Hell's Gate National Park entry fee in 2026
The Hell's Gate National Park entry fee depends on who you are, not on the season. The tariff of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has four visitor groups: East African citizens, Kenya residents, non-residents and African citizens from outside East Africa. Children and qualifying students pay a lower rate, and vehicles pay a daily fee on top.
The tariff in force since 1 October 2025 is the one below. Entry is a single visit and is valid for up to 24 hours. It does not include cycling, a ranger escort, camping or the geothermal spa, which are charged separately.
Our picks: tours and how they handle the park entry
Check the card before you add up the cost: the van day trips leave the park entry to you, while one option on the bike-and-boat day covers it. Whatever you book, pay the entry as the park requires it.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Hell's Gate by bike and Lake Naivasha by boat
- Hotel or airport transfer
- English-speaking guide
- Drinking water
A long day from Nairobi with a stop at the lake. The park entry, the bike fees and the boat ride are only covered with the entry option, so check which option you book.
Check availability →
Hell's Gate and Lake Naivasha by van
- Nairobi hotel transfer
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Transport by van
A day by van with a boat leg on the programme. The park entry, bike hire with a guide and the bike fee are paid on top.
Check availability →
Hell's Gate and Lake Naivasha day trip
- Hotel transfer
- Mineral water
About three hours in the park and one on the lake. The park entry is paid on top, and the park and boat parts are billed as extra fees.
Check availability →Hell's Gate tours with entry arranged
Day trips and cycling tours with live prices and availability. Check whether park entry is included before you book.
Entry rates per person (2026)
Hell's Gate park fees for one visit of up to 24 hours.
| Visitor group | Adult | Child or student |
|---|---|---|
| East African citizen, including Kenyan citizens | KES 500 | KES 250 |
| Kenya resident | KES 675 | KES 350 |
| Non-resident (outside the African categories) | $50 | $25 |
| African citizen from outside East Africa | $20 | $10 |
A resident needs a valid Kenyan residence permit, and a tourist is not a resident. The student rate is for a documented, organized educational visit from a recognized institution, up to age 23. A child is a person from 5 up to 17. Children aged 5 and under are exempt, so ask at payment if a child has just turned 5. People with disabilities, Kenyan citizens aged 70 and over and certain registered tour professionals are exempt. For most foreign visitors, the number to plan with is $50 per adult.
Vehicle fees and parking
Charged per day, on top of the person rates.
| Vehicle size | Fee per day |
|---|---|
| Under 6 seats | KES 600 |
| 6 to 12 seats | KES 1,500 |
| 13 to 24 seats | KES 3,000 |
| 25 to 44 seats | KES 4,500 |
| 45 seats and more | KES 5,000 |
A parking fee of KES 1,000 for East African citizens or $30 for non-residents also exists. It does not apply to visitors who hold paid park tickets, so do not add it to every ticket. A small saloon car is in the first row. A minibus from a day trip is usually in the second.
Hell's Gate park fees: what costs extra
Entry is only the first line of the bill.
Cycling
A bicycle activity fee applies: KES 300 for East African citizens and residents, $10 for non-residents. Your own bike is not exempt. Bike hire is a separate payment to the hire shop.
Cycling costs →Ranger escort
A ranger escort costs KES 2,000 for up to 4 hours and KES 4,000 for longer, with a minimum of 2 rangers. It is a different service from a community guide.
Gorge and guides →Camping
A non-resident pays $20 per adult at a public campsite and $35 at a special one. Entry is charged separately.
Camping fees →Spa
The Olkaria Geothermal Spa sells its own tickets, and park entry is required to reach it.
Spa guide →Gates, hours and how to pay
What to sort out before you drive up.
Gates
Elsa Gate is the main road access. Olkaria Gate is a second access, so check which gate fits your route before you leave. Gate hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with an exception for overnight guests.
Road from Nairobi →Paying online
Plan to pay in advance through eCitizen, the KWS payment channel, and do not count on paying cash at the gate. Online payment can add a gateway fee of roughly 5 to 8.5 percent, so check the total on the payment page.
A court challenge to the new rates
The non-resident rates have been under court challenge since they started on 1 October 2025, so check the current amount before you go. Pay the amount the payment page shows and keep the receipt.
Park fees in other parks
If your trip includes Nairobi, compare the city park on its own page: Nairobi National Park entry fee.
Examples of what you pay
Three typical visits, using the rates above.
Two tourists and a child in a rental car
Two non-resident adults and one child pay $50 + $50 + $25, which is $125 for entry. The car falls in the first vehicle row and adds KES 600 for the day.
A Kenya resident couple on bikes
Each adult pays KES 675 for entry and KES 300 for the bicycle fee, and bike hire comes on top. They need a valid Kenyan residence permit to get the resident rate.
A school group on a bus
A recognized educational visit that is documented and organized pays the student rate, up to age 23. A bus with 25 to 44 seats adds KES 4,500 for the day.
These are examples, not quotes. Always check the amount on the payment page. See cycling for the bicycle fee and tours for day trips that bundle entry.
Hell's Gate entry fee: frequently asked questions
How much is the Hell's Gate National Park entry fee for tourists?
A non-resident adult pays $50 and a child or qualifying student $25 in 2026. Add a vehicle fee if you drive, and the bicycle fee if you cycle.
Can I pay at the gate?
Plan to pay in advance online and do not count on cash at the gate. Check the payment steps on the day before you travel.
Is the ticket valid for more than one day?
No. It gives one entry and is valid for up to 24 hours. If you stay overnight, ask how the campsite and the entry fee work together.
Are kids free?
Children from 5 up to 17 pay the child rate. Children aged 5 and under are exempt, so confirm the rate at payment if your child is 5.
Does the entry fee include the gorge or the spa?
No. Entry covers the park. The gorge depends on access and guides on the day, and the spa has its own ticket.
Is this the official KWS website?
No. This is an independent guide to the park. It does not sell park tickets, and payment goes through the KWS channels only.