SELFDRIVE IN EAST AFRICA

With the information on this page we hope to prepare you for your trip to East Africa. If you have any unanswered questions, don’t hesitate to send us a message!

Travel Agency – 4×4 self-drive – 4×4 self-drive East Africa

ASK A QUESTION

Explore our selfdrive knowledge base

Camping Equipment

Camping equipment can be provided with our vehicles on request. For a list of gear, please check HERE.

Park Fees

HERE. For the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, please visit this THIS page. And you can find info ont he Mara Triangle on THIS page.

Itinerary planning

Try our destination section for inspiration for your coming trip. If you have any questions, we’re happy to assist in planning your East African Safari.

Travel Visa

Apply online for an e-visa.

Camping

Stay at the most beautiful spots Kenya has to offer. Almost all of the National Parks have designated campsites.

Groceries

Pre-order online or take a look at Naivas, Carrefour. And don’t forget to check the local trading centres and road sellers for the freshest vegetables!

Money

A lot of places offer card payment or cash but every shop will use M-pesa, online banking trough cellphones.

Vaccinations

A yellow fever vaccination is mandatory, for other vaccinations please contact your local gp.

Driving in East Africa

Driving in East Africa can be a challenge sometimes. It makes a lot of difference if you don’t hurry. So hakuna matata and take it slow. Driving at night is a no go in Africa since there can be people and animals on the road which you can’t see at night.

CAMPING EQUIPMENT

Below you will find the equipment we supply with the vehicle, if you have any questions or requests, kindly let us know.

Camping Basics
  • Tent or rooftoptent
  • Sleeping mats/blow up mattress/self-inflating sleeping mats x 2
  • Sleeping bags x 2 (if you’re a couple, try and get a “left” & “right” bag
    so you can zip the two bags together) – 0°C (32°F) or even +2°C (35.6°F)
    is fine
  • Small pillows x 2
  • Fold-up camping chairs x 2
  • Fold-up camping table
  • Torch x 2, plus extra batteries
  • Lantern or similar camp light
Kitchen Goodies
  • Table cloth
  • Plates x 2
  • Small bowls x 2
  • Mugs x 2
  • Sturdy drinking glasses x 2 (or stainless steel tumblers)
  • Knives, forks, spoons, teaspoons x 2 each
  • Steak knives x 2
  • Braai (BBQ) tong
  • Egg lifter
  • Wooden spoon
  • Can/bottle opener combo
  • Corkscrew
  • Cutting board
  • Salt & pepper shaker
  • Egg rings x 2-4
  • Large bowl (for crisps or salads)
  • Small braai grid
  • Medium pot with lid
  • Frying pan with lid
  • Small storage bowls or Ziplock bags for the odd left over food x 2 or so
  • Small storage plastic containers for tea, coffee, sugar, coffee creamer
  • Dish cloth x 1 or 2
  • Dish sponge x 1
  • Steel wool x 1
  • Plastic kitchen crate with lid to keep it all in
    And a few things that actually fall in the “groceries” category, but you
    don’t want to be caught without:
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Charcoal or fire wood
  • Fire lighters
  • Matches
For the car
  • Park map and info booklet (obtainable at park gates)
  • Wildlife guide book with mammals, birds…
  • A good pair of binoculars
  • Cooler box
  • Freezer blocks (sufficient qty for the size of your cooler box) – or you can regularly buy ice at the camp shops.
  • Flask for coffee
  • Cans cooler holders x 2
  • Small rubbish bag!
  • Pack of cards
  • Reading book(s)
  • Washing line (to tie between trees) & some pegs

BACK TO TOP

PARK FEES

The National Parks are managed by the Kenya Wildlife Services, you can find the rates HERE. For the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, please visit THIS page. And you can find info ont he Mara Triangle on THIS page. If you’re planning to visit a conservancy or park not listed above, please check with the parks website for rates/conservation fees/tariffs.

Travel Agency – 4×4 self-drive – 4×4 self-drive East Africa

BACK TO TOP

ITINERARY PLANNING

Try our destination section for inspiration for your coming trip. If you have any questions, we’re happy to assist in planning your East African Safari. We are currently in the process of adding new destinations to the website.

Travel Agency – 4×4 self-drive – 4×4 self-drive East Africa

DESTINATIONS >

VISA

To enter Kenya you have to apply for a visa. The government offers online applications which makes it easy for travelers to apply.

Visit https://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html for information.

CAMPING

Camping in East Africa’s wilderness, even within the confines of designated campsites can put your health and safety at risk if not chosen wisely.

Likewise, by being out in the wild, you’re sharing nature with other travelers, locals, and wildlife, so remember to respect your fellow neighbors and preserve the environment.

Here are a few tips and camping best practices to help you and Mother Nature stay safe. When setting up your camp, try to choose a spot that is as flat as possible and at a reasonable distance from game trails and bodies of water.

  • Consider buying firewood in advance, otherwise, only collect dead wood if it is allowed within the park. And always extinguish your campfire before going to bed.
  • Pack up all of your food, garbage and laundry before you leave your campsite unattended to and avoid unwanted visitors.
  • If you’re on an independent game drive, stay in your vehicle at all times. Use a pair of binoculars to get a closer look at the animals.
  • To minimize the effects of the ever blossoming East African sun, drink plenty of liquids, apply and re-apply sunscreen and protect your eyes with a pair of sunglasses and some kind of headwear.
  • Travel Agency – 4×4 self-drive – 4×4 self-drive East Africa

BACK TO TOP

DRIVING

How to drive on the roads of East Africa

East Africa is composed of Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya & Tanzania as well as Burundi. Rwanda and Burundi drive on the right hand, independent travelers take a note of that. Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya drive on the left hand of the road.

East Africa’s roads are generally in good condition especially in the main cities and these can be traveled on comfortably depending on which region you are stationed in the country.

Plan your route

Even though most of the major highways are tarred and in good conditions, many tourist attractions are only accessible via gravel roads. Some attractions like the Bwindi Forest NP, Kidepo Valley NP, Queen Elizabeth NP and Murchison Falls NP are open to 4WD vehicles.

You will have to plan your route according to your vehicle and your driving skills. Most maps will classify the roads into tarred major roads, gravel major roads, gravel district roads and 4×4 only. The weather plays an important role as well. The rainy season from January to April can make driving a lot more difficult. You might have to navigate along soaked gravel roads and you could be faced with a river crossing the road mostly Kidepo Valley National Park.

There are also great distances between towns and many of the roads are less than busy, so it might be a while before help arrives. The best thing is to be well prepared which obviously includes driving the right vehicle.

Travel Agency – 4×4 self-drive – 4×4 self-drive East Africa

4×4 or 2-Wheel-Drive

Choosing a vehicle depends on your destinations, your budget, driving skills and the amount of people and equipment you’re carrying. Travelling into 4×4 country also means that you will have to be self reliant at least to a certain degree. Make sure you have enough room to stock up on food and petrol and also find out how far a full tank will take you. If you want to find remote 4×4 destinations consider the Kidepo Valley National Park.

The tarmac roads in the countries enhance easy transportation from one place to another especially when on holiday vacation adventure in Africa. There are also dirt roads that are maintained to ensure easy transfers to the destinations of your choice.

Travel Agency – 4×4 self-drive – 4×4 self-drive East Africa

BACK TO TOP