SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Expiration period of redeemable noncontrolling interests, low end of range	1 year
Expiration period of redeemable noncontrolling interests, high end of range	3 years
Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidation Entities
Percentage of carried interest received by general partners	1.00%
Percentage of other profits (losses) received by general partners	1.00%
Third party ownership interest in capital markets business equity (as a percent)	2.00%
Calculation of noncontrolling Interests held by KKR Holdings
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests held by KKR Holdings	$ 334,112	$ 404,191
Equity based compensation	81,650	114,341
Capital Contributions	715,021	742,315
Capital Distributions	(2,569,868)	(1,637,024)
Calculation of net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests held by KKR Holdings
Net Income (Loss)	2,098,186	2,971,975
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	24,623	5,272
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests in consolidated entities	1,880,124	2,776,267
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests held by KKR Holdings	334,112	404,191
Fees
Transaction Fees	38,425	43,662
Monitoring & Consulting Fees	52,961	42,770
Management Fees	41,024	20,205
Incentive fees	18,830	9,670
Total fees	151,240	116,307
Noncontrolling Interests held by KKR Holdings
Calculation of noncontrolling Interests held by KKR Holdings
Balance at the beginning of the period	4,981,864	4,342,157
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests held by KKR Holdings	334,112	404,191
Other comprehensive income	(1,320)	2,670
Impact of the exchange of KKR Holdings L.P. units to KKR & Co. L.P. units	(91,015)	(46,229)
Equity based compensation	54,232	98,077
Capital Contributions	471	714
Capital Distributions	(327,430)	(240,966)
Balance at the end of the period	4,950,914	4,560,614
Calculation of net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests held by KKR Holdings
Net Income (Loss)	2,098,186	2,971,975
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	24,623	5,272
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests in consolidated entities	1,546,012	2,372,076
Plus: Income taxes attributable to KKR Management Holdings Corp.	6,659	13,344
Net income (loss) attributable to KKR & Co. L.P. and KKR Holdings	534,210	607,971
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests held by KKR Holdings	$ 334,112	$ 404,191