Kenya Tourism 2023-2025: 7 Parks Drive 80% of Visitors

Kenya’s national parks have long been the primary magnet for international tourism, and the period between 2023 and 2025 reaffirmed their central role in attracting global travellers. Wildlife experiences, iconic landscapes, and world-class conservation areas continued to define Kenya’s international tourism identity, with national parks remaining the most visited attractions by overseas visitors.

During these three years, international arrivals to Kenya increased steadily, and a significant share of these travellers included national park visits as a core component of their itineraries.

National Parks as the Core Driver of International Tourism

Official tourism strategies consistently identify national parks and wildlife reserves as the foundation of Kenya’s international tourism appeal. For many overseas visitors, a trip to Kenya is defined by time spent in protected areas, game drives, and lodge stays within or near national parks.

International visitors to national parks typically:

• Spend longer durations in the country.
• Visit multiple parks during a single trip.
• Contribute higher per-capita tourism revenue. 

This pattern remained consistent throughout 2023-2025, with parks continuing to anchor inbound tourism flows.

2023: Revival of International National Park Tourism

In 2023, Kenya experienced a strong resurgence in international tourism, with national parks leading this recovery. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the country recorded approximately 2.09 million international visitors during the year.

National parks played a decisive role in this rebound. International travellers returned in large numbers for:

• Classic safari experiences
• Big Five wildlife viewing
• Seasonal wildlife spectacles such as the Great Migration
• Combined safari-and-coast itineraries

In 2023, international wildlife tourism in Kenya was heavily centred on seven key national parks, led by Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Nairobi National Park, and Hell’s Gate, which together accounted for the largest share of overseas park visits.

2024: Expansion and Strong International Demand

In 2024, international tourism to Kenya expanded further. The Tourism Research Institute (TRI) reported that international arrivals increased to approximately 2.39 million, indicating sustained growth.

This increase translated directly into higher international visitation across Kenya’s national parks, supported by:

• Improved international air connectivity.
• Increased promotion of Kenya’s wildlife destinations.
• Rising demand for experiential and conservation-focused travel. 

National parks benefited from renewed interest in guided safaris, photographic tourism, and eco-lodges. International visitors increasingly sought immersive experiences, often combining visits to major parks with conservancies and lesser-visited protected areas.

2025: Consolidation and Sustainable Growth in National Parks

By 2025, Kenya’s national park tourism entered a phase of consolidation, building on the gains achieved in previous years. International visitors continued to prioritise wildlife experiences, while tourism authorities placed greater emphasis on:

• Sustainable park management. 
• Conservation funding linked to international tourism.
• Balanced distribution of visitor flows across parks.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) played a key role in aligning international park tourism with conservation objectives, ensuring that visitor growth supported long-term ecological protection.

National parks remained the centrepiece of Kenya’s international tourism offering, with visitors increasingly aware of conservation, community engagement, and responsible travel practices.

2026: Outlook for International Visitors to Kenya’s National Parks

From 2023 to 2025, Kenya’s national parks strongly shaped the country’s international tourism performance, with seven flagship parks accounting for nearly 80% of international park visits. This concentration highlights the continued dominance of wildlife tourism in driving visitor demand, tourism revenue, and conservation support.

Looking ahead to 2026, Kenya’s national parks remain well-positioned to sustain global appeal, balancing strong international interest with conservation priorities and long-term tourism sustainability.

Conclusion

As Kenya’s national parks continue to anchor international tourism demand, seamless entry through the Kenya eTA plays a critical role in sustaining visitor growth by enabling efficient, fully online travel authorisation for global travellers. Together, strong wildlife appeal and streamlined entry policies position Kenya for continued, sustainable tourism growth beyond 2026.