Lake Nakuru park lowers gate fees to attract visitors

Lake Nakuru National Park has reduced its gate entrance fees to attract more visitors as tourist numbers dwindle amid security concerns.

The facility has slashed fees for international visitors by 11 per cent from Sh7,830 ($85) to Sh6,960 ($80).

Kenyans will pay Sh1,000 ($11) to visit the park, down from Sh1,200 ($14).

Kenya Wildlife Service director William Kiprono, who touring the premium park, said lowering the fees will allow more people to visit the park, especially local tourists.

He said there was improvement in the number of tourists visiting the park, adding that more visitors were expected towards the end of the year.

“Our only role is to ensure that there is proper infrastructure to enable easy touring of the park and a good environment,” he said.

Mr Kiprono praised the communities living around the park for their role in conserving the ecosystem.

Natural phenomenon

He reassured the residents on the continued rising of the lake, saying it was a natural phenomenon that was being experienced in all the lakes in the Rift Valley.

Several researchers have explained the high water levels as a cyclic event witnessed throughout history that occur after every 50 years.

The director commended the good work by the park’s management in eradicating poaching, citing the use of a newly acquired aircraft that will help in air surveillance and patrols to protect wildlife, especially endangered rhinos.

He called upon the public and foreign tourists to take advantage of reduced fees to experience the iconic wildlife in the park.