Maasai Mara park fees in 2026
Narok County sets the entry fees for the Maasai Mara National Reserve. They are not the same as the national park fees of the Kenya Wildlife Service, and those should not be applied to the Mara. Fees are charged per person and per day. The year has two seasons: a lower rate from January to June and a higher rate from July to December.
The higher season starts on 1 July and runs to the end of December. It does not follow the Migration, and November and December still count as higher season. A day ticket is not valid for 24 hours. In the Mara Triangle it covers 06:00 to 18:00, whenever you enter, and does not carry over into the night.
Daily fees by visitor group
Per person and day. The dollar rows are for non-residents, who make up most visitors.
| Visitor | January to June | July to December |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident adult | $100 | $200 |
| Non-resident child, 9 to 17 years | $50 | $50 |
| Child up to and including 8 years | Free | Free |
| Non-resident student | $50 | $50 |
| Kenyan citizen, adult | KES 1,500 | KES 3,000 |
| East African resident, adult | KES 2,500 | KES 5,000 |
| Narok resident, adult | KES 1,000 | KES 2,000 |
The student rate is not a holiday discount. It applies to organised groups of 12 or more, aged up to 23, from a recognised institution with a valid student card, on a school trip or approved research. The permit is needed at least 2 weeks ahead. Private holidays do not qualify. Camps sometimes use other age bands for children in their quotes, so confirm the ages in writing.
Maasai Mara tours with park entry options
Safaris and day trips, with live prices and availability. Check whether park fees are in the price or charged on top.
Proof, vehicles and what the fee does not cover
Points that change the bill at the gate.
Bring proof of status
The Mara Triangle asks for a passport, a national ID or, for a Kenyan child, a birth certificate. A driving licence is not enough. Without proof you are charged the non-resident rate.
Vehicles are charged separately
Vehicles pay a fee in Kenyan shillings, and the amount depends on the number of seats. Ask your operator which vehicle fee is in your quote instead of assuming it is part of the person fee.
Full board is not entry
Camp rate sheets list park fees or community fees as extras. Compare quotes by the number of nights, the number of park days charged and the unit of each price. What a safari costs →
Your departure day
Do not assume you leave free on the morning of departure. Ask your operator to list every park day charged in the quote, including the first and the last.
Conservancies charge their own fees
Private land next to the reserve has separate nightly fees, and reserve entry on excursions is added. Conservancies →
A checklist for comparing quotes
Two safari quotes can look far apart and still cost the same once the extras are added. Before you compare, ask each operator for the following:
- Park days: the number of days charged, and which dates they fall on.
- Season: whether each day falls before or after 1 July, since the rate doubles for adults.
- People: how many adults and how many children, with their ages.
- Vehicle: whether a vehicle fee is included, and for how many seats.
- Extras: any community fee, conservancy fee or landing fee that is added on top.
A written list of these five points makes quotes comparable. It also shows you which operator has left a cost out of the headline price.
How to pay in the Mara Triangle
The Mara Triangle does not take cash for park fees. You can pay with M-Pesa or a credit card. Tickets are sold online through the KAPS system with a Visa card, or by authorised KAPS staff at Purungat Bridge, Oloololo Gate and Serena Airstrip.
If you sleep in the Triangle and enter by the Sekenani Gate, pay the fee when you cross Purungat Bridge. Do not plan on paying twice as a rule. This rule applies to the Triangle. Do not assume it holds at every other gate of the reserve. Payment methods can change, so check the current method with your operator before you go.
Gate hours in the Triangle are 06:00 to 19:00, with no entry after 18:30, but the day ticket ends at 18:00. For the route to each gate, read getting there. For fees on the Tanzanian side, see the Serengeti park fees page.
Maasai Mara park fees: frequently asked questions
How much is the park fee for a tourist in 2026?
A non-resident adult pays $100 a day from January to June and $200 a day from July to December. Children aged 9 to 17 pay $50, and children up to 8 years are free.
Is the ticket valid for 24 hours?
No. In the Mara Triangle the day ticket covers 06:00 to 18:00, whenever you enter. It does not carry over into the night, so a stay that crosses a night needs the park days counted in your quote.
When does the higher rate start?
On 1 July, and it runs to the end of December. It does not end when the Migration ends. See the migration page for the herd months.
Can I pay in cash?
Not in the Mara Triangle. Use M-Pesa or a credit card, online or with authorised staff at Purungat Bridge, Oloololo Gate or Serena Airstrip.
Do students pay less?
The student rate is $50, but only for organised groups of 12 or more, up to age 23, on a school trip or approved research, with a permit at least 2 weeks ahead. A private holiday does not qualify.
Which documents do I need at the gate?
A passport or national ID. A Kenyan child needs a birth certificate. A driving licence is not enough, and without proof you pay the non-resident rate.
Is the Kenya Wildlife Service fee list valid for the Mara?
No. Narok County sets its own fees for the reserve, and the Triangle uses the KAPS system for payment.