Visiting Kenya’s museums and heritage sites just got more expensive. The National Museums of Kenya announced the revised admission charges on April 7, 2026, in a notice published in the MyGov government publication, citing Legal Notice No. 79 of 2025 under the National Museums and Heritage (Admissions Fees) Regulations of 2025, with the new fees taking effect from May 7, 2026 today.
The increases are spread across the institution’s entire portfolio of sites, but the steepest hikes land on the most iconic destinations. Kenyan and East African adults visiting the Karen Blixen Museum in Nairobi and the historic Fort Jesus in Mombasa will now pay Sh550, while children will be charged Sh300. That represents a sharp jump from the previous Sh200 adult rate a 175% increase for two of the country’s most visited cultural landmarks. Visitors who opt for a combined ticket covering Fort Jesus Museum and the Butterfly House will pay Sh650 for adults and Sh400 for children.
At the Nairobi National Museum and Snake Park, the increases are more measured but still significant. Kenyan and East African adult citizens visiting either the Nairobi National Museum or the Snake Park will now pay Sh350, with children paying Sh200, while a combined ticket for both sites now costs Sh600 for adults and Sh300 for children. Previously, adults paid Sh200 at each site individually. Meanwhile, the Nairobi Gallery has moved from Sh150 to Sh300 for Kenyan adults, though the Nairobi Gallery will keep its current fees for the rest-of-Africa category.
At the coast and in regional towns, the revision is more modest. Sites in Meru, Malindi, Kabarnet, Kapenguria, Gede Ruins, and Mtwapa Heritage Site have been standardized at Sh200 for adults and Sh100 for children, double the prior Sh100 adult rate at Gede and Malindi, but still among the more accessible price points in the NMK network. Admission fees for Hyrax Hill and Rabai will remain unchanged until further notice, and all museums and heritage sites will continue operating from 8:30am to 5:30pm throughout the week.
The rationale offered by the institution is that the fee adjustments are aimed at supporting the government’s efforts to improve infrastructure and enhance visitor services at museums and heritage sites across the country.The changes mark the most comprehensive overhaul of NMK’s pricing structure in recent years, and visitors are advised to budget accordingly before planning their next trip to Kenya’s rich cultural landmarks.
