car hire in Nairobi

[triagn]

hi everyone, im new here so be nice.. is it possible and about how much would it cost to rent a 4x4 and driver for 5 days in Nairobi and visit the national parks on ones own?

[Safari Cal]

Hi @@triagn, there are a few independent companies that specialise in this sort of trip or you could book direct with a Hotel Chain and use their vehicles. In both scenarios you'd be met at the airport upon arrival.

 

What parks are you hoping to visit in the 5 days?

[triagn]

hi, possibly maasai mara,hells gate and lake nakuru, what do you think?

[optig]

Please whatever you do- please don't drive yourself in Kenya as it's a really tough place to drive. Furthermore, a driver won't cost you much more. There are many posts on the subject on www.tripadvisor.com.Kenya

[Game Warden]

@@triagn Welcome to Safaritalk.

 

@@optig That's great, send the new member elsewhere...

 

 

@@Safari Cal has got a lot of experience self driving in Kenya I believe, as one can see in his trip report here.

[COSMIC RHINO]

the traffic in Nairobi is mad

 

the road to the mara is awefull

 

there are security concerns around Samburu and in northern kenya

[Safari Cal]

hi, possibly maasai mara,hells gate and lake nakuru, what do you think?

 

That's definitely do-able in 5 days, but it will be tiring. I'd start north and head to the Mara as your last stop before heading back to Nairobi.

 

If your plane lands early on your first day, your driver can have you in Nakuru before lunch, spend the afternoon and next morning on safari there before heading to Naivasha for a late afternoon safari in Hell's Gate. Consider an evening lake cruise on the lake for the birds, or possibly consider staying at Crater Lake for the birds and amazing location.

 

Or if you want a good bar and to be close to Lake Naivasha (on the lake shore) and don't mind a bit more basic accommodation, consider Fisherman's Camp, as the bar is great, good food and atmosphere during the week, but very much a ex-pat and backpackers party place at weekends!

 

At the south end of Lake Naivasha is a small soda lake at Oserian (nearer to Crater Lake), which is still good to see the Flamingos and costs about KSh3,000/- per boat trip.

 

From there head to the Mara and spend the rest of your time there. You can leave Naivasha after breakfast and reach the Mara easily by mid afternoon, (even if you decide to do the early morning Lake Naivasha boat trip instead of the evening one - which gives you more time in Hell's Gate the previous evening). That gives you a couple of nights in the Mara to make the most of it before heading back to Nairobi.

 

Unless you know Kenya it isn't safe to drive as others have pointed out, the Sekenani road to the Mara is awful, and the traffic is definitely mad in Nairobi! The driver option you mention is definitely the best option, especially as it gives you the opportunity to relax or take photos between destinations as well.

 

Let me know if you need any pointers, and when you are thinking of visiting.

 

 

Cal

Edited June 5, 2014 by Safari Cal

[twaffle]

hi everyone, im new here so be nice.. is it possible and about how much would it cost to rent a 4x4 and driver for 5 days in Nairobi and visit the national parks on ones own?

Welcome to ST triagn, we are all nice here.

 

Not sure why people are advising against you self driving as it is obvious from your opening post that you are looking to hire a driver along with the 4x4. SafariCal will provide lots of good advice. I've used Sunworld Safaris and hired a 4x4 with driver, but I know that there are other companies as well.

[armchair bushman]

Not sure why there's so much fear-mongering going on here. There are LOTS of tourists, diplomats, military personnel, business-people and others who fly into Kenya every day for the first time and rent a car. And they survive just fine.

 

Your itinerary sounds fine.

 

My first recommendation is to get in contact with Central Rent-A-Car. Their personalized service, insurance policy, roadside service, and vehicle quality is basically unmatched in Nairobi. They have a selection of different 4x4's available, some of which are better suited to what you want. Recommended by National Geographic, Rough Guide, and several other Kenya Guidebooks.

 

Recent customer reviews and photos on their facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/314217488087/

Website here: http://www.carhirekenya.com/index.html

Edited July 2, 2014 by armchair bushman

[optig]

Yes, they may survive but Nairobi is a diabolically treacherous place to drive which I'd personally wouldn't recommend. I think it's only suitable for those who have driven before in Africa, or at least in other third world countries where conditions are equally chaotic.

Edited July 2, 2014 by optig

[armchair bushman]

Eh. I've been to worse cities in first world countries.

I feel like Nairobi has a worse reputation for driving than it deserves. "Diabolically treacherous" sounds like a trip into Mordor.

 

Plenty of people survive their first time and come back repeatedly, self-driving every time. And once you're out on the open road to get to Nakuru, hell's gate, or masai mara, you're fine.

 

Again, I cannot stress enough how well Central Rent-A-Car take care of you and prepare you for your trip. I urge anyone contemplating a self-drive safari to Kenya to check out Central Rent-A-Car's facebook page and read the testimonials about how well clients are taken care of in this "diabolically treacherous" place.

[optig]

I'll admit that I exaggerated but nevertheless Nairobi is still a terrible place to drive. I walk whenever possible, and sometimes take a taxi.

[pontusw]

I second armchair bushman here, Kenya is not too bad to drive in. Just don't trust matatus and Landcruiser VX's...