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Thousands of Kenyans flocked to national parks and reserves on Saturday as the government opened the gates free of charge to mark World Tourism Day.

From dawn, long queues formed at Nairobi National Park, Amboseli, Tsavo, and other Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)-managed facilities as citizens took advantage of the rare opportunity to reconnect with the country’s natural heritage. 

Conservation rangers reported a surge in visitors, with family groups, schools, and church outings forming the bulk of the crowds.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the free-entry initiative was meant to remind Kenyans that wildlife is part of their national identity.

“This day is not just about celebrating tourism; it is about reconnecting with who we are as Kenyans. We want every citizen to see our parks as their own heritage and to help us safeguard them for future generations,” she said.

In her statement, Ms Miano also issued what she called a “tourism pledge” – six commitments that visitors were asked to uphold, including avoiding littering, not disturbing animals, staying on designated roads, respecting speed limits, and leaving the parks cleaner than they found them.

The Kenya Wildlife Service clarified that all its facilities were open for free access except Lake Nakuru National Park, where prepaid tickets were required and entry was restricted to the Nderit Gate.

While Kenyans poured into the parks, the national celebrations were held at the Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa.

The event drew government officials, diplomats, hoteliers, tour operators, travel agents and hospitality students.

In her keynote speech, Ms Miano commended Mombasa County for becoming the first devolved unit to set up a Tourism Council and a dedicated Tourism Unit, describing it as a model for tourism-led development. 

She highlighted the rise of cruise tourism, the attraction of visitors to marine parks such as Watamu, Mombasa and Kisite Mpunguti, and the continued draw of safaris in Tsavo East.

She added that charter flights to Mombasa had now risen to about three per week.

This has boosted the city’s vibrancy, and reaffirmed Kenya’s ambition of attracting five million visitors annually.

Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir welcomed guests, calling Mombasa a gateway not only for leisure but also for the blue economy.

 “We are proud to be a city that thrives on diversity. Mombasa is the face of our country to the world, and we continue to invest in tourism as well as the blue economy to create opportunities for our people,” he said.

Principal Secretary for Tourism John Ololtuaa pledged that the Ministry would keep working with county governments and the private sector to expand Kenya’s tourism markets and create jobs.

The colourful event featured cultural displays, traditional dancers, exhibitions and a procession along the waterfront, reinforcing the theme of tourism as a driver of conservation and economic growth.

World Tourism Day 2025 was observed under the global theme of Tourism and Peace. 

Officials stressed that beyond leisure, tourism contributes to conservation, job creation and cultural pride.