UPDATED FOR 2026
Maasai Mara Park Fees & Rules
Your essential guide to entry costs, vehicle regulations, and conservation rules. Plan your safari budget with confidence.
Your essential guide to entry costs, vehicle regulations, and conservation rules. Plan your safari budget with confidence.
Gates open 06:00 - 18:00. The 12-hour ticket validity rule applies strictly within these operational hours.
Online booking is recommended. Gate policies vary by sector (Cash/Card vs. Cashless).
You must present a valid Passport (Non-Residents) or National ID (Residents) to verify category.
100% of fees contribute directly to anti-poaching units, road maintenance, and community projects.
The ecosystem is managed by two separate entities. Payment rules differ by location.
Skip the queues. Use the official KAPS / Narok County booking portal to secure tickets in advance.
Make Online PaymentUnlike many other parks, the Maasai Mara strictly enforces a 12-Hour Validity Rule. Tickets expire at 6:00 PM regardless of entry time.
For day trips, arrive as close to 6:00 AM as possible to maximize your viewing time.
Book accommodation inside the park to avoid the hassle of exiting and re-entering daily.
If you want a morning game drive on your last day, budget for an extra day's ticket.
Leave plenty of time to reach the gate by 6 PM (or 10 AM checkout) to avoid penalties.
Select your visitor category below. Seasonal rates apply to ALL categories. Fees are valid for 12 hours.
Plan your budget with precision. Our smart calculator handles split-season trips, mixed groups, and vehicle fees automatically.
| Arrival Date | Departure Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
| Vehicle Type | Quantity | Total Fee (KES) |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
| Category | Adults | Children | Students |
|---|
This is an estimate based on 2026 park fees. Final charges are assessed at the gate by Narok County/Mara Conservancy.
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Comprehensive rates for vehicles, camping, aircraft landing, and ranger services.
| Vehicle Category (Tare Weight) | Seats / Capacity | Fee (KES) |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / Station Wagon | Up to 5 Seats | 400 |
| Safari Van / Land Cruiser | 6 - 12 Seats | 1,000 |
| Minibus / Truck | 13 - 24 Seats | 3,000 |
| Bus / Overland Truck | 25 - 44 Seats | 4,000 |
| Large Bus | 45+ Seats | 5,000 |
| Campsite Type | Traveler Category | Adult Fee | Student / Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Campsite Eluai, Iseiya, Oloololo | Citizen | KES 1,000 | KES 200 |
| Resident | KES 1,200 | KES 500 | |
| Non-Resident | $ 30 | $ 20 | |
| Private Campsite Dirisha, Kijito, Ndovu | Citizen | KES 1,500 | KES 500 |
| Resident | KES 1,500 | KES 1,000 | |
| Non-Resident | $ 40 | $ 20 |
| Service Description | Duration | Fee (KES) |
|---|---|---|
| Game Drive Guide | 6 Hours (Half Day) | 3,000 |
| Night Game Drive | Per Person / Trip | 3,000 |
| Walking Safari | Per Person / Walk | 1,500 |
| Camp Security (2 Rangers) | Per Night | 4,000 |
| Aircraft Capacity | Landing Fee (KES) |
|---|---|
| 3 to 6 Seats | 300 |
| 7 to 14 Seats | 1,000 |
| 15 to 20 Seats | 2,000 |
| 21 Seats and Above | 3,000 |
| Activity / Permit | Rate |
|---|---|
| Balloon Operation | KES 50,000 / flight |
| Commercial Photography | KES 5,000 / day |
| Horse Riding | KES 1,500 / person |
| Annual Research Permit | KES 50,000 |
To protect the fragile ecosystem and ensure wildlife safety, the following Code of Conduct is strictly enforced by rangers. On-the-spot fines apply for violations.
Driving off designated tracks is strictly prohibited in the National Reserve to protect fragile habitats. Off-roading is only permitted in specific Conservancies.
Fine: KES 10,000+The maximum speed limit is 50km/h. Animals always have the right of way. Speeding endangers wildlife and causes roadkill.
Strictly EnforcedMaintain a distance of at least 25 meters from wildlife. Do not crowd the animals. No more than 5 vehicles allowed at a single sighting.
Respect WildlifeGame drives are only allowed between 06:00 and 18:00 in the National Reserve. Night drives are exclusive to private conservancies.
Gate Closes 18:00The operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) is strictly banned without prior special authorization from KCAA and Park Authorities.
Confiscation RiskDo not get out of your vehicle except at designated picnic sites or lodges. Predators are camouflaged and dangerous.
Safety FirstKeep noise to a minimum. Do not shout, clap, or hoot to attract animals' attention. It stresses them and ruins the experience for others.
Be Considerate"Pack it in, pack it out." Never throw trash, cigarette butts, or food scraps. Feeding animals is strictly forbidden as it alters their behavior.
Zero ToleranceWhen meeting the Maasai community, always ask for permission before taking photographs. Respect their culture and privacy.
Cultural EtiquetteNavigating the Mara can be complex. Use this map to find the correct entry point based on your lodge location and ticket type.
Hover over any gate or airstrip on the map to see specific details, road conditions, and nearby lodges.
Finding the most convenient entry point for your safari itinerary.
Common questions about payments, rules, and logistics to help you plan a seamless safari.
It depends on the sector. In the Mara Triangle, cash is strictly prohibited (Card/M-Pesa only). In the Greater Maasai Mara (Narok County gates), cash (USD/KES) and cards are accepted, though online booking is highly recommended to save time.
No. Tickets adhere to a strictly enforced 12-Hour Validity Rule (06:00 to 18:00). Your ticket expires at 6:00 PM on the day of entry, regardless of what time you arrived.
Yes. All Non-Resident visitors must present a valid physical Passport at the gate. Residents and Citizens must produce a valid National ID or Work Permit to qualify for discounted rates.
Generally, No. They are managed by separate entities (Mara Conservancy vs. Narok County). If you transit from one to the other for a game drive, you typically need to pay the respective entry fee for that jurisdiction.
The Child Rate applies to those aged 9 to 17 years. Children aged 8 years and below enter free of charge. Students (18-23) require a valid Student ID from a recognized institution.
No. The recreational use of drones is strictly prohibited. Commercial filming requires special prior permits from the KCAA and Park Authorities, which must be arranged weeks in advance.
Yes. Self-drive safaris are permitted. However, you must stick to designated tracks, observe the 50km/h speed limit, and exit by 18:00. 4x4 vehicles are highly recommended due to rough terrain.
No printing services are available at the gates. You must print your ticket beforehand or have a digital PDF copy readily available on your phone for scanning by rangers.
Strictly prohibited. Kenya has a nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags. Additionally, plastic water bottles are discouraged in the park. Please bring reusable water bottles.
Do not alight from your vehicle. Call the emergency park ranger number immediately (numbers are usually posted at gates). Rangers will come to assist or tow you to safety.
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Narok County Kenya.