How Samburu park fees work
Samburu National Reserve is run by Samburu County Government, and Buffalo Springs and Shaba lie on the Isiolo side. Entry fees come from county law, not from the national Kenya Wildlife Service tariff, so do not apply a KWS fee list to these reserves. Fees also depend on who you are: non-resident visitors usually pay in US dollars, while Kenyan residents and citizens pay in Kenyan shillings.
Because amounts depend on your visitor category and can change, this page gives no gate price. Check the current fee for your category before you drive. If you book a trip, ask the operator whether Samburu safari tours include park entry and for which reserves.
Three reserves, three fee checks
Do not assume one ticket covers them all.
Samburu National Reserve
The reserve of 165 km² belongs to Samburu County. Its fees come from the Samburu County finance law. Check the current amount for your visitor category.
Buffalo Springs National Reserve
The reserve of 131 km² lies on the south bank in Isiolo County. It is a separate reserve, not an extension of Samburu, so it has its own fee.
Buffalo Springs →Shaba National Reserve
The reserve of 239 km² lies in Isiolo County and has its own rules. Plan on paying separately for each reserve unless the gate tells you otherwise.
Shaba →Our pick: park fees in the price
All park and conservation fees are in the price of this three-day trip, a clear reference point against tours where they come on top.
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.
Samburu safaris and tours
Road and fly-in safaris to Samburu, with live prices and availability.
Paying the Samburu park fee
Plan for cashless payment, and carry a backup.
The county points visitors to an online reservation system, and eCitizen is the usual route for cashless payment. Gate practice can still include cash in US dollars or Kenyan shillings, as well as card or M-Pesa. The safe plan is to arrive with a card and a little cash and to check the current method before you go. Never send money to a number or account from an unofficial message.
Check these points before you pay, because they decide the real cost of a visit:
Age groups and discounts
Ask which age counts as a child and whether students, seniors or other groups pay less.
Vehicle and parking
Ask whether a vehicle fee applies and how it is counted for cars, minibuses and larger vehicles.
Guide and ranger
Ask whether a guide or ranger is required or charged separately.
Camping
Camping may be charged on top of entry. Check the rate and whether you must reserve a site.
Where to stay →Online charges and ticket length
Ask whether the booking adds a surcharge, how long a ticket lasts and whether you can re-enter on the same ticket.
Gates into Samburu
Know the gate you will use before you drive.
The main entrance is Archer's Gate at Archers Post. The other gates are West Gate, Kalama Gate and Waso Bridge Gate, and there are also gate services at the central airstrip, which matters if you fly in. That is not five road gates, so ask your lodging or driver which one applies to your route. Check gate opening hours before you go, and do not plan around a fixed closing time.
| Gate | What to know |
|---|---|
| Archer's Gate | At Archers Post, on the road north from Isiolo |
| West Gate | One of the other gates; ask which route it suits |
| Kalama Gate | One of the other gates; ask which route it suits |
| Waso Bridge Gate | One of the other gates; ask which route it suits |
| Central airstrip | Gate services for fly-in visitors |
For most visitors arriving by road from Nairobi, Archer's Gate at Archers Post is the one to plan around, and your lodging can confirm the rest. Isiolo lies 34 km from Archers Post, and the Isiolo page covers the town.
Reteti donations are not park fees
Minimum donations in 2026 for visiting the elephant orphanage.
| Visitor group | Adult | Child under 15 |
|---|---|---|
| International | $75 | $50 |
| Kenyan residents | KES 1,000 to 2,000 | KES 500 |
| Kenyan citizens | KES 1,000 | KES 500 |
These are minimum donations to the sanctuary, paid on top of any park fee. Confirm the amount for residents when you book, because it varies. Visits must be booked at least 24 hours ahead. For most visitors, the international rate is the one that applies, and the Reteti page has the booking details. Comparing parks? The Maasai Mara fees page covers a different county and tariff.
Samburu park fees: frequently asked questions
How much is the Samburu entry fee?
The amount depends on your visitor category and is set by county law. Check the current fee for your category before you drive, and ask the operator what a trip includes.
Does one ticket cover Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba?
Plan on paying for each reserve separately. They are three reserves with their own administration, and a shared ticket should only be assumed if the gate confirms it.
Are Samburu fees the same as KWS fees?
No. Samburu is run by the county, and Buffalo Springs and Shaba sit on the Isiolo side. Do not apply a national Kenya Wildlife Service tariff to these reserves.
Can I pay by card or cash at the gate?
Cashless payment through eCitizen is the safer plan. Cash in US dollars or Kenyan shillings, card and M-Pesa may be possible at the gate. Carry a card and a little cash, and check the current method.
Is the Reteti donation part of the park fee?
No. The Reteti donation goes to the sanctuary and is separate from any park fee. Visits need a booking at least 24 hours ahead.
Is samburu-national-reserve.org the official fee page?
No. This is an independent guide, not the site of Samburu County, Isiolo County or the Kenya Wildlife Service. Confirm fees with the current county tariff.