National park · Kenya
Sibiloi National Park
Enter Sibiloi for a day: pay the entry fee (≈ KES 300 per adult, check), drive 2 h from Lodwar, hike the Koobi Fora trail early to avoid heat, and stay at the park’s basic camp or nearby Lodwar lodge.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,000 km² (772 sq mi)772 sq mi (2,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1973
Best months
Jan–Mar
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Kenya ↗Apply for the Kenya eTA only on the official portal (etakenya.go.ke) at least 3 working days before you fly; lookalike sites charge double. Most African passports have been exempt since 2025.
- Kenya ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and check whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route, including transits.
- Kenya ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you fly in.
- Kenya ↗Light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator and leave a hard case in Nairobi.
At a glance
- Country
- Kenya
- Area
- 2,000 km² (772 sq mi)772 sq mi (2,000 km²)
- Approximate; official figure not found (check).
- Established
- 1973
- Best months
- Jan–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Sibiloi National Park protects the Lake Turkana shoreline and world‑renowned fossil sites, offering short walks to Koobi Fora, a museum of early human remains, and dramatic desert‑lake scenery. The park’s basic camp and nearby Lodwar lodges provide simple accommodation for a day or overnight stay.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1997Lake Turkana National Parks.
Size and age
2,000 km² (772 sq mi)772 sq mi (2,000 km²) · national park since 1973
Approximate; official figure not found (check).
Why go
- Fossil sites with early human remains.
- Lake Turkana shoreline scenery.
- Koobi Fora Museum with archaeological displays.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanDry, cooler mornings.
- FebDry, good visibility.
- MarEnd of dry season.
- AprShort rains may start.
- MayRainy, roads can be muddy.
- JunDry, cooler.
- JulDry, pleasant.
- AugDry, good for trekking.
- SepDry, wildlife active.
- OctDry, start of short rains.
- NovRain may begin.
- DecShort rains possible.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (e.g., flamingos, pelicans)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Reptiles (e.g., Nile crocodile)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Lodwar
Hire a 4×4 or take a shared taxi on the A1 road to the park gate (≈2 h).
2 h
From Nairobi
Fly to Lodwar (≈2 h) then ground transfer as above.
≈4–5 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park gate & visitor centre | Entry point, information desk, basic shop. | Open daily; ticket required. |
| Koobi Fora fossil area | Archaeological sites and walking trails. | Guided walks recommended. |
| Lake Turkana shoreline | Scenic views, birdwatching spots. | Open; vehicle access may be limited in wet season. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from park gate; other points approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | KES 300–400 | person | 2026 estimate; verify at gate. |
| Park entry (child) | KES 150–200 | person | Check age limits. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- KES 300–400
- KES 150–200
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for fossil area walks outside the main trail.
- Camping
- Only in designated park camp; permits obtained at gate.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
Where to stay
In the park
Sibiloi Park Camp
Basic tents with shared facilities; book via KWS.
Near the park
Lodwar town
Hotels and guesthouses 30 km (19 mi) from the gate.Hotels and guesthouses 19 mi (30 km) from the gate.
Safety
Heat medium
Remote location high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre reachable by vehicle; short walks are level.
- Longer trails have uneven ground; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Use park‑approved camping areas only.
- Buy food and supplies in Lodwar to support local economy.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sibiloi National Park?
Entry is about KES 300–400 per adult and KES 150–200 per child; purchase tickets at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Sibiloi National Park?
The Koobi Fora fossil trail (2–3 h, easy) and the Lake Turkana shoreline walk are the main options; guides are recommended for the fossil area.
When is the best time to visit Sibiloi National Park?
Dry months Jan–Mar and Jun–Oct offer comfortable temperatures and good road conditions.
Can I camp inside Sibiloi National Park?
Yes, at the designated park camp; you need a permit bought at the gate.
Is there a museum on site?
The Koobi Fora Museum near the park gate displays fossils and archaeological finds.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Sibiloi National Park
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