Kenyans will this weekend have a rare chance to enjoy some of the country’s most spectacular natural treasures without paying an entry fee.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has announced that in celebration of World Tourism Day 2025, all its managed national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries will offer free entry on Saturday, September 27.
Free entry will be available in Aberdare National Park in Nyeri and Nyandarua, Amboseli National Park in Kajiado, Central Island National Park on Lake Turkana, Chyulu Hills National Park in Kibwezi, and Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha.
Visitors can also enjoy Kakamega Forest National Reserve in Kakamega, Kisite Mpunguti National Park & Reserve in Shimoni, Kisumu Impala Sanctuary in Kisumu, Kiunga Marine National Reserve in Lamu, and Kora National Park on the Meru–Tana River border.
Other parks and reserves open for free access include Lake Elementaita Wildlife Sanctuary in Elementaita, Lake Nakuru National Park in Nakuru, and Malindi Marine National Park & Reserve in Malindi.
Also included are Malka Mari National Park in Mandera, Marsabit National Park in Marsabit, Meru National Park in Meru and Tharaka Nithi, Mombasa Marine National Park & Reserve in Mombasa, Mount Elgon National Park in Bungoma and Trans-Nzoia, Mount Kenya National Park in Nyeri, Nanyuki and Chogoria, as well as Mount Longonot National Park in Mai Mahiu.
In addition, Mwea National Reserve in Embu, the Nairobi Animal Orphanage, Nairobi National Park, and Nairobi Safari Walk will all be open free of charge.
Ndere Island National Park in Kisumu, Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park in Donyo Sabuk Centre, Ruma National Park in Homa Bay, Saiwa Swamp National Park in Kitale, Shimba Hills National Reserve in Kwale, and Sibiloi National Park in Turkana are also part of the initiative.
The list further includes South Island National Park on Lake Turkana, Tsavo East National Park in Voi, Tsavo West National Park in Mtito Andei, and Watamu Marine National Park & Reserve in Watamu, giving Kenyans and visitors a wide variety of natural wonders to explore at no cost.
In a notice on Tuesday, September 23, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the free entry is to mark the United Nations World Tourism Day.
“To honor this significant occasion, I am thrilled to announce that the Government of Kenya is offering free entry to all Kenyan citizens to visit Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)-managed national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries on Saturday, September 27th, 2025,” read the notice in part.
Miano said the initiative aims to give Kenyans an opportunity to reconnect with the country’s wildlife heritage, deepen collective commitment to conservation, and experience the unparalleled beauty of natural treasures.
“By opening the gates to these iconic spaces, we aim to foster a greater appreciation of Kenya’s rich biodiversity and inspire a shared responsibility to protect it for generations to come,” she stated.
Miano called on Kenyans to take advantage of the opportunity to explore, learn, and celebrate the beauty of Kenya’s natural treasures.
“We invite all Kenyans to take advantage of this opportunity to explore, learn, and celebrate the wonders of our parks, reserves, and sanctuaries, which are not just Kenya’s pride but the world’s heritage,” she added.
Additionally, the National Museums announced that they will open all their museums, sites, and monuments across the country for free over the weekend.
In a notice on Wednesday, September 24, the institution confirmed that the facilities will be open to all on Saturday, September 27, and Sunday, September 28, in celebration of World Tourism Day.
“The National Museums of Kenya is pleased to announce that in celebration of World Tourism Day, there will be free entry to all our museums, sites, and monuments across the country on Saturday, September 27, and Sunday, September 28,” the notice read.
The National Museums emphasized that the special access will only be available to citizens, inviting Kenyans to take advantage of the two days.
“This offer is exclusively available to Kenyan citizens. We welcome you to take this opportunity to explore, learn, and celebrate Kenya’s rich cultural and natural heritage,” the notice added.
