KWS Responds To Viral Criticism From Foreign Journalist Over Nairobi National Park
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) acted quickly to defend Nairobi National Park after a video showed tourists stranded in huge lines.
An international journalist’s early morning film revealed a snarl at the park gate, leaving people stuck for hours as they attempted to get entry.
According to the video, passengers waited in line for hours while park staff allegedly allowed associates to skip ahead, disregarding fairness and order.
The shambolic introduction that most tourists have to Kenya. Even since the new system was introduced everyone trying to enter Nairobi National Park has to sit in a queue for hours. Instead of seeing our wildlife this is the first impression they have of our country. pic.twitter.com/N2F9N5ZVla
— Adrian Blomfield (@adrianblomfield) May 17, 2025
“This is the shambolic system that continues to exist at the Nairobi National Park gate months after the new queueing system was introduced,” the journalist revealed.
“People are still forced to wait in long queues, the management system is chaotic, people who are favoured by KWS staff are allowed to jump the queue, there is no rhyme or reason for it.”
He also slammed the system, stressing that, while tourism is critical to the country’s economic prosperity, the defective ticketing process is actively hurting the sector’s advancement.
“This is such a shame, tourists have been waiting for over an hour. Government officials cannot get this sorted out and give people a better first impression of this country,” he continued.
In response, KWS published a statement recognizing the situation and apologising for any trouble given to tourists.
Thank you for your valuable feedback. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by the long queues this morning.
— Kenya Wildlife Service (@KWSKenya) May 17, 2025
Please be assured that we are working to enhance your experience. One of the key measures we are implementing is encouraging all our clients to pre-purchase…
“We sincerely apologise for the long queues experienced this morning at the Nairobi National Park Main Gate,” KWS stated.
“Your time and experience mean everything to us, and we’re working to make every visit as smooth as possible.”
While providing alternatives to clients, KWS recommended tourists buy their park admission via eCitizen for speedier, Express Park Access.
KWS also reminded visitors that, in addition to the Main Gate, the park has several fully operable entrances.
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These include East Gate (off Mombasa Road) and Mbagathi Gate (Magadi Road, opposite Multimedia University), which can help reduce traffic congestion.
We understand that the excitement of visiting the park should never be overshadowed by long waits.
— Kenya Wildlife Service (@KWSKenya) May 17, 2025
We sincerely apologise for the long queues experienced this morning at the Nairobi National Park Main Gate. Your time and experience mean everything to us, and we’re working to… pic.twitter.com/6o4QUfhQXg
“By planning and exploring all available options, you help us protect your time, your experience, and your park,” KWS added.
The queuing system in Nairobi National Park was implemented as part of KWS’s upgraded ticketing system, which went live on February 5, 2025.
This system was launched alongside changes to the eCitizen Payment System, with the goal of improving revenue collection and streamlining visitor access.
KWS Responds To Viral Criticism From Foreign Journalist Over Nairobi National Park
