Overland Kenya Travel
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Contents
At the border
Correct as of: (Put the date this section was last confirmed accurate here)
Required Paperwork
Paperwork required for Kenya include a single entry or multiple entry visa. It is advised to request a multiple entry if you are planning on entering and exiting East Africa.
Process at border
Independent travelers will need to clear immigration first prior to starting customs clearance with the vehicle. A valid Carnet de Passage is required, along with 3rd party insurance.
Cost of entry
To be confirmed.
Permitted length of stay
90 Days is permitted for foreign vehicles entering Kenya with a Carnet de Passage.
Extension of stay
To be confirmed.
You can leave your car at Jungle Junction in Nairobi.
Jungle-Junction (along 'Amboseli Rd.,' in 'Lavington,' near the crossing 'Gitanga Rd.' and 'James Gichuru Rd.') Tel. +254-0-722-752865 / 0723-392014, E-mail; jungle_junction_nairobi@yahoo.com GPS Location S1 17.325 E36 45.634
Quote Horizonsunlimited.com/hubb “JJ Is accomodation in Nairobi - nice big house with rooms available and also able to camp there. Very good facilities (wifi etc) and good place to service your bike or do repair work. Chris (the owner) is very knowledgable with BMW (ex BMW mechanic), and I'm sure he knows his way around other bikes too. Relaxed place and lots of other overlanders there to get some good info too.”
Exiting with a vehicle
Exiting the country involves customs clearance for the vehicle followed by immigration.
Overland Essentials
Vehicle Insurance
Insurance requirements
3rd Party insurance is mandatory and is issued by Comesa. Additional information can be found on Africa Overland Insurance
Cost of insurance
The cost of insurance varies however the minimum is about $60.00 USD.
Where to purchase insurance
Insurance can be purchased via insurance brokers at one of the four major border crossings alternatively an insurance broker in Nairobi will be able to sell 3rd party insurance.
Driving license
International Driving Permit is required.
Driving side of road
Left hand side of the road, with majority of vehicles being right hand drive.
Mandatory items in vehicle
2x Safety warning triangles, first aid kit, 2x fire extinguisher
Roads
General Road quality
The general road quality will be bitumen in varying conditions from new to severely potholed. All minor roads will be gravel.
Road signs
Road signs are limited with the occasional speed sign, warning sign and distance sign.
Toll roads
There are only a few Toll roads for private vehicles. Large trucks are required to stop at weigh bridges and are required to pay tolls to proceed.
Bribery
In certain government agencies, Bribery is often expected especially with traffic police. Independent travelers should avoid paying bribes and patiently negotiate an exit strategy.
See the Bribery tips page for general advice.
Checkpoints
Very few checkpoints exist for private vehicles however random police checkpoints are spontaneous and usually have no impact to the independent traveler.
Traveling with pets
To Be Confirmed.
Gasoline Petrol Diesel
Last updated: (Put the date the gasoline price section was last confirmed accurate)
Price
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To be confirmed.
| Gasoline Grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular (87) | $0.00 USD per Gallon (US) |
| Super (88) | $0.00 USD per Gallon (US) |
| Premium (90) | $0.00 USD per Gallon (US) |
| Ultra (95) | $0.00 USD per Gallon (US) |
| Diesel | $0.00 USD per Gallon (US) |
Gasoline Availability / Frequency
Gas shortages are known to occur in rural areas of Kenya. Distance between petrol stations can be as long as 500km.
Gasoline Quality
Diesel quality is low grade. Expect the vehicle to puff large quantities of smoke.
External information about gasoline
To Be Confirmed.
Safety and Security Considerations
Driving at night
Driving at night should not be encouraged due to the roadworthness of local vehicles, wild and domestic animals.
Vehicle parking
Vehicles should not be parked on the street due to theft.
Special driving considerations
To Be Confirmed.
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Kenya - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Camping
Organized camping in Kenya is very popular. The average price is roughly $10.00 USD per person. Wild or bush camping is possible and encouraged however the independent traveler might find the population density to high to bush camp without visitors.
Camping guide books
To Be Confirmed.
Drinking water
Regular tap water is safe to drink however it is encouraged to filter any ground or rain water.
Paper maps
- Michelin North East and Arabia 954 or 745 Map.
- African Adventure Atlas (National Geographic) is an alternative.
GPS
Review Tracks4Africa
Directions and GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc.
To Be Confirmed.
Overland Travel Interest
Special Overland interests
- National Game Parks: Masai Mara
- Remote lakes: Lake Turkana
Guide Books
Vehicle Maintenance
Dealers
4x4s / Trucks
- Toyota Global Dealer Locator
- Land Rover International Dealer Locator
- Mercedes Benz International (select country on bottom right)
- Jeep International site locator
Motorbikes
Local Garages
To Be Confirmed.
Buying and selling vehicles
Buying a vehicle as a foreigner
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle. List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.
Selling a foreign-plated vehicle
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'
References
- Kenya Tourism website - Magical Kenya
Helpful External links
- Overland Live Blog - Vehicle Insurance - Africa Overland Insurance
- Independent Overland Website - The Africa Overland Network
