Car hire in Kenya
Driving in Kenya is breathtaking despite the challenges. Most roads outside the major cities are poorly maintained and drivers have to be careful. Renting an SUV or four-wheel drive vehicle is a must as rural roads tend to be bumpy or may get washed out during the rainy season. However, long-distance travel or self-drive safaris in Kenya with car rental can be an incredible adventure. Visitors just have to be ready for contingencies. Compare car hire deals online now for the best rates.
Car hire driving tips in Kenya
There are plenty of car rental options available in Kenya, but local car rentals tend to be expensive, so booking ahead is a must. Getting a vehicle that is in good shape and well-equipped will ensure that your travels run smoothly. Some knowledge of vehicle repair, especially changing a tyre, will come in handy, especially if you are planning to do any long-distance driving in Kenya. A GPS unit or map will ensure that you don’t get lost. Prior to embarking on a long-distance journey in Kenya, ask locals about road conditions, especially during the rainy season. At this time, some roads become impassable, even with SUVs or four-wheel drive vehicles, or simply get washed away.
Need to know essentials
Driving licences: when hiring a car in Kenya, visitors are required to hold an International Driving License, which needs to be obtained prior to arrival. Visitors from the UK can use their UK driving license for up to three months.
Which side does Kenya drives on: the left.
Speed limits:
Highways and dual carriageways (outside urban areas): 110kph for passenger cars, 80kph for pick-up trucks and 65kph for trucks.
Urban roads: 50kph
Speed limits are not particularly well enforced, but visitors should use due care and not speed when driving in Kenya.
Alcohol limits: 0.08 per cent or 80mg/100ml. Drunk driving laws are not strictly enforced so visitors need to be careful of drunk drivers. Avoiding driving at night is a good choice.
Driving age: 18 years (most car hire companies require drivers to be at least 23 years of age, with at least two years’ driving experience).
Compulsory items: rental cars need to have a Passenger Service Vehicle (PSV) decal on the windscreen. Police will check for the decal, so make sure your vehicle has one.
Seatbelts: must be worn in the front and rear seats.
Mobile phones and GPS: talking on a mobile phone while driving is illegal, but hands-free systems are legal. There are no rules for GPS usage. Signs are far and few between so getting a car equipped with GPS is a good idea.
Cost of fuel in Kenya: cost and availability of fuel fluctuates greatly in Kenya.
Car hire and fuel payment: car hirers are required to hold a valid credit card and passport to hire a car. Petrol stations accept credit cards and are usually equipped with ATMs. There is no self-pumping.
Insurance: full insurance coverage is highly recommended. Car break-ins, car theft and collisions are commonplace. Roads outside the cities are in bad repair and damage to vehicles can occur.
Traffic and parking: traffic in Kenyan cities tends to be chaotic and is best avoided. Outside of the cities, big trucks ply the roads and drivers need to take care. Parking in the cities is best done in hotel car parks or other patrolled parking lots to ensure safety.
Our travel editor’s recommended drives
Masai Mara National Park – nothing says Kenya more than a safari drive, and the Masai Mara is one of the most famous safari parks in the world. It can be reached via the B144 road. Visitors should be sure to follow park rules about driving and parking.
Rift Valley – another beautiful nature drive is the Rift Valley in the northwest, where the breathtaking Lake Nakuru is located. The lake is home to a huge population of pink flamingos - excellent photo opportunities here.
Lake Victoria – no visit to Kenya would be complete without exploring Lake Victoria, the second-largest freshwater lake on earth. Head due west from Nairobi on the B3.
Mombasa Coast – Kenya is not only about nature reserves; it has a beautiful coast and beaches. From Nairobi, visitors should take the A109 southeast to the coastal resort city of Mombasa.
Kenya travel tips
Kenya is a premier destination for nature lovers. Visitors simply get hooked to the wildlife and end up visiting over and over again. Security is an issue, but visitors can stay safe by following common sense. Safaris can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and enjoyed safely by following our travel tips.
Kenya weather and tourist seasons
Kenya’s climate is generally hot, but there are some differences in weather depending on the region and the time of year. Overall, the hottest time in Kenya is between February and March, when temperatures can reach 40°C. The coolest time is between July and August, when temperatures can fall as low as 10°C. The coastal regions tend to be more humid and hotter compared to the interior areas, and the area around Lake Victoria is known as the wettest part of the country. There is no peak tourist season as visitors come Kenya throughout the year but the major European and North American holiday seasons are among the busiest times.
Kenya contact numbers (+254)
Emergency services – 999
Tourist help (24 hours) – 254 2 604 764
British High Commission – 254 20 2844 000
US Embassy – 254 20 363 6000
Irish Honorary Consulate – 254 20 235 7242
Canadian High Commission – 254 20 366 3000
Australian High Commission – 254 20 444 5034
Holidays and festivals
National holidays in Kenya include Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday and Labour Day. Other Kenya national holidays include: Madaraka Day (1 June), Moi Day (10 October), Kenyatta Day (20 October) and Jamhuri/Independence Day (12 December). As a rule of thumb, if a national holiday falls on a Sunday, it is made up with a substitute holiday the following Monday.
Money matters
The currency used in Kenya is the Kenyan shilling, with 100 cents making up one shilling. Kenyan shilling bills include 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000. Coins come in 5, 10 and 50 cents as well as 1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 shilling coins. The Kenyan shilling is a convertible currency, but it is suffering in inflation. Since most businesses prefer hard currency, such as US dollars, British pounds and euros, it is best not to convert much currency.
Health and safety
There are several recommendations for vaccinations prior to travel to Kenya. These include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, polio and rabies. Most of these vaccinations need to be given four to six weeks prior to travel. There is a risk of malaria in Kenya, so it is important that visitors bring insect-repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers in the early morning and early evening hours. Diarrhoea is a typical ailment while travelling in Kenya. Visitors should stick to bottled water, making sure the bottle is properly sealed. It is a good idea to carry a travel first-aid kit
Fitting in…
Jambo is probably the first and most useful phrase you will learn when visiting Kenya. Greet people with Jambo and you will fit right in. Kenyans are relaxed and easy going in most cases, often enjoying a joke or two. Kenyan society tends to be male-oriented and thus it is not advisable for women to go out at night alone or dress provocatively.
Visas for Kenya
Visitors are required to have a visa to enter Kenya. Travellers from the UK, the EU, the US and Australia can obtain visas on arrival at the airport. Children under 16 do not require a visa. However, the visa on arrival system is chaotic at the airport and may be time consuming. To avoid this, visitors are advised to obtain visas in their respective countries prior to arriving in Kenya.
Electricity
The voltage in Kenya is 220-240 Volts and 50 Hertz - the same as in Europe. The electrical plugs are the same as the ones in the UK - three prongs; two horizontal prongs on the bottom and one vertical prong on top. Adapter plugs can be used for other kinds of plugs, but US and Canadian visitors will have to use converters if their appliances are not made for 240 Volts.
Business hours
Business hours in Kenya are generally from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday through Friday. Many businesses close during lunch time, between 13:00 and 14:00. Banks generally open from Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 15:00. Some branches in tourist areas are open on Saturdays.
Helpful phrases
Jambo/Habari - Hello
Tafadhali – Please
Samahani - Sorry
Asante – Thank-you
Ndiyo/hapana – Yes/no
Sielewi – I don't understand
Unazungumza kiingereza? - Do you speak English?
Hii ni bei gan?i – How much is this?
Ni wapi… ? – Where is… ?
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