| The self drive Kenya safaris are a viable and | | | | course water. You may need to also test drive |
| exciting option is you have the necessary camping | | | | your choice car around Nairobi. Never take the |
| equipment and when you can get a group | | | | word of a car hire firm as final. |
| together. Nothing beats the experience of | | | | Your check list |
| discovering new frontiers by maps, getting lost | | | | Check and double check your equipment and don't |
| and found and all the frills of DIY. | | | | pay until you are sure of the fitness of the car |
| Group self drive safaris | | | | especially. Most importantly find out of the self |
| The group will of course help you share the cost | | | | drive car rental firm has a backup mechanism. |
| of hiring a vehicle and other expenses. It is | | | | Mobile VHF radio or at the least a mobile phone is |
| however highly discouraged to go on a | | | | of course very essential. |
| do-it-yourself safari by yourself. Besides the | | | | Believe me I once had a situation, in the middle of |
| everyday risks of mugging and solitude, you don't | | | | forsaken carnivore territory and not even a |
| want to be changing a tyre with no one watching | | | | match to send smoke signals. Me thinks you |
| your back for that Tsavo lion. | | | | wouldn't want to have been there with me. |
| Pros of a self drive safari | | | | Rental/Hiring costs of camping gear |
| There are of course several advantages of a DIY | | | | Identification such as passport is required and |
| safari over organised itineraries through outfitters. | | | | advance booking is recommended and saves time. |
| This ranges from the flexibility, independence of | | | | Expect to pay 400 for a sleeping bag per day |
| being able to choose your safari companions and | | | | with liner, Kshs 700 for a two person dome tent |
| of-course the thrill of being out and about | | | | and Kshs 200 per day for gas stove (gas |
| exploring. It is however also wise to know that | | | | canisters are extra). |
| going on a self drive safari will cost you as much | | | | A deposit of Kshs 3000-5000 is payable for most |
| as an organised cheap safari. | | | | items. For longer trips it may be reasonable to |
| The down side of self drives safaris | | | | buy some of these items at the big Nakumatt |
| Besides the cost, vehicle breakdowns, accidents, | | | | super markets in Nairobi which sell cheap plastic |
| security and a lack of local knowledge are also | | | | plates, stoves, chairs etc. |
| major handicaps in a self drive safari tour. | | | | It is also possible to hire a vehicle and camping |
| Your flexibility | | | | equipment as one package. Some companies in |
| With an appropriate vehicle, all accommodation | | | | Nairobi offer rather an unusual package of a fully |
| options are open to you even out of the way | | | | fitted 4WD with roof-mounted tent and |
| places and camping and using bandas are two | | | | everything else you might need for a long self |
| good ways of keeping down your costs. | | | | drive safari for up to four people, including mobile |
| Camping Equipment Hire for DIY Safaris | | | | phone, fridge, gas cooker and cooking utensils. |
| If you want to hire camping equipment, there are | | | | Prices range from BP 100 per day (less than 10 |
| several places in Nairobi that you can go to for | | | | days) to BP 80 per day (25 days or more), with |
| the same. Organize to have at least 2 days to | | | | a minimum of five days rental; insurance excess |
| get the vehicle camping, gear, maps, cooking | | | | waiver is an additional BP15. |
| ware, canvas safari bathrooms, supplies and of | | | | |