How to Pay KWS Park Fees Through eCitizen: A Step by Step Guide

Updated 24 October 2026

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) no longer takes cash at most park gates, so you need to pay conservation fees online before you arrive. Payments still run through eCitizen, but since 1 November 2025 they go through a new KWS portal called KWSPay at kwspay.ecitizen.go.ke, which replaced the old kws.ecitizen.go.ke system. This guide explains how to pay, what it costs and what to do if a payment does not go through.

What changed in November 2025

In a joint statement on 1 November 2025, KWS Director General Erustus Kanga and eCitizen Director General Isaac Ochieng announced that the old eCitizen KWS platform had been replaced by KWSPay, with the new system going live at 6pm that day. KWSPay accepts M-Pesa, bank cards, bank transfers and an eWallet, and covers national parks, marine parks, reserves and sanctuaries managed by KWS.

The switch came a month after new park fees took effect on 1 October 2025 under the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access, Entry and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations, 2025. The new structure has four visitor categories: East African citizens, Kenya residents, African citizens and non residents.

Charges added at checkout

• Administrative fee. A small fee per transaction, set out in Gazette Notice No. 17422 of 22 December 2023.
• Gateway fee of 5 per cent. Approved by the Central Bank of Kenya for online payments to cover system costs.
• Card charges. Paying by bank card may attract up to 3.5 per cent more, depending on the card provider.
• Exchange rate. Dollar priced fees are converted at a monthly rate based on CBK rates, published on the KWS website and the KWSPay portal.

Budget for a little more than the headline park fee so the payment does not fall short.

Current entry fees for popular parks

These are the daily conservation fees in KWS’s October 2025 schedule for adults and children or students:

Vehicles pay separately. At Nairobi National Park, for example, a vehicle with fewer than six seats pays KSh 600 a day and a 6 to 12 seater pays KSh 1,500. Maasai Mara is not on KWSPay, because the reserve is managed by Narok County, with the Mara Triangle run by the Mara Conservancy, rather than by KWS.

Step 1: Get an eCitizen account

KWSPay sits inside eCitizen, so you log in with your eCitizen details. If you have used eCitizen for a passport or driving licence, the same login works. If not, follow our guide on how to create an eCitizen account, and see how to log in to eCitizen if you have trouble getting in.

Step 2: Book your park entry on KWSPay

1. Open kwspay.ecitizen.go.ke and sign in.
2. Choose single park entry, or create a trip if you are visiting more than one park.
3. Pick the park and your visit dates.
4. Enter the number of adults and children in each visitor category. Citizens should have their ID ready, since gate staff check that the category matches.
5. Add any vehicle, camping, boat or guide charges you need.
6. Review the total, including the gateway and administrative fees, and choose to pay in KSh or USD.

Step 3: Pay with M-Pesa, card or bank

The quickest option for most Kenyans is M-Pesa. At checkout, select M-Pesa and enter your phone number to get a prompt asking for your PIN. If the prompt does not appear, you can pay manually:

1. Go to M-Pesa and select Lipa na M-Pesa, then Pay Bill.
2. Enter business number 222222, the eCitizen paybill used for government services.
3. Enter the bill or booking reference shown on KWSPay as the account number.
4. Enter the exact amount, then your M-Pesa PIN.
5. Keep the M-Pesa confirmation SMS.

Card payments work for Visa and Mastercard, and bank transfers suit large group bookings.

Step 4: Download your ticket

After payment, download or screenshot your e-ticket with its QR code. Gate staff scan it when you arrive. Network is weak at many park gates, so save a copy on your phone rather than relying on loading it at the gate.

If your payment does not reflect

• Wait up to 30 minutes, then refresh your KWSPay bookings.
• If you paid through the paybill and the booking still shows unpaid, use the M-Pesa transaction code to follow up with KWS customer service at customerservice@kws.go.ke or on 020 2379407.
• Never pay twice for the same booking before confirming the first payment failed.
• If you sent money to the wrong paybill, call Safaricom on 100 quickly to ask for a reversal.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still pay KWS park fees through the old eCitizen portal?

No. Since 1 November 2025, KWS park fees are paid through KWSPay at kwspay.ecitizen.go.ke, which uses your eCitizen login.

What is the KWS paybill number?

Payments go through the eCitizen paybill 222222, using your KWSPay booking or bill reference as the account number.

How much is Nairobi National Park entry for Kenyans?

KSh 1,000 for an East African citizen adult and KSh 500 for a child, per day, under the October 2025 fees.

Is there an extra charge for paying online?

Yes. A 5 per cent gateway fee and a small administrative fee apply, and card payments may add up to 3.5 per cent.

Sources: KWS conservation fee schedule (October 2025); KWS Nairobi National Park page; joint KWS and eCitizen statement of 1 November 2025 as reported by Citizen Digital, Kenyans.co.ke and Tuko; KWS FAQs and contacts.