Need a green escape in Nairobi that costs less than your matatu fare and a cup of coffee?
The Karura Forest entrance fee is KES 116 per adult Kenyan or East African citizen and KES 58 per child under 13. Residents pay KES 232 and non residents KES 696. Parking a car is KES 232. The forest opens daily from 6am to 6pm and you pay through eCitizen at the gate.
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- Adult citizenKES 116child KES 58
- Adult residentKES 232child KES 116
- Adult non residentKES 696child KES 348
- Car parkingKES 232per day
- Open6am to 6pm dailylast ticket 5:30pm
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This guide gives the current Karura Forest entrance fee for every visitor type, taken from the official fee notice that took effect on 29 August 2025. All amounts include VAT. You also get parking, picnic, horse riding and annual pass charges, plus the rules that trip up first time visitors.
Karura is run by the Kenya Forest Service together with the Friends of Karura Forest, a community forest association. In late 2025 the two sides had a dispute over gate money. Joint management was restored and payment now goes through eCitizen. We check the notice again whenever we plan a Nairobi day trip that includes the forest.
Highlights
- Adult citizens pay KES 116 and children KES 58
- Residents pay KES 232 and non residents KES 696 per adult
- Children are under 13 for the child rate
- Car parking is KES 232 per day
- Picnics cost KES 174 per adult on top of entry
- Open every day from 6am, last ticket at 5:30pm
- Pay by Mpesa or card through eCitizen
Karura Forest daily charges in KES, VAT inclusive (official fee notice effective 29 August 2025)
| Charge | Citizen (Kenya and EAC) | Resident | Non resident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult entry | 116 | 232 | 696 |
| Child entry (under 13) | 58 | 116 | 348 |
| Car or 4×4 parking | 232 | 232 | 232 |
| Minivan (14 seats) parking | 464 | 464 | 464 |
| Minibus (15 to 31 seats) parking | 696 | 696 | 696 |
| Bus (32 seats and above) parking | 1,160 | 1,160 | 1,160 |
- Tickets are valid only on the date they are issued.
- A small eCitizen convenience fee is added at payment. For one adult citizen it is about KES 5.
- Activity charges such as picnics and horse riding are extra. Prices are confirmed against the fee notice at the gate.
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What is the Karura Forest entrance fee in 2026?
An adult Kenyan or East African citizen pays KES 116. A child under 13 pays KES 58. Residents pay KES 232 per adult and KES 116 per child. Non residents pay KES 696 per adult and KES 348 per child.
These rates come from the fee notice issued by the Kenya Forest Service for Karura Forest Station. They took effect on 29 August 2025 and include 16 percent VAT. So the base fee for a citizen adult is KES 100 and the rest is tax.
Older blog posts still show lower fees from 2024. If a page quotes KES 100 flat with no VAT, it is out of date.
How do you pay the Karura Forest entrance fee?
You pay through eCitizen at the gate, using Mpesa or a card. The gate clerks help you through it on your phone. Cash is not the way to plan.
Since the change to eCitizen, a small convenience fee is added per payment. Friends of Karura reported that one adult citizen pays about KES 121 in total. That is KES 100 entry, KES 16 VAT and about KES 5 convenience fee. Pay once for your whole group to keep it simple.
How much is parking at Karura?
Parking is charged per vehicle per day and is the same for everyone. A car or 4×4 is KES 232. A 14 seat minivan is KES 464. A minibus is KES 696 and a big bus is KES 1,160.
Schools get their own rate. A public school bus pays KES 232 and a private school bus pays KES 580. Students pay KES 58 if from a public school and KES 116 if from a private school.
What do picnics, horse riding and guided walks cost?
Activities are charged on top of your gate ticket and parking. The fee notice lists these charges per person unless stated.
- Picnic: KES 174 per adult and KES 116 per child
- Horse riding: KES 290 per adult or child
- Guided walk of about 2 hours: KES 348 per person
- Group walk or run: KES 174 per adult and KES 116 per child
- Photo shoot with 1 to 5 crew: KES 2,900
- Photo shoot with 6 to 10 crew: KES 5,800
- Wedding photo shoot with up to 20 crew: KES 13,920
Can you cycle in Karura Forest?
Yes. Karura has long trails that suit mountain bikes and kids on small bikes. The 2025 fee notice does not list a separate charge for riding your own bike, so you pay normal entry.
Bike hire has been run by Friends of Karura in the past. In late 2025 it was one of the services caught up in the dispute over who collects money. Ask at the gate on the day before you plan around a hired bike.
What are the Karura Forest opening hours?
The forest opens every day at 6am. The last entry ticket is sold at 5:30pm. Exit gates close by 7pm at the latest.
Some activities such as group events run on weekdays from 10am to 4pm. Weekends are busy from about 9am, so come early if you want quiet trails and easy parking.
Is an annual pass cheaper than the daily Karura Forest entrance fee?
It is if you come more than about once a week. An adult annual pass is KES 8,700, which equals about 75 citizen day tickets. A family pass is KES 17,400.
Runners, dog walkers and cyclists who come several times a week save the most.
- Adult annual pass: KES 8,700
- Family annual pass: KES 17,400
- Junior pass, ages 13 to 23: KES 3,480
- Car pass: KES 17,400
- Dog pass: KES 3,480 per dog
What can you see and do inside Karura?
Karura is a large indigenous forest inside the city. Most people come for the waterfall, the caves linked to the Mau Mau story and the lily lake. The trails are shaded, so a midday walk is still pleasant.
Gate A is on Limuru Road and Gate C is on Kiambu Road. The Sigiria side, across Limuru Road, is where horse riding happens. Bring water and wear closed shoes. Some paths get muddy in April, May and November.
How does Karura fit into a Nairobi weekend?
Karura is a half day. Pair it with other Nairobi stops for a full day out. Many of our guests do Karura in the morning, then lunch, then the Giraffe Centre in the afternoon.
Ready for a harder walk? Try our Ngong Hills hike or see more hiking trips from Nairobi. For a night away from the city, browse our weekend getaways from Nairobi.
Questions people ask
How much are Karura Forest charges for children?
A citizen child under 13 pays KES 58. A resident child pays KES 116 and a non resident child pays KES 348. Young people aged 13 to 23 pay the adult day rate unless they hold a junior annual pass. Students on a school trip pay KES 58 for public schools and KES 116 for private schools.
Can I bring my dog to Karura?
Yes, dogs are allowed on a leash. The fee notice lists a dog pass at KES 3,480 per dog per year for regular visitors. Keep your dog on the lead around horses, children and other walkers. Carry bags to clean up. Ask at the gate about the rules for a single day visit.
Do I need to book before visiting Karura?
No booking is needed for a normal walk, run or picnic. You buy your ticket at the gate through eCitizen. Groups, school trips, photo shoots and events should contact the forest office first. For a guided walk, ask at the gate or contact Friends of Karura, since eco tours have been paused at times.
Is Karura safe for families?
Yes. Karura has rangers on patrol, marked trails and clear signs. Stay on the paths, walk in daylight and leave before the last exit time. Keep valuables out of sight in your car. Children love the waterfall and the short loops, which suit small legs and buggies on dry days.
Can I hold a birthday picnic or event in Karura?
Yes. Picnics cost KES 174 per adult and KES 116 per child on top of entry and parking. For larger groups, music or decor, contact the forest office in advance. Single use plastics are not welcome, so pack reusable cups and plates and take all rubbish home with you.
Why did Karura fees change in 2025?
In August 2025 the Kenya Forest Service took over the gates and moved all payments to eCitizen. Fees rose and VAT was shown on tickets. After talks, joint management with the Friends of Karura was restored. The August 2025 fee notice is still the one in use in 2026.
Sources we checked: Karura Forest fee notice, effective 29 Aug 2025 (Friends of Karura and KFS); Friends of Karura statement on the KFS takeover (Aug 2025); Capital FM: Kenya Forest Service takes over Karura fees; Karura joint management restored and eCitizen fee breakdown (Dec 2025). Rules and fees change, so we confirm them again when you book.
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