Ruto reveals plans to build hotels in Tsavo charging tourists up to 130K per night
By Mabonga Makhanu, December 9, 2025President William Ruto has announced that there are plans to build high-end hotels near Tsavo National Parks, which will see tourists paying up to Ksh130,000 per night for accommodations.
While speaking at Tsavo National Park during the launch of Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, the President stated that the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) will oversee the construction of five hotels, which will charge between Ksh65,000 and Ksh130,000 per night.
According to Ruto, the costs have been determined due to the heavy investment the government has channelled into the park, saying that the same approach will be applied to the Maasai Mara.
“Nimepatiwa taarifa na KWS ya kwamba kutakuwa na hoteli tano kubwa ambazo zitajengwa mahali hapa. Zitakuwa za high end; mtu atakula analipa dollar 1000 ama dollar 500 kwa usiku moja, hata akila Maasai Mara hio ndio inalipwa,” Ruto said.
He further insisted that he has directed KWS not to offer cheap hotels near the parks and that all budget accommodations should be located far away from the park boundaries.
He went on to state that the Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary, which he was launching, will be the largest rhino sanctuary in the world, being twice the size of Maasai Mara National Park and three times that of Meru National Park.
Plan for Tsavo West
He further stated that this initiative has been done to protect wild animals, such as rhinos, which are at risk of extinction and sought after by poachers, and that all tourists visiting the rhino park will also be paying a premium for their visit.
“Tunatengeneza mbuga kubwa ya rhinoceros; hii ndio itakuwa mbuga kubwa duniani, ambayo tunafanya leo hapa TSAVO. Hio sehemu ambayo tumeeka fence ni kubwa mara mbili ya Maasai Mara na ni kubwa mara tatu kuliko Meru National Park. Tumetenga sehemu kubwa kwa hawa Wanyama ambao wako hatarini; wale watali ambao watakuwa wanaluja hapa watakuwa wanalipa top dollar.’
These also come after he handed over Amboseli National Park to the Kajiado County government during the Maa cultural week, which was held in the county some weeks ago.