today i have received the follwing information on parkfees/conservation fees for serian camp

And the rate for conservation/park fees increased Jan 1st 2007 from $75 to $85 and this is necessitated by the increase in fees by the Narok county council and Koiyaki Lemek conservancy.

so we all can lay back and watch what's going to happen.........

obviously they are trying to keep tourists out of the park :-O

carsten, especially the last torrential rains have proven that all these millions of $ of park and "conservation" fees don't go into infrstructure or it maintanance etc. so what is the money for?
at least my people refuse to shovel the cash into masai throats for nothing.... just switch to another destination! there are plenty....botswana is the destination to come again because kenya now is comparably expensive! i'll meet with kenyan providers in frankfurt mid april and listen to what they say - also the kenya tourism board

It is difficult to criticize without first knowing why the increase in costs. I don´t know the place in question but it sounds to me like it is a "conservancy" which means it is under the control of a private group,; i´m guessing village council? I suspect that if the money being requested is then utilised wisely in the mgmt of the conservancy then that is fine. On the one side, we (myself included) praise the incredible beauty of the Mara and at the same time we turn around and complain because we pay $80 to spend 1 day in that "paradise".

Without subsidies from the Gov coffers, managing a wildlife area may require that entrance fee to be charged.

Original von bwanamich
I suspect that if the money being requested is then utilised wisely in the mgmt of the conservancy then that is fine. On the one side, we (myself included) praise the incredible beauty of the Mara and at the same time we turn around and complain because we pay $80 to spend 1 day in that "paradise".

Without subsidies from the Gov coffers, managing a wildlife area may require that entrance fee to be charged.

Ever since those parks exist (or since I know them, at least) nothing much has changed apart from the prices. Not even the salaries of the rangers have risen significantly. So why would more money be needed?

I guess, we would all happily pay that money if we could see significant increase in conservation work but instead the only thing we see rising is the number of expensive lodges and big cars in Nairobi.

I agree with you that it is difficult to criticize without knowing details, but what I am refering to is the general picture and I guess I am not far off the track with my assumption.

And there is another aspect: The way things are going, those beautiful parks will soon get out of financial reach for people with a normal income. How should a normal workers family with 2 teenage kids afford a couple of days in the park?

I am seriously reconsidering my trip to Kenya this year. Unfortunately, my financial situation does not allow me to spend 300-500 euros per day (entrance-fee, car, accommodation for 2 people). And I am not interested in rushing into the park early in the morning and leaving again the same day.

carsten, i agree 100%!
considering a normal wage in kenya which is approx. 40 - 50 US$/month it's incredible and outrages especially as they just cash in and do nothing regarding infrastructure etc. and only a few people have their hands on the money!
they just found out that this is a perfect way to cash in and that's it!
what is sad when it comes to business: a reputation is ruined very qickly but it takes ages to re-convince clients of a destination!
and carsten, if you frequent camps in kenia 500€/day/2 pax is quite favourable!