NAIROBI, Kenya — Tourists queuing for hours in the Nairobi sun isn’t exactly the kind of “wild” they had in mind.
A recent viral video capturing long lines and chaos at the Nairobi National Park entrance has prompted the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to respond—swiftly, and with an apology.
The video, posted by international journalist Adrian Blomfield, shows frustrated visitors stuck in snaking lines, with some claiming that park staff were letting friends and acquaintances skip ahead. “There’s no rhyme or reason,” Blomfield said, adding that the experience was “shambolic” despite the new queuing system introduced months ago. For a country banking on tourism, the optics weren’t great.
The Apology—and the Fix
KWS quickly issued a public apology, acknowledging the “long queues experienced this morning at the Nairobi National Park Main Gate.” But this wasn’t just damage control—they offered a solution: prepay your park entry via eCitizen to access the Express Park Lane and avoid the bottleneck.
“We understand that the excitement of visiting the park should never be overshadowed by long waits,” KWS wrote in a follow-up X post. “Your time and experience mean everything to us, and we’re working to make every visit as smooth as possible.”
For visitors hoping to skip the wait and jump straight to the wildlife, that means heading to eCitizen before hitting the road.
More Than One Gate—Use Them
While most tourists tend to flock to the Main Gate, KWS reminded the public that the park isn’t a one-door entry. Nairobi National Park has three fully operational gates—the Main Gate, East Gate (off Mombasa Road), and Mbagathi Gate (Magadi Road, directly opposite Multimedia University).
Using alternative entrances, especially during peak hours, could drastically reduce congestion. KWS is urging visitors to plan ahead and “explore all available options” to help protect not just their time—but their park experience.
The queuing system, part of a broader upgrade launched on February 5, 2025, was designed to streamline ticketing and boost transparency. But as the weekend’s events show, even new systems need fine-tuning.
Tourism’s First Impression Matters
The park, known for its rare urban-wildlife interface—where lions roam against the backdrop of the city skyline—is a top attraction in Kenya’s tourism portfolio. But the long wait times left a sour taste for some.
“This is such a shame,” the journalist lamented. “Tourists have been waiting for over an hour. Government officials cannot get this sorted and give people a better first impression of this country.”
KWS agrees—and they’re taking notes. The reminder to prepay online and use less-trafficked entry points isn’t just a logistical suggestion—it’s a nudge toward a better tourism experience, one where the lions do the roaring, not the tourists.
