Nairobi National Park gates
Use Main Gate on Lang'ata Road from city hotels, East Gate from JKIA, and Mbagathi Gate on Magadi Road from Karen, Rongai and the Sheldrick side. Every gate opens at 06:00, closes at 18:00, and is cashless.
Short answer (updated October 2026): Three gates are open: Main Gate on Lang'ata Road for city hotels, East Gate off Mombasa Road for JKIA, and Mbagathi Gate on Magadi Road for Karen and Rongai. Cheetah Gate is closed. All gates open from 06:00 to 18:00 and take cashless payment only.
| Gate | Use it when | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main Gate, Lang'ata Road | You stay in the CBD, Westlands, Kilimani, Karen or Lang'ata | KWS headquarters. The Animal Orphanage and Safari Walk are beside it. The Ivory Burning Site is just inside. |
| East Gate | You are on a JKIA layover or stay on Mombasa Road | Fastest route onto the Athi plains, the dams and Hippo Pools. |
| Mbagathi Gate | You stay in Kitengela, Athi River or a lodge south of the park | Quieter southern access. |
Main Gate
Main Gate is on Lang'ata Road, about 8 km from the Nairobi CBD, at the Kenya Wildlife Service headquarters. It is the visitor default and the gate our hotel pickups use from Westlands, Kilimani and the CBD. From here the drive reaches the Ivory Burning Site, the western dams and the Mokoyeti woodland within minutes. The Nairobi Safari Walk and Animal Orphanage sit beside the gate, and the Sheldrick nursery is a short drive away.
East Gate
East Gate is on the south-eastern side, near Mombasa Road and the airport. It is usually 20 to 40 minutes from JKIA, depending on traffic. We use it on the JKIA layover safari so you never cross the city. The plains open quickly: Athi Dam, Hippo Pools and the skyline viewpoints.
Mbagathi Gate
Mbagathi Gate, once the KWS Workshop Gate, is on Magadi Road in the south-west and opened to the public on 23 November 2021. It is the access point for the Sheldrick nursery and suits guests staying in Karen, southern Lang'ata or Ongata Rongai. Cheetah Gate and Lang'ata Gate are closed to visitors, and Maasai Gate is for annual pass holders. Tell us where you sleep and we choose the gate.
Hours and payment
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 06:00 to 18:00 every day. See opening hours |
| Payment | Cashless. Buy your ticket on KWSPay before you arrive |
| Entry fee | Non-resident adult $80, Kenya resident KSh 1,350, citizen KSh 1,000. See all fees |
Nairobi National Park contacts
| Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Park rules, tickets, gate problems | Kenya Wildlife Service: customerservice@kws.go.ke, toll free 0800 597 000, hotline 0758 854 363 |
| Book a game drive, hotel pickup or a quote | Nairobi National Park Tours: WhatsApp +254 725 431 452, email bookings@nairobinationalparktours.co.ke |
Skip the drive to the gate: every private tour includes hotel pickup, and the weekend drive meets at Kencom in the CBD.
Quick answers
Which is the main gate of Nairobi National Park?
Main Gate on Lang'ata Road, at the KWS headquarters, about 8 km from the CBD. Most visitors from city hotels enter here.
Which gate is closest to JKIA?
East Gate, on the airport side of the park. We use it for layover safaris.
Is Cheetah Gate open?
No. Cheetah Gate is closed. From the south-west, use Mbagathi Gate on Magadi Road, open to the public since November 2021.
What time do the gates open?
06:00. They close at 18:00, every day.
What are the Nairobi National Park contacts?
Kenya Wildlife Service: customerservice@kws.go.ke, toll free 0800 597 000, hotline 0758 854 363. To book a game drive, WhatsApp us on +254 725 431 452.
Which gate should I use from Westlands, Karen or the CBD?
Main Gate on Lang'ata Road is the usual gate from the city, Westlands and Karen. East Gate is the one closest to JKIA.
Related pages
Book this safari
Send the date, the group, and the pickup. We confirm availability on WhatsApp or email, with the tour price and the park fees to budget. See our deposit and cancellation policy.