Entry to Mount Kenya National Park requires a paid 24-hour permit, with gates open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Cash is no longer accepted, so you'll need to book and pay for all tickets in advance through the eCitizen platform.
Mount Kenya National Park opens daily year-round, with gate access restricted to daylight hours. Your entry ticket remains valid for 24 hours. Though the park never officially closes for seasons, heavy rains from March to May and in November frequently make trails impassable or force temporary closures.
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| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday | 06:00–18:00 | Night entry or exit requires prior written KWS approval; overnight climbers are exempt from the 18:00 closure. |
Mount Kenya National Park operates 365 days a year and does not close for any Kenyan public or religious holidays. Gate staff are on duty every day. Severe weather during the rainy seasons is the only thing that might restrict your access to the mountain.
A standard 24-hour ticket costs USD 70 for international adults and USD 35 for children. East African citizens and Kenyan residents pay much lower local rates. You can't pay with cash at the gates, so book all entry, camping, and climbing permits digitally via eCitizen before you arrive.
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| Category | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident adult | USD 70 | Valid for 24 hours |
| Non-resident child (5-17) | USD 35 | |
| African passport holder (non-EAC) adult | USD 30 | |
| East Africa citizen adult | KES 800 | ID required |
| Kenya resident adult | KES 1,100 | Work permit required |
| Mountain climbing permit | USD 30 / KES 1,500 | Required add-on for reaching Point Lenana, Nelion, or Batian |
| Private vehicle (up to 6 seats) | KES 600 | Per 24 hours |
Children under 5 enter for free, but there are no regular free entry days or discount passes for other visitors.
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View All ToursThe best time to trek Mount Kenya is during the dry seasons from January to March and July to October. Trails are firmer, river crossings are safer, and skies stay clear. These optimal windows draw the most climbers, while the muddy, fog-heavy rainy seasons in April, May, and November leave the mountain largely empty.
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| Period | Crowd Level | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-dawn (03:00–06:30) | High | Trekkers make the final push to Point Lenana to catch the sunrise over Batian and Nelion before weather shifts. |
| Early morning (06:00–10:00) | Moderate | Gates open at 6:00 AM, making this the primary window for day visitors to start lower forest wildlife walks. |
| Midday (10:00–14:00) | Moderate | Base temperatures reach roughly 25 C, suiting families tackling the Ngare Ndare canopy walkway or lodge-based trails. |
| Late afternoon (14:00–18:00) | Low | Clouds and fog typically roll in, meaning climbers should be settling at high-altitude huts while day visitors exit before the 6:00 PM gate closure. |
Most visitors spend four to six days on a mandatory guided trek to Point Lenana. Your exact timeline depends on your altitude goals, with day-trippers sticking to the lower montane forests for a few hours. Technical climbers tackling Batian or Nelion need six to eight days to accommodate rock climbing and acclimatization.
Cash is dead at the Sirimon, Naro Moru, and Chogoria gates. You must pay for all entry, camping, and climbing permits in advance through the KWSPay platform on eCitizen. Double-check the exact total before paying, since a recent fee hike to 70 USD for non-residents is caught in a legal battle.
Plan your final ascent to Point Lenana between 3:00 and 6:30 AM. This puts you at the 4,985-meter peak for sunrise over the Batian and Nelion spires. It also guarantees you beat the thick afternoon fog that reliably swallows the mountain later in the day.
Skip the long rains from March to May and the short rains in November. Heavy downpours turn sections like the Naro Moru route's Vertical Bog into thigh-deep mud and often force trail closures. Trek between January and March or July and October for firm ground and clear skies.
Mount Kenya National Park strictly enforces a ban on all single-use plastic bags and bottles. Rangers will check your gear at the gate. Pack a durable canteen and drink three to four liters daily to help stave off altitude sickness above 3,000 meters.
Temperatures drop violently from 25 C at the forest base down to -5 C near the peaks. Bring thermal base layers, a heavy down jacket, and a waterproof outer shell. Weather shifts fast, so keep your rain gear and warm gloves at the top of your daypack.
Non-resident adults pay USD 70 for a 24-hour ticket, while East African citizens pay KES 800 and Kenyan residents pay KES 1,100. Kids under five enter free, and older children pay exactly half the adult rate. You'll also pay a vehicle fee starting at KES 600 for a standard car.
No, the park gates no longer accept cash. You must book and pay for all entry, camping, and climbing permits in advance using the KWSPay platform on eCitizen. Rangers will turn away anyone arriving without valid digital permits.
The gates at Sirimon, Naro Moru, and Chogoria open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Your ticket is valid for 24 hours from the time you enter. You can't enter or exit at night without prior written approval from KWS, though this rule doesn't apply to hikers already camping on the mountain.
Yes, hiking alone is strictly prohibited. You must hire a KWS-licensed guide to trek anywhere in the park, and they are required to carry a valid KWS ID card. If you plan to summit Point Lenana, Nelion, or Batian, you also need a separate mountain climbing permit, which costs USD 30 for non-residents or KES 1,500 for citizens and residents.
A standard round-trip trek to Point Lenana takes four to six days. Technical climbs to the higher Batian or Nelion peaks require six to eight days. If you just drive up for a day visit to the lower forest zones, expect to spend a few hours.
Aim for the dry seasons between January and March or June through October. Trails are firmer and the skies usually stay clear. Avoid the long rains from March to May and the short rains in November, when paths like the Naro Moru route's Vertical Bog turn into thigh-deep mud.
Mount Kenya National Park is a strict plastic-free zone, so leave all single-use plastic bottles and bags behind. You can only use biodegradable soap for washing on the mountain. Drones are also banned unless you secure KCAA registration and pay for a KWS permit, which costs USD 300 per day for non-residents.
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