Planing to rent a car for a safari in Kenya from Nairobi city? Car Rental Nairobi makes it possible for safari enthusiasts to explore Kenya’s wilderness behind the wheels or in company of an experienced driver guide. We have compiled a list of the best tips for renting a a car in Kenya for a safari holiday in this Masaai land.

Visas & other travel documents

If you are planing to visit only Kenya, a single visa is okay but if you would like to extend you safari to Uganda and Rwanda for gorilla trekking tours, then  buying the East African Tourist visa is the best option which gives you single entry in the three countries. For those adding Tanzania in their safari itinerary need to buy a separate Tanzanian visa. You may also need other travel documents like a valid passport and the necessary vaccinations such as yellow fever card to be permitted entry into some countries.

International driver’s permit/national driver’s license

An international driver’s permit or national driver’s license are must-haves if you plan to drive in a foreign country. In most East African countries, you’ll be allowed to drive using your country’s driving license for a period not exceeding 90 days. Therefore, if you’re looking to rent a vehicle for a period beyond three months, it’s important to acquire an international driving license. Note: An English driver’s license is recognized in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Kenya.

Letter of authority (for cross-border)

For any plans to hire a car in Nairobi city and drive across borders, you need a letter from a car hire agency or company. This letter is addressed to the different immigration authorities within the East African countries. Please make sure that if you’re crossing more than one border that you have a letter for each entry zone.

Car registration (for cross-border)

You also need a certified copy of the car’s registration to present at a border station for you to be allowed to cross over with a rental car. The registration copy should be accompanied with a letter from the company authorizing you to take a car across the border area and should have dates included.

Talk with your agency before booking

If you’re planning to travel beyond borders, it’s important to inform the rental agency about your travel plans. Although some car rental companies do permit border crossing with its car rental vehicles, most do not allow this (we do not, but we can arrange another car from the other country ready for you at the border)

Be aware of the surcharge

If you plan to hire a car from Uganda to Rwanda, take note that most car rental companies incur surcharges for border crossing. These fees are meant to cover border crossing insurance fees and regional taxes, among others.

In conclusion, if you have any plans to embark on a safari road trip in Kenya or across East African borders, be aware of all the rules and regulations before setting out on your journey.

For more details and car rental deals in Nairobi, send us an email via info@carrentalnairobi.com.

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