Nairobi National Park Safari Cost Report 2026
What a guided Nairobi National Park safari really costs in October 2026, from tour price to park ticket, for solo travellers, couples, families and groups. Updated 6 October 2026.
Adding the Mara, Amboseli or the coast? Price the whole trip with the Kenya safari cost calculator.
Key findings
- The lowest total for a guided game drive is KSh 5,500 for a Kenyan citizen on the weekend Land Cruiser drive.
- A non-resident pays from $135 in total. The KWS park fee ($80) is often the larger part of a budget trip.
- Private tours are one price per group, your group only. Split among a larger group, the share each guest pays falls, and each guest still pays the park fee separately.
- Adding Sheldrick and the Giraffe Centre on the weekday tour costs a non-resident about $32 in extra entry fees.
- Every tour we run is a morning tour, with a 05:00 pickup. The price is per tour, not per hour in the park.
Nairobi National Park Safari Cost Index, October 2026
| Scenario | Guests | Total | Per guest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenyan citizen, weekend Land Cruiser drive | 1 | $42 (KSh 5,500) | $42 (KSh 5,500) |
| Kenya resident, weekend Land Cruiser drive | 1 | $45 (KSh 5,850) | $45 (KSh 5,850) |
| Non-resident, weekend Land Cruiser drive | 1 | $135 (KSh 17,550) | $135 (KSh 17,550) |
| Non-resident, weekday 3-in-1 by van | 1 | $187 (KSh 24,250) | $187 (KSh 24,250) |
| Kenyan citizen, weekday 3-in-1 by van | 1 | $72 (KSh 9,400) | $72 (KSh 9,400) |
| Non-resident solo, private half-day | 1 | $380 (KSh 49,400) | $380 (KSh 49,400) |
| Non-resident couple, private half-day | 2 | $460 (KSh 59,800) | $230 (KSh 29,900) |
| Non-resident family, 2 adults and 2 children, private half-day | 4 | $540 (KSh 70,200) | $135 (KSh 17,550) |
| Kenyan citizen family, 2 adults and 2 children, private half-day | 4 | $323 (KSh 42,000) | $81 (KSh 10,500) |
| Non-resident group of 6, private half-day | 6 | $780 (KSh 101,400) | $130 (KSh 16,900) |
| Non-resident couple, private full day with Carnivore lunch | 2 | $616 (KSh 80,080) | $308 (KSh 40,040) |
| Non-resident couple, JKIA layover, private | 2 | $460 (KSh 59,800) | $230 (KSh 29,900) |
Run your own numbers in the safari cost calculator.
Private vs per-person tours
| Private half-day | Weekend Land Cruiser drive | Weekday 3-in-1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price basis | $300 per vehicle | Per person | Per person |
| 1 guest, tour only | $300 | $55 / KSh 4,500 | $75 / KSh 6,000 |
| 4 guests, tour only | $300 | $220 / KSh 18,000 | $300 / KSh 24,000 |
| Pickup | Hotel, included | Kencom, or KSh 1,500 per booking | Westlands, Kilimani, CBD, included |
| Break-even | Cheaper per guest than the weekend drive when 6 non-residents share one private group price | Best value for 1 to 5 guests | Best value if you want Sheldrick and the Giraffe Centre |
Attraction add-ons
| Attraction | Non-resident | Citizen or resident |
|---|---|---|
| Sheldrick nursery | $20 | KSh 2,000 |
| Giraffe Centre | KSh 1,500 | KSh 400 |
| Safari Walk or Animal Orphanage | $25 | KSh 405 resident, KSh 300 citizen |
| Carnivore lunch, full day | $38 | $38 |
JKIA layover scenarios
A layover drive costs the private half-day rate, $300 per group (your group only, park fees paid separately), plus park tickets. What changes is time in the park. With our planner's assumptions, a 6-hour international connection gives about 1 hour 35 minutes inside; an 8-hour connection about 3 hours 35 minutes, as long as the gates are open. Test yours in the layover planner.
Dollar figures convert at KSh 130 to $1, rounded to the nearest dollar.
Limitations
- eCitizen can add a payment charge to KWS tickets. It is not included.
- Tips, drinks, and meals other than the Carnivore lunch are not included.
- Fees can change by government notice.
- Child rates on per-person tours are quoted on request and are not in the index.
Quick answers
What is the cheapest way to do a guided Nairobi National Park safari?
The weekend Land Cruiser game drive: KSh 4,500 per Kenya resident or 55 US dollars per non-resident, plus the KWS fee. A Kenyan citizen pays KSh 5,500 in total.
How much does a private Nairobi National Park safari cost for two?
300 US dollars for the vehicle plus 80 US dollars each to KWS for non-residents: 460 US dollars in total, or 230 each.
Can I book an afternoon game drive?
No. Every tour is a morning tour: pickup is at 05:00 so you reach the gate for the 06:00 opening, when the air is cool and wildlife is most active. The private half-day is $300 per group.
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.