8 Hot Tips for Renting a Car in Kenya

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December 4, 2023
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It is a fact that driving a vehicle and joining the open road is the best way to travel. If you are visiting a new country, driving is the best way to explore, especially in Kenya. Sadly, a lot of travelers prefer to stay in the hostel instead of using public transport or renting their cars. To promote the tourists, Kenya has a lot of rental car services. This also aims for tourists wanting for self-drive safaris as well as road trips.

And to make the journey much more enjoyable, we have Kenya experts to gather all the critical information you might need when renting a car in Kenya. If you are looking for any tips and trips to rent cars, we have everything here. And with no further, here are the top tricks you should acknowledge when hiring a car in Kenya.

Tips For Renting A Car In Kenya

Always prepare documents

One of the most crucial tips for renting a car in Kenya is to prepare the documents. Depending on each company, you might need different documents. Yet there are required documents, and they are Visa, passport, and proof of identity (also known as ID).

The driver’s license and money are also needed, along with proof of booking and reservation. Not to mention, a security deposit is also a good thing to bring along.  

Extra fees and insurance

car insurance
Always have insurance and extra money (Photo: pinterest.com)

If you buy a car in Kenya, this is not an issue, however, we are talking about renting cars. Extra insurance and fees are another thing to know before renting a car in African countries, especially Kenya. Some companies are offering extra insurance that you may want to avoid the need to leave a security deposit.

However, one thing you need to know is that additional insurance is merely an extra. It is not a legal requirement for renting a vehicle. Of course, some people might offer an upgrade to the customers. And this is why you should consider the budget carefully before accepting the offer. If you want a pleasant journey in a comfortable car, you might enjoy them. Some rented automobiles might include a jack, spare tire, spade, air conditioning, rope, car explanation booklet, jumper cables, and radio with USB ports. A roadmap is another thing you might want to have. 

Consider carefully before rent

It is a fact to always check everything before renting. Normally, tourists will consider various vehicle hire companies, therefore considering different prices, policies, and requirements. It is to ensure the best deal possible. Also, there are different settings based on the user’s wants and needs.

If you want to drive inside the city, the price will be cheaper. And if you are interested in renting cars to go out of the city, there will be different insurance, pricing as well as automobile types. So make it clear before renting to make sure you have the right kind of car for the trip.

Booking in advance

The great tip when you want to rent a car in Kenya is to book first. It is the best way to save time as well as hassle. Not to mention, booking first will provide you with more chances to negotiate or have discounts to get cheaper renting fees. So before renting a vehicle, customers should book beforehand. 

Rent a vehicle along with a driver

renting a car in nairobi
A small car is better in the road of Kenya (Photo: sojournsafaris.co.ke)

The journey can be highly comfortable and luxurious if you have a person to drive for you. In rental car companies, you can hire a driver as well when renting a car. Various car rentals allow customers to hire drivers at a reasonable extra cost. And if you want to make the trip more comfortable and relaxing, this might be your cup of tea. 

The advantages of having a driver are undoubtedly not to be overlooked. In Kenya, driving in the country is not a walk in the park. To be more precise, you need knowledge of roads, how to manage officials as well as weather conditions. Not to mention, having a driver also leaves you free on the road. You can freely enjoy more of the areas being traveled through.

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Self-driving tips

Yet if you want to drive by yourself, then this is the right section for you. The key factor when driving by yourself in Kenya is that you must conform to traffic rules and regulations. Speed limits and driving on the left-hand side of the road are examples. Even though most roads are reasonably maintained, customers should be careful about everything on there.

We have potholes, livestock as well and pedestrians crossing the road. Understanding this can help drivers avoid accidents or damage. And as bonus information, tourists should always lock their cars and not leave valuables unattended. Even when Kenya is considered safe for self-driving, we need to be careful. 

Another tip for self-driving is the car. Tourists should select the right vehicle when traveling, and there are many factors affecting your decision. They are based on model, terrain, space, price, additional facilities as well as purpose. These are all provided by the company, therefore a good company is crucial. 

Best automobiles

If you are using a vehicle to travel in the city, there are many small to luxury sedans for you to pick. According to UsedCars.co.ke, The 4x4s are also suitable for city use. And if you want to travel outside the city, rugged automobiles are the most suitable. They need to have good ground capabilities as well as clearance to go on poor roads with potholes. 

We have a Fortuner SUVS, which is well-known to tourists. It has a higher cost than a normal SUV, but the space and the capability to carry 5 passengers are critical. To be more specific, Land Cruisers have more space, are more luxurious, and are more suitable to drive in Kenya. Along with that, in Africa, double cabs are amazingly famous as 4×4 cars for self-driving. The reason for this is that it can handle all types of Kenya’s roads. All of them are amazing for road trips. 

how much is renting a car
You can find car rentals in nearby areas or even at the airports (Photo: vismart.co.ke)

The Right Place to Rent

A good tip before renting a car is, of course, to know the good place to rent. You can find car rentals in nearby areas or even at the airports. They are mostly located where tourists can commute by shuttles or taxis.

If you want more information, here we have it. In Nairobi, many companies such as Budget Car Rental, Europcar Car Rental or Sixt Rent a Car are good places to rent.

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