The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
Kenya’s national parks and wildlife reserves welcomed more than 300,000 visitors over the December 2025 festive period, highlighting the growing appeal of the country’s wildlife attractions to both local and international tourists.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) described the turnout as a successful festive season and thanked visitors for choosing Kenya’s parks for their holiday experiences.
According to KWS, 231,000 of the visitors were Kenyan residents, while 82,500 came from overseas to explore the country’s wildlife and natural heritage. The agency noted that domestic tourists remain a key pillar of Kenya’s tourism sector, reflecting increased local travel and a growing appreciation for conservation areas.
The festive season numbers coincide with government efforts to expand tourism. KWS said its work aligns with the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife’s vision of attracting five million visitors annually by 2028.
The agency emphasized that investment in conservation, visitor experience, and sustainable park management will be critical to maintaining Kenya’s global reputation as a top wildlife destination.
To encourage more local visitors, KWS launched special Boxing Day group offers, providing discounts and free entries to families and groups visiting national parks, sanctuaries, and marine parks.
Under the promotion, families of five visiting sanctuaries and marine parks received free entry for one child aged six to 17. Groups in five-seater vehicles also got free entry for one child per five passengers. Larger groups traveling in 25-seater buses were granted free entry for two adults, while seven-seater vans and eight-seater Land Cruisers received free entry for one adult.
KWS also included accommodation perks, offering a free fourth night for guests who booked three nights in selected park lodges and facilities. The offers, valid until December 31, were exclusive to Kenyan citizens and applied across all KWS-managed parks, marine areas, and wildlife sanctuaries.
KWS said the initiative aimed to make wildlife experiences more affordable and give Kenyans an opportunity to reconnect with nature during the holiday season.
