From park entry booking via M-Pesa to research permits, filming licenses, wildlife incident reporting, and community compensation — all KWS services are now digital, transparent, and accountable.
Service Directory
Every KWS service is digital, has a defined processing time, transparent fees, and real-time status tracking. No more phone calls to find out what you need — everything is documented here.
Research Access Permit
Complete this form to apply for academic or scientific research access to KWS protected areas. Clearly written applications are reviewed faster — the KWS scientific team reads every proposal.
Park Entry — KWSPay
Book park entry for any of Kenya's 60+ national parks. Your QR code is issued instantly and works offline. Present it at the gate — no printing required.
Current Fee Schedule (2025)
| Visitor Category | Standard Parks | Premium Parks | Marine Parks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents & Citizens | |||
| Kenya Citizen (Adult) | KES 300 | KES 500 | KES 200 |
| Kenya Citizen (Child U-16) | KES 150 | KES 250 | KES 100 |
| EA Resident (Adult) | KES 1,000 | KES 2,000 | KES 500 |
| International Visitors | |||
| Non-Resident (Adult) | USD 35 | USD 80 | USD 25 |
| Non-Resident (Child U-16) | USD 18 | USD 40 | USD 13 |
Premium parks: Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Lake Nakuru, Nairobi NP. 5% KWSPay gateway fee applies.
Select Park
Visitor Type
Visit Date
QR code issued instantly after payment. Valid for entry on selected date only. Non-refundable after issue. Receipt sent via email and SMS.
Wildlife Emergency — 24/7
Whether an elephant is in your maize field, you've encountered a dangerous animal, or you're reporting suspected poaching — KWS responds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All reports receive a reference number and confirmed response time.
0800 597 000 — Free from any Kenyan network. 24/7. Fastest for active emergencies.
+254 726 610 509 — Send photos, GPS location, voice notes. 24/7. Kipande cha tukio hutolewa mara moja.
SMS "WILDLIFE [location] [incident type]" to 22177. Works on all networks including 2G. Free.
Submit a detailed incident report online with GPS coordinates and photographs. Best for non-emergency HWC documentation.
Response Time Commitments
Reports are sent directly to the nearest KWS ranger station. You will receive a reference number by SMS. Anonymous reports are accepted and protected.
Wildlife Damage Compensation
If wildlife has caused damage to your livestock, crops, or property, you may be eligible for KWS compensation. The process is fully digital, has defined timelines, and every claim is tracked publicly.
Report via web form, WhatsApp, or phone. Reference number issued immediately. This is the start of your claim timeline.
Complete the compensation form with damage details, evidence (photos), and your national ID. Use your incident reference number.
A KWS ranger visits to assess and document the damage. You will be notified 24 hours in advance of the assessment date.
The assessment is reviewed by the county compensation officer. You can appeal any decision within 14 days.
Approved compensation is paid directly to your M-Pesa number. SMS confirmation sent. M-Pesa receipt retained as proof.
Acknowledged. Reference number issued.
Documents verified. Claim accepted for assessment.
KWS Ranger Cpl. Ochieng scheduled for your location. You will receive SMS 24hr in advance.
Pending field assessment completion
Payment pending claim approval
You will need your incident reference number. File within 7 days of the incident.
Claims are reviewed by county compensation officers. You will receive SMS updates at every stage. All payments are made via M-Pesa only. Contact 0800 597 000 for assistance.
Interested in community conservation programs?
Wildlife Scout Jobs & Conservancy Programs →My KWS Account
One account for all your KWS interactions — park entries, permits, claims, and wildlife journal. Never re-enter information you've already provided.
Your permit KWS-RP-2025-0847 has been approved. Digital permit available for download. Field liaison: Dr. Peter Njoka.
Your dataset submission for permit KWS-RP-2024-0312 is due in 45 days. Submit via the KWIP portal to maintain active status.
Elephant herd AM-04 moving towards Northern Swamp research corridor. High activity expected. Updated GPS tracks available in KWIP.
| Permit ID | Type | Protected Area | Valid Until | Status | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KWS-RP-2025-0847 | Research Access | Amboseli NP | 31 Mar 2026 | ✓ Active | Download QR |
| KWS-RP-2025-0623 | Research Access | Tsavo East NP | 15 Jan 2026 | ✓ Active | Download QR |
| KWS-RP-2025-1104 | Wildlife Handling | Samburu NR | — | ⟳ Under Review | Track Status |
| KWS-RP-2024-0312 | Research Access | Samburu NR | Expired | Expired | Data Return Due |
African Mobile-First Infrastructure
KWS digital services are built for Kenya's mobile-first reality. Every service works via M-Pesa, WhatsApp, or SMS — whether you have a smartphone, feature phone, or intermittent data access.