AboutKagi Expertise I can answer questions on the overall Kenyan culture, our history (given some time to confirm the facts), and our way of life in the towns and rural areas. I'm not claiming expertise, but if you want my opinion, I'll give it to you.
Experience I am a Kenyan, I have worked with various children's homes and aid organisations to get a hint of the other side of the street, and I enjoy observing Kenyan life. I have also done a number of courses in culture.
Organizations I Choose Life (ICL), Kenya Book Foundation (KBF), and SIFE
Publications A local magazine in Kenyan estates in Nairobi, AdPaper, and my university newspaper, Involvement.
Education/Credentials A liberal B.A in Communication.
Expert: Kagi Date: 9/6/2007 Subject: Driving in Kenya
Question Hello Kagure
My friend and I would like to go to Kenya in December, over Christmas and New Year. We have managed to get a flight to Nairobi but shall need to drive from Nairobi down to Malindi.
We appear to be unable to get a travel agent to book a hire car for us from here. (South AFrica)
Firstly we are unsure about just arriving in Nairobi without having booked a car beforehand and secondly we are anxious to know about the safety of this route.
After a week in Malindi, we would ideally like to travel inland again. We cannot get bookings anywhere from here at this point and were wondering about leaving it up to chance.
Of course the other question again, is the safety of driving.
thank you for your help!!!!
Michelle
Answer Hi Michelle,
Over Christmas and New Year, there's a lot of activity and drunk drivers are on the rise. You will have to contend with traffic jams and very bad roads, that look nothing like what you have in South Africa.
There are car hire places at the airport but since it will be peak season, the likelihood of getting a car is a bit slim. However, it is an election year, and we typically vote in late December. There's some heightened political tension, but we have a national elections prayer day tomorrow (Saturday) so we're all hoping God will knock sufficient sense into all Kenyans and we'll have peaceful elections. If not, tourists to the country will be fewer, so you could get a car.
Kenya Tourism Board, a governement outfit, should have a list of tours and travel agents who could help you out. Google them and check out their website for links, then see if a company could help you out.
Car hire companies are Avisz, Heltz, 4*4 Car Hire, and others. I don't have their websites, but maybe Google will come up with something? You could mail them and have them book a car for you.
Also, the drive down to the coast is bound to be long and tiring. The roads suck. Malindi has narrower roads, so make sure you don't get too bulky a car. A Toyota RAV4 should do. It's rather slim and has transmission to get you through the rough spots. I'd advice you to set off early, maybe by 7 a.m. It will take about 8-10 hours, depending on your speed and traffic, to drive down to Malindi. If you're lucky, it may take seven hours. It's best to get there in sufficient light. Don't stop on the highways, and always be alert. I'd rather you get all your food from Nairobi, and then stop over in Voi for a snack and to stretch. You'll notice the popular rest stops coz the buses will offload several passengers there. Use these rest stops, you're safer there.
Be careful, we used to have public transport fix speed governors on their engines, but they managed to do away with this. Many flout traffic rules, so avoid them if necessary and always give them way. If they hit you, they have less to lose, and they use that knowledge to the full.
But, I'm sure you'll have a great ride and fabulous time. The scenery and people of Kenya are wow!! Let me know if you need any more help.
