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Drive-yourself safari in Kenya?

by Arthur G. Martin
(Augusta, Maine)


The wife and I plan on visiting Kenya and will be renting a vehicle to drive to Tanzania. On our way through, we would like to visit some national parks.

We prefer to travel by ourselves. We are looking for information on drive yourself safaris.

Do the National Parks have maps and lodging information at their entrances? Many thanks for your help.

Comments for
Drive-yourself safari in Kenya?

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Nov 03, 2010
 Self drive safaris
by: Caroline

Hi Arthur,
My name is Carol a tour consultant and a Kenyan. It is not possible for you to self drive yourself in parks as the parks are vast and you need guidance in and out.
Oct 22, 2010
 Attention Maineart re: Drive yourself safaris
by: Pete

I have just read all your comments about driving yourself around Kenya and Tanzania and wondered whether you have been on your experience yet Maineart?. If so how was it and would you recommend others for 'driving yourself' around Kenya and Tanzania?
Apr 12, 2010
 Drive-yourself safari in Kenya?
by: Maineart

I would like to thank Irene, John and Archie for the for there commenst on Drive-yourself safari in Kenya. I appreciate all the information and cautions you gave me. It's quite hard to get lost with today's technology. GPS with a redundant backup and you will always know where you are. With a little research I found several vehicle rental companies with clearance to cross into Tanzania. They also have free Satellite Phones to use for any problems you have. I was in contact with the National Parks and was told private vehicles are very welcomed. Google earth has a great way to get copies of any maps from most anywhere on earth including Kenya. This isn't our first adventure abroad. Understandably, this is not for the meek also. Thanks again.
Maineart
Apr 08, 2010
 Your Safari
by: Archie Melrose

Arthur, thanks so much for your mail and I totally agree with John and Irene.

I can understand the freedom of movement in the USA when it comes to parks and maps, but believe me its not the same in Kenya. Perhaps one day that will change but from personal experience if you go alone then you risk the chance of being stuck in the middle of nowhere, no cellphone signal, and if you havent packed food and water then you run the risk of a long wait for the next 4x4 happening by.

There are many good safari companies with good guides and they know their stuff. Personally I am like you and love to do my own thing, but caution is better in Kenya.

Good Travels

Archie
Apr 03, 2010
 Drive Yourself Safari ?
by: John Lambert

Hi Arthur,

I like 'do it myself' too, however in this instance I'm going to agree with everything Irene has said.

National Parks in Africa are not like they are in the US. Yes, you can rent a vehicle, however check and see if you can take it into Tanzania.
and do Diligent research.

What do you want your Experience to be?
(What you Get, Not what you Plan or Intend)

Compare and contrast the number of days you want to spend with the cost of a mid range safari operator.
where you also have meals and a guide.

You can check this site and correspond with them.
http://www.toughtracks4x4hire.com/index.html

Hope this helps

Best Regards,
John
Apr 03, 2010
 self driving safari in Kenya
by: Irene O.

It is possible to hire a safari vehicle in Kenya but it is not possible to drive to Tanzania with any car, this totally depends how the car is covered. ( depending what kind of documents the car has)

I must tell you to drive in a park is not that easy as it looks like. If you have no idea about how the park is, you can easily get lost. There are in each park lodges, but I recommended to some research on the internet and book the lodge of your choice in advance. There are seasons whereby the lodges are fully booked and you dont want to be disappointed. Also considder to book the lodge with an agent as tourists are charged tourist prices in the lodges..

There are no maps or brochures at the entrance. Although the parks dont have many roads you can get lost and believe me you dont want to be stucked in the darkness with lions around...

To drive to the parks and within the parks is possible..but think twice if you really want to do that. Some tourists are only busy finding out where the animals are then seeing them.... Professional driver-guides know where the animals are and in touch with each other to inform each other so that the chances of seeing the lions, the cheetah's are bigger...

But if you prefer to drive yourself, be carefull and get well prepared. Have a great trip.

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