The Promise vs. The Reality
When tourists book a Kenyan safari, they believe their hard earned park entry fees go directly into protecting wildlife, supporting conservation, and maintaining the beauty of our national parks. That’s the promise.
But what if I told you that not all of that money reaches conservation? What if, instead, some of it is siphoned off into private pockets before it ever gets to where it belongs?
I know this because I’ve seen it happen. And I have the receipts.
The Day I Tried to Do It the “Right” Way
As an operator who values transparency, I always push to buy park tickets directly through Kenya’s official eCitizen system. Why? Because it creates a digital trail you know who was paid, when, and how much. That’s accountability.
But when I attempted to do this for the Masai Mara, something strange happened. My (now former) driver pushed back,demanded payment to be sent to his account. He insisted the Mpesa prompt that day wasn’t working, and that a prompt from Masai Mara can’t be sent out to a phone number In Nairobi. Instead, he sent Ksh 54,000 (about USD 417.87) directly to an individual’s phone number. That is USD 17.87 more than the quoted amount of $200 per person as per the Masai Mara National Reserve website.
I received the ticket yes. But the payment was made to a person, not an institution. Suspicious? Very.
The Proof Is in the Paperwork
• Mpesa Transaction Screenshot clearly shows the money going to a private number, not to the Kenya Wildlife Service or Narok County systems.
Now imagine this happening not once, but thousands of times a week across Kenya. How much money is quietly slipping away?
Why This Matters
1. Tourists Are Misled – You believe your fees fund conservation. But a portion may never get there.
2. Costs Are Inflated – Hidden exchanges, unofficial “fees,” and bad conversions drive up safari prices.
3. Trust Is Broken – When corruption seeps into conservation, Kenya risks its reputation as a world class safari destination.
And here’s the kicker: by re-routing payments like this, We as a Tour Operator have to rethink on how we price itineraries, this in turn will make it even more expensive for you ‘The Consumer’ of our services to get affordable packages that don’t break your bank. This encounter robbed us the opportunity to learn how the system truly works. The secrecy is the system.
I Don’t Claim to Know Everything But I’m Digging Deeper
Let me be clear: I don’t have the full picture yet. But I’ve seen enough red flags to know something isn’t right. And I’m dedicating my time to finding out the truth.
If this happens to an industry insider like us, what happens to everyday tourists who don’t know what questions to ask?
How We Do Things Differently
At KenyaOnABudgetSafaris, we refuse to play this game. Here’s our pledge:
• All park tickets purchased directly via eCitizen (with receipts).
• No shady exchanges or fake “convenience fees.”
• Full transparency on where your money goes.
• Staff held accountable anyone compromising integrity doesn’t stay on our team.
Travel should be about trust, not tricks.
Join the Conversation
Would you still pay $200 to enter a park knowing that money might not go where it’s supposed to? Do you think Kenya’s park fee system needs reform, or is it up to travellers to demand accountability?
Drop your thoughts below let’s start a conversation that’s long overdue.