / day |
| Non-Resident Child (9–17) | $50 / day | $50 / day |
| Non-Resident Child (0–8) | Free | Free |
| Kenyan Citizen Adult | KES 1,500 / day | KES 3,000 / day |
| East African Resident Adult | KES 2,500 / day | KES 5,000 / day |
| Narok County Resident Adult | KES 1,000 / day | KES 2,000 / day |
Why the jump in July? Fees roughly double from July 1st through December 31st, coinciding with the start of the Great Wildebeest Migration and peak tourist season. Pricing is based on the calendar date of entry, not when you booked — arriving June 30th and staying through July 1st means you pay the higher rate for the second day.
For a complete comparison of what different Kenya parks cost side-by-side, see our Kenya safari cost breakdown.
The Masai Mara National Reserve pairs naturally with Kenya’s other iconic destinations. Most travellers add a hot air balloon safari over the Mara plains at sunrise, continue to Lake Nakuru National Park for rhinos and flamingos in the Great Rift Valley, or round out the Big Five with a visit to Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Longer itineraries often include Amboseli National Park for elephant herds beneath Mount Kilimanjaro, or extend across the border into Tanzania’s Serengeti for the full Great Migration experience. Browse live availability for related Masai Mara and Kenya safari tours below:
This is the single most common source of unexpected charges at the Mara’s gates, and it works differently from most other Kenyan parks:
Because the Masai Mara is managed by the Narok County Government rather than the Kenya Wildlife Service, it uses an entirely separate payment system from every other Kenyan national park:
| Gate | Notes |
|---|---|
| Sekenani | The busiest and most commonly used gate for road access from Nairobi |
| Talek | Eastern side; popular with self-drive visitors |
| Oloolaimutia | Central access; good for mid-Mara lodges |
| Musiara | Northern access; closest to the famous Mara River crossing sites |
| Sand River | Southern gate, near the Tanzania border; used for cross-border itineraries |
| Oloololo (Mara Triangle) | Cashless payments only; a separate transit permit from Sekenani is required first |
For everything you need to plan a full Masai Mara safari — wildlife, conservancies, lodges, and the Migration calendar — see our complete Masai Mara guide.
If you are self-driving and camping rather than staying at a lodge or tented camp:
In most cases, yes — the majority of Masai Mara safari packages (whether budget, mid-range, or luxury) build the park entry fee into the total quoted price. However, this isn’t universal.
Always explicitly confirm with your tour operator whether park fees are included before comparing package prices. A quote that excludes fees can appear significantly cheaper than a comparable package that includes them — especially during peak season (July–December) when the non-resident fee is $200 per person per day.
The tours featured on this page include park fees in their quoted prices. If you’re comparing other options, see our Kenya safari packages guide for what to look for.
Three well-reviewed Masai Mara packages with park fees included in the quoted price — covering group and private options from a 4-day starter circuit to a comprehensive 9-day Kenya safari. All bookable instantly on GetYourGuide with free cancellation:
Non-resident adults pay $100 per day from January through June, rising to $200 per day from July through December. Children aged 9–17 pay a flat $50 year-round; children 8 and under enter free. For context on how these fees compare across Kenya’s parks, see our Kenya safari cost breakdown.
No — this is the most common point of confusion. Mara tickets are valid for 12 hours (6:00 AM–6:00 PM). Overnight guests must exit by 10:00 AM on departure day to avoid being charged a full additional day’s fee. The KWS parks (Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Nairobi National Park) all use a 24-hour window instead.
No. The Mara is managed by Narok County, not the Kenya Wildlife Service, and uses a separate payment portal from the KWS eCitizen system. Payments go through the Narok County or KAPS portal. Most gates accept cash (USD or KES), card, or M-Pesa; the Mara Triangle (Oloololo Gate) is cashless only.
Usually, but not always — confirm directly with your operator before comparing quotes. Some budget packages advertise a base price that excludes the $100–$200/day entry fee, which can significantly understate the real cost. The packages featured on this page include park entry fees in their listed prices.
Our featured packages include park entry fees in the quoted price — no surprises at the gate. Compare the options above, or start with the full Masai Mara planning guide.
Masai Mara Safari Guide • Packages from Nairobi • Great Migration Guide
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