How Do You Book and Pay for Nairobi National Park?

How to book Nairobi National Park comes down to one platform: you buy tickets online through KWSPay, the Kenya Wildlife Service payment platform on eCitizen. The 5 booking steps are signing in, choosing the park and date, adding visitors, adding the vehicle, and paying. M-Pesa, bank cards, bank transfer, and e-wallets all work as payment methods. The best time to book is the day before your visit, and at the gate you show the confirmation with the ID or passport used to book.

Where Do You Buy Tickets?

You buy tickets online through KWSPay, the Kenya Wildlife Service payment platform on eCitizen. The platform sits at kwspay.ecitizen.go.ke, and the KWS park page links to the same “Pay for Park Entry” route.

KWSPay replaced the older KWS eCitizen link for park payments. Rates for every visitor category sit in Nairobi National Park entry fees.

What Are the Steps to Book a Visit?

The 5 steps to book a visit are signing in, choosing the park and date, adding visitors, adding the vehicle, and paying:

1. Sign in to KWSPay with your eCitizen account.
2. Choose Nairobi National Park and the date of your visit.
3. Add each visitor with the right category and ID or passport number.
4. Enter the vehicle registration and the number of seats.
5. Pay the total and save the confirmation.

Download or screenshot the confirmation before you leave home. Mobile signal at the gate is weak at busy times.

Which Payment Methods Work?

The 4 payment methods that work are M-Pesa, bank cards, bank transfer, and e-wallets:

1. M-Pesa, which suits visitors with a Kenyan phone number.
2. Bank cards, which suit non-residents paying in US dollars.
3. Bank transfer, which suits schools and organised groups.
4. E-wallets, which suit visitors who already hold a digital wallet.

Card payments in dollars match the non-resident rates, which KWS prices in US dollars (Kenya Wildlife Service, 2025). Citizen and resident tickets are priced in Kenyan shillings.

When Is the Best Time to Book?

The best time to book is the day before your visit, because the gates are cashless and signal at the gate is weak. Booking ahead also keeps you out of the early-morning queue at the Main Gate.

Weekend and holiday mornings bring the longest queues. A ticket bought the night before lets you drive straight to the barrier at 6:00 AM.

What Do You Show at the Gate?

At the gate, you show the KWSPay confirmation and the ID or passport used to book. Rangers also check the vehicle registration and count the passengers against the booking.

Self-drivers handle these checks at the barrier, and rental terms sit on self drive car hire in Nairobi. A hired driver handles the gate formalities for you, as set out on car hire with driver in Nairobi.

What Time Do the Gates Open?

The gates open at 6:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM for day visitors. Sunday and holiday hours sit in Nairobi National Park opening hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an eCitizen Account Required?

Yes, KWSPay runs through an eCitizen account, so you register on eCitizen first. Registration takes a few minutes with an ID or passport.

Can a Tour Company Arrange Tickets?

Yes, a tour company can arrange tickets as part of a tour package, so ask before paying twice. Get the inclusions in writing.

Does One Booking Cover the Vehicle Too?

Yes, you add the vehicle to the same booking as the visitors. KWS charges the vehicle fee by seat count.

What Happens When a Payment Fails?

A failed payment leaves the booking unconfirmed, so retry or switch method before you travel. Check your M-Pesa or card statement before paying again.

Is the Old eCitizen Link Still Valid?

No, KWS moved park payments to KWSPay on eCitizen. Use the KWSPay address for every new booking.