Frequently Asked Questions About Car Rental in Nairobi & Kenya for Tourists

Yes. Tourists and foreign visitors driving in Kenya must hold a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in their home country, alongside their original national driving licence. Both documents must be presented at vehicle pickup. Kenyan residents only need their national driving licence.

Absolutely. Munwan Car Rental welcomes international tourists. You'll need a valid passport, an International Driving Permit with your national licence, and a credit/debit card or M-Pesa for payment. We can meet you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) with a name board the moment you land.

You'll need three things:

1. A valid driving licence — national licence for residents, or national licence plus an International Driving Permit for tourists.
2. A passport or national ID.
3. A payment method — card, M-Pesa, or PayPal.

No notarisation or translation is required for licences issued in English.

The minimum age to rent a car with Munwan Car Rental is 23 years old, with at least 2 years of driving experience. Drivers under 25 may pay a small young-driver surcharge. The maximum age is 75 subject to a valid licence and health.

Yes, provided your foreign licence is accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP). Licences issued in English may be accepted for short rentals without an IDP — please confirm with our team via WhatsApp before arrival to avoid any pickup delays.

Car rental in Kenya starts from $28/day for economy saloons (Mazda Demio, Toyota Fielder), $50–$85/day for SUVs (Toyota Rav4, Harrier, Mazda CX5), and $92–$120/day for premium 4x4s and executive vans (Toyota Prado, Alphard). All prices include full insurance, GPS tracking, and unlimited mileage within Kenya.

No hidden charges. Our daily rate includes comprehensive insurance, GPS, 24/7 roadside assistance, airport/hotel delivery within Nairobi and Mombasa, and unlimited mileage. There is no security deposit. Optional extras (additional driver, child seat, driver hire) are clearly priced before you confirm checkout.

Yes. Munwan Car Rental accepts:

• M-Pesa (Safaricom STK Push)
• Visa, Mastercard, Verve (via Paystack secure checkout)
• PayPal

You can pay in USD, KES, GBP, or EUR. No extra FX charges. Card details are entered only on Paystack's PCI-DSS secured page — never on Munwan Car Rental.

No. Munwan Car Rental does not require a security deposit. Your booking total is what you pay — no surprise hold on your card or M-Pesa. We rely on full insurance and verified ID to protect both parties.

Yes. Munwan Car Rental accepts payment in USD, EUR, GBP and KES. All currencies are processed securely through Paystack or PayPal with no hidden FX markup. M-Pesa transactions are settled in KES at the published daily rate.

Yes. Our 4x4 safari vehicles (Toyota Prado, Land Cruiser) are designed for the Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve route. The journey is approximately 5–6 hours and includes unpaved sections, so we strongly recommend a 4x4 rather than a saloon. Unlimited mileage applies within Kenya.

Yes. Our safari fleet includes Toyota Prado, Land Cruiser Prado TXL, and similar 4x4 SUVs — all equipped with roof hatches for game viewing, high clearance for rough roads in Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, and Tsavo, plus long-range fuel tanks for remote park travel.

Yes. We offer a range of 4x4 vehicles suitable for Kenya's rough and unpaved roads, including Toyota Prado, Nissan X-Trail, Toyota Rav4 and Subaru Forester. All 4x4s include comprehensive insurance, a spare tyre, jack, wheel spanner, and 24/7 breakdown support.

Yes. All Munwan Car Rental rentals include comprehensive insurance: third-party liability, theft protection, and passenger cover at no extra cost. A standard excess applies in the event of an accident. You may upgrade to zero-excess cover for approximately $8/day at checkout.

All Munwan Car Rental vehicles have live GPS tracking and we operate 24/7 roadside assistance across Kenya. Call or WhatsApp us immediately on +254 117 262 350 — we will dispatch a mechanic or arrange a replacement vehicle at no cost to you, anywhere from Nairobi to remote safari parks like the Maasai Mara.

Yes. Munwan Car Rental offers free meet-and-greet at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Wilson Airport, and Mombasa's Moi International Airport. A representative waits at arrivals with a Munwan Car Rental name board from the moment you land. You can also request hotel or Airbnb delivery across Nairobi and Mombasa.

Yes. Pickup at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is available 24/7 at both Terminal 1 (international) and Terminal 2 (domestic). Our representative holds a Munwan Car Rental name board at the arrivals exit and assists with luggage. The service is included at no extra charge.

Yes. We deliver cars free of charge to any hotel or Airbnb within Nairobi city limits and Mombasa. Simply choose "Hotel Delivery" at booking and enter your address. Delivery to upcountry destinations (Naivasha, Nakuru, Diani Beach) can be arranged with a small fee quoted before confirmation.

Yes. One-way rentals are available between Nairobi, Mombasa, Diani Beach, and Kisumu. A one-way drop-off fee applies (typically $30–$80 depending on distance) and must be confirmed at booking. Minimum rental period for one-way is 3 days.

Yes, Kenya is generally safe for tourist self-drive, especially main routes between Nairobi, Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and the coastal region. Key tips: observe speed limits, avoid night driving on highways, fuel up before long trips, keep doors locked in traffic, and keep valuables out of sight. All Munwan Car Rental vehicles have GPS tracking and 24/7 emergency support for peace of mind.

Kenya drives on the left side of the road (like the UK, Australia, India, and South Africa). Right-hand-drive vehicles are standard. Roundabouts give way to traffic from the right. If you're from a right-side-driving country (US, Europe), allow a little time to adjust — our with-driver option is ideal for your first day to avoid stress.

Main highways in Kenya (Nairobi to Mombasa, Nairobi to Naivasha, Nairobi to Nyeri) are paved and well-signposted. Roads into national parks like Maasai Mara or Samburu are unpaved and sometimes rough — a 4x4 is essential. Urban Nairobi traffic can be heavy during rush hours; our GPS helps you navigate alternate routes.

Both options are available:

• Self-drive is popular with confident drivers used to left-hand traffic and manual/automatic transmissions.
• With-driver is recommended if you're unfamiliar with Kenya's roads, plan complex safari itineraries, or want to fully enjoy the scenery.

Our vetted professional drivers start from $20/day extra.

After booking, select "M-Pesa" at checkout and enter your Safaricom phone number. You'll receive an STK Push prompt on your phone — enter your M-Pesa PIN to confirm payment. The transaction is instant, processed by Safaricom's secure Daraja API, and the booking is confirmed immediately.

Yes. After you enter your Safaricom number and click "Pay with M-Pesa", an STK Push prompt appears on your phone within a few seconds. Enter your 4-digit M-Pesa PIN to complete payment.

M-Pesa STK Push works only with Safaricom numbers in Kenya. International visitors can use Visa, Mastercard, Verve (via Paystack), or PayPal — these accept foreign cards in USD, EUR, GBP, or KES with no hidden FX fees.

If payment fails, your booking remains saved as "Pending" and the vehicle is held for 30 minutes. You'll receive a clear error message and can retry with a different method (e.g. switch from M-Pesa to card). From your My Account page, click "Continue Payment" anytime to finish a pending booking — no need to start over.

No. Munwan Car Rental vehicles are not permitted to leave Kenya. Cross-border travel to Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Somalia or South Sudan is strictly prohibited under the rental agreement. Our insurance covers Kenya only. If you wish to drive in another East African country, you'll need to arrange a separate rental there.

Yes. All Munwan Car Rental rentals include unlimited mileage within Kenya at no extra charge. Safari packages and long-term rentals may have specific mileage terms stated on your rental agreement. Cross-border travel is subject to the country-specific mileage cap on your extended cover.

No, fuel is not included in the rental price — you pay for your own fuel. Vehicles are delivered with a full tank and must be returned full. If the tank is not full at return, a refuelling fee at pump rate plus a KES 500 service charge applies. Petrol stations are widely available across Kenya.

For safaris, we recommend 4x4 SUVs with roof hatches: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Toyota Prado TXL, or Nissan X-Trail. These have high clearance for rough tracks in Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, and Tsavo, plus the pop-up roof is essential for game viewing without leaving the vehicle.

Kenya drives on the left-hand side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle. This is a legacy of British colonial influence and is the same as the UK, Australia, India, South Africa, and Japan. Visitors from the US, EU, and most of South America should expect a 1–2 day adjustment period. Roundabouts move clockwise — yield to traffic from the right.

Yes, with sensible precautions. Kenya has a well-developed network of fuel stations, mobile coverage on all major routes, and 24/7 emergency services. Stick to daylight driving (we strongly advise against night driving outside Nairobi), keep your fuel topped up, lock doors in city traffic, and avoid driving in flood-prone areas during heavy rain. Our 24/7 roadside assistance covers the entire country.

Yes. Visitors from the UK, USA, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, India, and most Commonwealth nations can drive in Kenya for up to 90 days using their home country licence (must be in English) accompanied by an International Driving Permit. Licences in non-Latin scripts must always be translated via an IDP. After 90 days, you'll need to convert to a Kenyan licence through NTSA.

Police checkpoints are routine and usually quick. Pull over calmly, lower your window, and politely greet the officer (a "Habari" — hello — goes a long way). Have ready: your passport, IDP, home licence, and the vehicle's rental agreement & insurance certificate (we provide these in your dashboard glove compartment). Most checks are documentary and last under a minute. Do not pay any "fines" on the spot — request a written ticket and call us if anything seems unusual.

No, we strongly recommend against night driving outside Nairobi and Mombasa city limits. Kenyan roads have unmarked livestock, pedestrians, potholes, and unlit broken-down trucks. National park access is also restricted after dusk. Plan to be at your destination by 6pm. If you must drive at night, stay on well-lit highways like Mombasa Road or Thika Road, drive at moderate speed, and use full beams cautiously.

Kenyan speed limits in 2025:

• Urban areas / built-up zones: 50 km/h
• Open highways (single carriageway): 80 km/h
• Dual carriageways & expressways (Nairobi Expressway, Thika Road): 110 km/h
• National parks: 50 km/h, often lower near wildlife
• Schools & townships: 30–50 km/h

Speed cameras are common on Mombasa Road, Thika Road, and the Nairobi Expressway. Fines start at KES 10,000.

Park entry fees are paid per person, per 24-hour period at the gate, separate from your car rental. Approximate non-resident rates:

• Maasai Mara National Reserve: USD 100/adult, USD 50/child
• Amboseli National Park: USD 60/adult
• Lake Nakuru National Park: USD 60/adult
• Tsavo East / West: USD 52/adult
• Nairobi National Park: USD 43/adult
• Hell's Gate / Lake Naivasha area: USD 26/adult

Pay by Visa/Mastercard at the gate, or M-Pesa where supported. Carry your passport for non-resident verification.

For peak safari season (July–October for the Great Migration, and December–early January for holidays), book at least 2–3 months ahead. Toyota Prados, Land Cruisers, and pop-top safari vehicles get reserved fastest. Off-season (April–June, November), 2–3 weeks ahead is usually enough. Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible — message us on WhatsApp for live availability.

Safaricom 4G covers all major roads and most park gates. Inside Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and Tsavo, signal is patchy but available at major lodges and main tracks. Samburu and Lewa have weaker coverage. Every Munwan Car Rental vehicle includes a GPS unit pre-loaded with offline Kenya maps, so you can navigate even in low-signal zones. We also recommend downloading Maps.me or Google Maps offline before your trip.

Fuel is widely available on tarmac roads. Major brands: Total, Shell, Rubis, Vivo. Fuel up at the last town before entering a park — for the Mara, that's Narok (90 km from the gate). For Amboseli, Emali. There is no fuel inside the parks. Carry a 20 L jerry can on multi-day safaris in remote areas. Petrol is "premium" or "regular"; diesel is widely available. Prices fluctuate monthly (KES 180–210/L typical in 2025).

Every Munwan Car Rental vehicle carries a spare tyre, jack, wheel spanner, fire extinguisher, warning triangles, first aid kit, and a tyre pump. Our 24/7 roadside assistance reaches anywhere in Kenya — call or WhatsApp +254 117 262 350. We dispatch a recovery vehicle or replacement car within hours (usually under 4 hours in Nairobi/Mombasa, 6–10 hours in remote areas). Mechanical repairs are at our cost; only damages caused by negligent driving are billed to you.

Yes, but with a 4×4. The "long rains" (March–May) and "short rains" (October–November) make tarmac slippery and turn dirt tracks to mud — especially around Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and the Aberdares. We recommend a Toyota Prado or Land Cruiser in these months. Avoid driving immediately after heavy rain (flash flooding on bridges in Tana and Athi River basins). Most highways stay passable; pause for the worst storms (1–2 hours).

As of January 2024, Kenya replaced visas with the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). All visitors except citizens of East African Community countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan) need an eTA. Apply at etakenya.go.ke at least 3 days before travel. The fee is USD 32.50, valid for 90 days. You'll need: passport (6+ months validity), return ticket, proof of accommodation, and a digital photo. Approval is usually within 24–72 hours.

Yes. We offer rooftop tents, ground tents, sleeping bags, camp chairs, cooking sets, and gas cookers as add-ons. A 2-person rooftop tent with mattress is approximately USD 15/day. Full camping packages (tent + bedding + cooking + chairs + table) start at USD 30/day. Ideal for self-drive safaris to Tsavo, Samburu, and the conservancies around Maasai Mara. Mention "camping" when booking and we'll send the equipment list.

Yes — additional drivers can be added to the rental agreement at no extra charge. Each additional driver must:
• Be at least 23 years old
• Hold a valid licence with 2+ years' experience
• Present their licence + IDP at pickup

Insurance only covers named drivers. Letting an un-listed person drive voids your insurance for any incident — please add them at booking, not afterwards.

Every Munwan Car Rental rental includes:

• Comprehensive insurance (theft, third-party, collision damage waiver)
• Unlimited mileage within Kenya
• GPS navigation unit with offline Kenya maps
• 24/7 roadside assistance & replacement vehicle if needed
• Free pickup & return at JKIA, Wilson, and Mombasa Moi airports
• Spare tyre, jack, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangles (all legally required)
• Vehicle inspection report at handover

Not included: fuel (vehicle delivered full, return full), park entry fees, traffic fines, optional add-ons (driver, child seat, camping kit).

Yes — one-way rentals within Kenya are supported. Drop your car at any of our locations: JKIA, Wilson Airport, Mombasa Moi Airport, Diani, Naivasha, or Nairobi CBD. A relocation fee applies based on distance: free between Nairobi and JKIA, USD 80–150 for Nairobi↔Mombasa, USD 50 for Nairobi↔Naivasha. One-way fees are quoted at booking.

Yes — the minimum rental period is 2 days. Same-day or 24-hour rentals are not available. For long-term rentals (7+ days), you qualify for our weekly discount of approximately 10–15% off the daily rate. 30+ day rentals get further preferential pricing — message us for a quote.

Stay calm and follow these steps:

1. Check for injuries. Call 999 (police/ambulance) if anyone is hurt.
2. Move the vehicle off the road if safe. Place warning triangles (50 m front and rear).
3. Do not admit fault or sign anything from the other party.
4. Take photos of the scene, both vehicles, both number plates, and any injuries.
5. Get the other driver's details: name, ID, phone, vehicle registration, insurance.
6. File a police report (P3 form) at the nearest station — required for insurance.
7. Call Munwan Car Rental immediately on +254 117 262 350. We handle the rest.

English is one of two official languages in Kenya (alongside Swahili) and is widely spoken — including by police, park rangers, fuel attendants, and lodge staff. Our entire Munwan Car Rental team speaks fluent English. Learning a few Swahili phrases like "Habari" (hello), "Asante" (thank you), and "Pole pole" (slowly) is appreciated but not necessary.

Yes. Munwan Car Rental accepts M-Pesa, PayPal, and debit cards in addition to credit cards. There is no security deposit required, so a physical credit card is not necessary. Pay your full booking total with whichever method you prefer.

Yes. Our professional chauffeur service is available for airport transfers, business hire, safari trips, and city tours. Drivers are licensed, English-speaking, and knowledgeable about Nairobi, Mombasa, Diani Beach, and Kenya's major safari parks. Rates start from $20/day additional. Choose "With Driver" when booking.

Ensure everyone is safe, then:

1. Call Munwan Car Rental immediately on +254 117 262 350 and the police if needed.
2. Take photos of the scene and the other vehicle's details.
3. Do not admit fault to other parties.

We'll guide you through the insurance claim, dispatch a replacement vehicle, and handle paperwork. A standard excess applies unless you upgraded to zero-excess cover.

Our cancellation policy — we always refund, no zero-refund situations:

• Cancellations 48+ hours before pickup → 100% refund
• Cancellations within 24 hours of pickup (incl. same-day & no-shows) → 80% refund
• Date changes are free up to 24 hours before pickup, subject to availability

WhatsApp us on +254 727 745 907 with your booking reference.