Safari vehicles in Kenya : Nowadays, many tourists prefer the freedom of creating their own safari itinerary, making online hotel reservations, and then renting a car for the trip. However, it is essential to plan ahead when renting a car in Kenya for your safari for obvious reasons. Given that safari cars are inherently more vulnerable to wear and tear, the first thing you want to do is make sure you rent a dependable and acceptable vehicle at a reasonable price. Second, the company from which you rent the car should be reputable, authorised, and ethical. Last but not least, bear in mind that not everyone should hire a self-drive car in Kenya. Deposits are needed to cover for damage, an accident, or theft, and the paperwork and process are complicated. Kenyan driving standards are very different from those in other regions of the world, and the roads outside of the major routes are frequently in bad shape. It’s not unusual to become trapped, break down, or run the risk of an accident. For many tourists, the best option is to rent a safari vehicle with a Driver-Guide included for a small additional fee, as low as USD 25 per day, as this prevents you from being responsible for damage, accidents, or theft of the vehicle while offering the advantage of an expert Driver-Guide, making the trip stress-free so you can sit back and enjoy the experience.
Also keep in mind that while professional Safari vehicles have these features built in, self-drive cars often do not, which makes a huge difference when it comes to watching wildlife in parks. The alternatives for renting a car with a driver-guide for your Masai Mara or Kenya safari are listed below.
Safari Tour Minibus ( Van )
These vehicles, often referred to as safari tour vans, are a mainstay of the Kenyan tourism industry and the most popular means of transportation for safari tourists, not the least of which is that they provide the best value due to their lower pricing compared to the other principal vehicle on offer below. Typically, safari tour vans can accommodate up to 8 persons, while 6 is the ideal amount for comfort. These vans have safari-specific features like cooler boxes, pop-up game viewing roofs, UHF radio calls, and individual seats, some of which have limited recline.
Although some variations of safari tour vans have four-wheel drive, most of them perform just fine with two-wheel drive, and most of the roads on the typical Kenya safari circuit are now motor able enough to avoid the need for 4WD unless there are particularly bad driving conditions or the location is off-route.
Typically, Safari Tour Vans are used to travel between the majority of lodges and camps in the Maasai Mara National Reserve’s central area and nearby conservancies. But only 4×4 cars are permitted to enter several conservancies outside the reserve.
Land cruiser Jeep 4×4
The 4×4 Land cruiser Safari Jeep is the other widely used safari vehicle in Kenya and East Africa. These are frequently Toyota Land cruiser Jeeps that have been customised for safari use with pop-up game viewing roofs, UHF radio communications, and appropriate seating. Additionally, some automobiles have electric cooler boxes and air conditioning. Safari Jeeps will cost substantially more to hire than safari tour vans even if they are slightly more comfortable and capable off-road.
The number of passengers that can be comfortably accommodated in a vehicle ranges from 6 to a maximum of 9 depending on the seating arrangement. It should be noted that there are two different subtypes of these vehicles: those with closed sides, which are suitable for highway travel, and those with open sides, which are only suitable for use on game drives inside of different reserves and parks. As a result, these open-sided vehicles are stationed here permanently and cannot be used, for example, to travel from Nairobi to the Masai Mara. Even though some lodges or camps still utilise closed vehicles even for their flying packages, these open-sided jeeps are frequently included in Fly-in Safaris.
4×4 and 2WD Safari vans
The safari vans are Nissan or Toyota products, such the Toyota HI Ace van. The pop-up roof, which was created to provide for the most wildlife watching, is the most noticeable customization for Kenya safari vacations. A safari van is typically converted to six comfy seats with more legroom. Additionally, the windows can slide open to enable for game viewing and photography.
There are several areas the van cannot go, particularly if it is a 2WD type, even though the land cruiser can handle trickier road scenarios. Most places that a land cruiser can reach are also accessible to 4WD safari vans. The decision of which safari vehicle to choose largely comes down to personal tastes and financial concerns if you visit the conventional national parks instead of going on an expedition through perilous roads. The safari vehicle is equipped with a cooler, a phone charging port, and increasingly Wi-Fi, all of which are essential for strong network connectivity. The safari van has radios, just like the land cruisers, so the driver may communicate with other cars while on the game drive.
Kenya Safari Vehicle – Overland Truck
Suitable for lengthier journeys, such as crossing international borders with sizable groups of passengers—typically between 12 and 30—overland vehicles are appropriate. Given these factors, overland safari trucks need to be well-designed with enough room to carry luggage, the necessary gear, and navigate various terrain types. Overland trucks are adapted to varied specifications, just like other safari automobiles, and the vehicle chosen will depend on the dynamics of the party. Overland trucks have several seating arrangements. Some trucks include rows of seats along both sides that face inward.
Some trucks feature seats that face backward, while others have a combination of seats that face forward and backward. No matter the style, all seats are raised to provide the best possible animal-watching opportunities and extra comfort. Large windows on the overland safari truck either slide open or fold up, making for fantastic photo opportunity. A pop-up roof may be installed on some overland vehicles to improve the viewing opportunity.
An overland truck safari normally lasts a long time, hence it is fully furnished with a “kitchen section.” A cook is on staff and will make meals during specified safari breaks, though bigger groups traveling for a long time may contribute by taking turns in the kitchen. Stoves, food, cutlery, and washbasins are all kept in a compartment under the chairs together with other kitchen supplies. Additionally, they have refrigeration, which includes additional great boxes for perishable foods and beverages, a table, water tanks, and a tent for the cooking area.
If you use an overland safari truck, your safari will probably involve camping. Sleeping tents, backpacks, and personal belongings can all fit in the car. The majority of overland safari trucks typically contain day bags, overhead compartments to keep cameras, and ports for charging mobile phones and cameras. They have broad fuel tanks, a safe for valuables, a full first aid kit, and an alarm system to inform the driver when a stop is necessary. Some models even feature a built-in library to keep you occupied when there isn’t much going on outside.
