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Nairobi Car Hire: Self-Drive & Chauffeur Services in Kenya

Experience Kenya with confidence and flexibility. Nairobi Car Hire offers self-drive and chauffeur-driven rentals, from affordable economy cars to luxury SUVs. We specialize in Nairobi airport car rental—meeting you at JKIA or Wilson—and provide pickup throughout the city, including Westlands, the CBD, Karen, and major hotels. Our modern fleet covers all needs: compact cars, sedans, 4×4 hire vehicles, vans, and high-end luxury sedans. Whether you’re planning an urban tour or a safari adventure, our friendly, professional service makes car rental easy and enjoyable.

  • Wide Range of Vehicles: Choose from fuel-efficient compacts to spacious SUVs and vans.

  • Competitive Pricing: Deals start from as low as $30–$40/day for economy cars—25% of rentals in Kenya are $57/day or less—up to premium luxury rates (around $150–300/day).

  • 24/7 Support & Booking: Book anytime with clear USD pricing, no hidden fees, and free cancellation (24h notice).

Toyota Land Cruiser Hard Top_4WD Car Rental Uganda_Car Rental Road Trips

Self-Drive Car Rental Nairobi

Take the wheel and explore at your own pace. Our self-drive rental Nairobi service gives you freedom to roam—from Nairobi city sights to remote national parks. Most of Kenya’s parks (Tsavo, Amboseli, Samburu, Mt. Kenya, Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, etc.) welcome private vehicles, so opt for our 4×4 hire Nairobi vehicles to handle rough roads and dirt tracks. We equip 4WDs with extra fuel and spares for safety.

Drivers should be at least 23 years old and hold a valid license (an International Driving Permit is recommended). We track your flight for airport pickups, so upon landing at JKIA or Wilson, you can jump right in and drive away. Enjoy the adventure of Kenya on your schedule, with GPS navigation and 24/7 roadside assistance included.

  • Adventure-Ready: Go beyond Nairobi—reach Maasai Mara or Amboseli on your own. Many parks only accept 4WDs.

  • Flexibility: Unlimited daily mileage on local trips. Customize your itinerary with stops at Rift Valley viewpoints or Lake Naivasha.

  • Cost-Efficient: Economy compacts from ~$30/day (up to 57% cheaper than larger cars) make solo or budget travel affordable

Toyota Van_Afffordable Car Rental Uganda_Car Rental Road Trips

Chauffeur-Driven Car Hire Nairobi

Relax and enjoy the ride. Our chauffeur service in Nairobi provides a licensed driver and vehicle, ideal for business travelers, airport transfers, or special events. Choose an executive sedan or SUV and let our experienced drivers navigate the city for you. This luxury-aware service is perfect for wedding parties, corporate outings or VIP guests. Rates include the car rental plus a driver fee (typically around $20–30/day), all quoted in USD for convenience.

  • Professional Drivers: Polite, English-speaking chauffeurs familiar with Nairobi’s roads and culture.

  • Door-to-Door Service: Meet you at your hotel or airport with luggage assistance; no parking or navigation hassles.

  • Flexible Hours: Book by day or hour. Drivers rest in Nairobi at night (we handle accommodations on multi-day tours).

Fleet & Pricing

Vehicle Category Examples From (USD/day) Notes
Compact & Economy Cars Toyota Starlet, Suzuki Swift $30–40 Fuel-efficient; ~57% cheaper than larger vehicles.
Sedans Toyota Axio, Nissan Sylphy $45–60 Comfortable for up to 4 passengers.
SUVs Toyota RAV4, Ford Everest $70–90 Good ground clearance, extra cargo room.
4×4 & Off-Road Vehicles Toyota Prado, Land Cruiser $90–120 Essential for parks and rural roads.
Minivans/Vans Toyota Hiace, Nissan Caravan $80–100 Seats 8–15; ideal for groups or families.
Luxury Cars Mercedes C/E-Class, BMW 5/7 Series, Lexus, Range Rover $150–300+ Premium comfort & style for executives.


Airport Pick-up & Transfers (JKIA & Wilson)

We offer seamless Nairobi airport car rental service. At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi’s main airport 18 km southeast of downtown, our rep waits in arrivals to hand over your car or drive you out. Wilson Airport (domestic flights) is just 4 km south of the CBD, and we also cover pickups there.

  • JKIA Car Hire: Meet-and-greet at your terminal, luggage assistance, and vehicle briefing.

  • Wilson Airport Transfers: Quick domestic arrivals shuttle to any Nairobi destination.

  • Flight Monitoring: We track your flight so even late or early arrivals are smoothly handled.

  • City-to-City Shuttles: Need a ride from Nairobi to Mombasa, Nakuru or a safari lodge? We arrange point-to-point transfers or multi-day tours on request.

Whether arriving for business or a safari, our airport service gets you on the road without delay.

Nairobi Coverage & Popular Locations

We serve the entire Nairobi area and beyond. Key locations include:

  • Central Business District (CBD): Government offices, hotels (e.g., Kempinski, Norfolk).

  • Westlands: An affluent mixed-use neighbourhood with malls and hotels.

  • Kilimani/Kangemi: Residential suburbs with apartments and nightlife.

  • Karen & Lang’ata: Upscale suburban area near the Nairobi National Park and Karen Blixen Museum.

  • Upper Hill: Corporate offices and conference centers.

  • City Hotels: Hotels and lodges in all major districts (bookings from Serena to Sarova).

Just tell us where you are—office, home, hotel, or airport—and our driver will meet you. We even deliver cars to gated estates or country homes around Nairobi.

Why Choose Nairobi Car Hire?

We combine adventurous spirit with professionalism and value:

  • Local Expertise: Decades of Kenyan driving and travel experience. We know Nairobi’s traffic patterns and safe routes.

  • Safety & Reliability: Vehicles undergo regular maintenance and safety checks. Comprehensive insurance is included.

  • Transparent Pricing: All rates in USD, upfront with no hidden fees. Optional extras (GPS, child seats) listed.

  • Customer-Centric: Friendly support team available 24/7. We handle all paperwork and guide you through Kenyan driving rules (e.g. keep headlights on outside cities).

  • Positive Reviews: Our clients praise the “professional service”, “clean vehicles” and “easy pickup” on travel forums and review sites.

Book with confidence: as Kayak notes, Nairobi is the most popular Kenyan city for rentals, and we’re proud to be among the top-rated providers here.

Book Your Nairobi Car Hire Today

Don’t wait—start your journey with the right vehicle! Contact us now to reserve your car:

Our team is ready to provide you with a quote and ensure your Nairobi trip is comfortable and hassle-free. Enjoy affordable rates, luxury options, and a friendly Kenyan welcome. Reserve now and experience the best of Nairobi Car Hire—your adventure (or business) awaits!


Frequently Asked Questions

What documents are required to rent a car in Kenya?

You need a valid passport or national ID for identification.
Drivers must present a valid driver’s license held for at least two years.
Most agencies require an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a translation of your license.
A credit card is normally required for the security deposit.
Drivers are generally aged 23–70, with under-25s often paying a young-driver surcharge.

How much does car rental cost in Kenya?

Economy cars start from around Ksh 3,000/day (≈USD 25).
Mid-size SUVs (Prado, Hilux) range from about Ksh 7,000–12,000/day (≈USD 70–120).
Full-size 4×4 rentals (Land Cruisers) typically cost Ksh 12,000–15,000/day (≈USD 110–140).
In Nairobi, average economy rates are USD 43/day, and SUVs average USD 100/day.
Chauffeur service adds about Ksh 2,000–3,000 (~USD 20–30) per day.

Do I need a 4×4 for safaris?

A 4×4 is highly recommended in parks like Tsavo, Amboseli, and Samburu due to rough or muddy tracks.
In rainy seasons, off-road capability becomes essential to access remote areas safely.
On main highways and in dry weather, a robust SUV or sedan may suffice, but most safari operators favor 4×4s.

Can I pick up or drop off the car at the airport?

Yes—major airports like Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta (NBO) and Mombasa (MBA) have rental counters for seamless pickup/drop-off.
Many companies offer free or discounted airport delivery on multi-day bookings when arranged in advance.
Counters in the arrivals hall streamline the handover process and save you time.

Is it easy to drive in Kenya?

Main highways around Nairobi are well-paved and comfortable to drive.
Rural and park entrance roads can be rough, potholed, and unpaved—drive cautiously.
It’s best to avoid night driving due to unlit stretches and potential livestock or pedestrians on the road.