In many parts of Kenya, there is no public transport, making it almost impossible to get around without a car. For those planning to visit Kenya, it’s advisable to at least hire a car, and before choosing which car to use on your trip in Kenya, it is recommended to first look up some basic information online. Below is a summary of some basic information for hiring a car in Kenya.
Choosing the Country of Manufacture:
The commonly used vehicles in Kenya are made in Japan, and since you just want to visit the country am sure choosing a Toyota vehicle is a good idea, since it is widely used all over the country, it will be easy to repair in case of any problem, and even spare parts can be obtained anywhere.
Mileage of a Car:
Generally, it is not recommended to hire a vehicle with over 150,000 kilometers on it. In general, if a car has been driven for that long, it is not in good overall condition. Of course, there are exceptions to this, but it is best to buy a car with mileage under 100,000.
Production Year of the Car:
Of course, the closer the production year is to the present, the better. In general, there should not be any issues with cars that are less than 10 years old. The best option would be a car that is 7 or 8 years old.
Choosing the Color of the Car:
Rental Cars in Kenya
This can be based on personal preference. If you like black, then choose black. If you like blue, then choose blue. However, it is not recommended to choose red as it attracts too much attention and may draw the attention of the police.
Also, the color of the vehicle you hire can depend on the reason why you hire a vehicle, where those planning to go on a self-drive safari in Kenya always prefer green or gray vehicles, and those on business trips, black and white vehicles are the most preferred.
Price of the Car:
The price of the car you hire always depends on the type of vehicle, the season of the year, and also on how long you hire it. Different car rental agencies in Kenya offer varying prices, and the cheapest vehicle is always available for $35 per day. If it is lower than this, the quality of the car cannot be guaranteed.
Negotiate the Price:
Most car rental agencies in the region don’t have fixed prices, so after identifying the type of vehicle you want to use on your trip in Kenya, try to negotiate the price. Depending on the number of days you plan to use the car and the season, they may offer you a discount of around 10%. Agencies like 4×4 Self Drive Kenya, Car Rental Kenya, and 4×4 Kenya often provide generous discounts to customers hiring vehicles for extended periods—typically 15 days or more—and to those traveling during the low season.
After selecting a car based on the above criteria, it is important to inspect the car before you start driving.