Money-Saving Tips for Your Kenya Safari Trip

Kenya is a popular safari destination. The bare beauty of the country spreads from the Indian Ocean to the borders of Tanzania in the south, Uganda to the west and South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia to the north. The best way to experience a great and exciting safari trip through Kenya is to hire a car and discover the country in all its magnificence.

There is no simple way of describing Nairobi. From the exuberant nightlife to the high-spirited day-to-day life, the city offers exciting entertainment. Nairobi is the fastest-growing and largest city in Africa, also referred to as The Capital of Safari. The city is home to the Jomo Kenyatta Airport.

It is advisable to shop for transport at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport in order to continue your journey as soon as you arrive. The Airport staff is friendly and helpful, and you will instantly feel at home. This well-designed Airport facilitates a restaurant, pub, cafeteria and a snack bar. The construction of $15.5 billion at the Kenyatta Airport is done, and the new terminal can handle 9 million passengers each year. Hire a car from the airport and explore what Kenya has to offer.

Plan the Trip

A safari trip to Kenya needs planning. Planning is part of the excitement of going on holiday or visiting friends in a foreign country. The accommodation is booked, and you need to find suitable transport. Car rentals can end up costing you a lot of money. With proper research and a sensible budget, you can avoid unnecessary expenses. Investigate your car hire options and make certain that you are not being tricked into unexpected expenses.

Give a clear understanding of what your needs are and be specific on who will accompany you and where are you heading to. The majority of born and bred Kenyans are patient and helpful, and the staff will treat you with respect and friendliness.

Preventative Measures

Have copies made of your passport, driver’s license and certify these documents. It is safer to carry copies rather than the original documentation. If you get stranded without legal documents allowing you to be in the country, it may cost you a lot of money to get to the embassy in order to obtain the required documents.

Make sure you know how the hoist works (some can be tricky!). Phoning a workshop for help can be expensive. It is important to always have bottled water with you. Once you are in the remote areas, it can be extremely difficult to get drinking water.

A small first-aid kit containing painkillers, disinfectant, bandages and ointment is advisable. Doctors can be hard to find in remote areas. Carry insect repellent with you as mosquitoes can be a nuisance at night.

Getting lost is Usually Expensive

Know the directions to your destiny. You cannot entirely depend on road signs, especially when you are not on a main road. Using a GPS is always a good suggestion. Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged as you may need it in case of emergencies. You never know what can happen on the road.

Getting lost may result into driving longer distances, and you may end up sleeping over at places you did not financially plan for. Notify the staff of your destination that you are on your way. Tell them when to expect you. If anything happens or you do not arrive in time, they can notify the police or rescue services. Important numbers to carry include the Kenya Police, and the place where you are heading to such as the hotel (or lodge) and emergency services.

Stay Safe and Save

Avoid traveling at night. You do not want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere during the dark hours as this can be dangerous. You may have to hire someone to take you to the nearest city and even with the best negotiation skills, it remains an expensive option.

Make sure your fuel is sufficient for the distance you are planning on before leaving the city or town. If your vehicle runs out of fuel in the remote areas, you will not only have trouble in finding someone to get fuel, but it will also cost you a lot of money.

Do not fool yourself. Speed kills. It is safe to drive within your capability of speed. Be obedient to traffic rules. Disregarding the traffic rules can take lives, and Kenya is well-known for fining drivers heavily. Drunken driving impairs your decision-making process, which leads to accidents. Car insurance companies will not cover these accidents if a driver is found to be intoxicated. An accident that occurred while intoxicated will cost you a large amount of money.

Remember to make good use of the central locking of the vehicle. Hijacking occurs everywhere in the world. Kenya, specifically Nairobi and Mombasa, is no exception. You are on holiday, excited, relaxed, and simply do not think about safety. When driving in the city keep the vehicle central locked. Hijacking is a terrible, traumatic and expensive experience.

The best way to experience a treasured safari trip through Kenya is to hire a car and discover the country in all its magnificence. However, by doing everything possible to stay safe, you can avoid extra expenses and save money.