Planning a wedding, church trip or team building for up to 14 people? A 14 seater matatu for hire keeps everyone in one vehicle, with one driver and one bill. At Bamm Tours, we offer the Toyota Hiace 14 seater and the Nissan matatu van. Both cost KES 20,000 ($200) a day within Nairobi. In addition, the rate includes fuel within Nairobi and a professional chauffeur.
However, people search for this vehicle in different ways. Some call it a 14 seater van, while others say a matatu, a minibus or a private van. Here, they all mean the same thing: a private van for your group alone. So this guide covers the rates, what is included, which size suits your group and how to book.
14 Seater Van and Matatu Hire Rates in Nairobi
Our rates follow the 14 seater listings on our site. That way, the price you read here matches the price we quote.
A. Toyota Hiace 14 seater: KES 20,000 ($200) per day within Nairobi, with fuel and chauffeur included.
B. Nissan matatu van: KES 20,000 ($200) per day within Nairobi, with fuel and chauffeur included.
C. One way transfer between JKIA or the SGR and a Nairobi CBD hotel: KES 10,000 ($100), fuelled and chauffeured.
D. Hire from our branch towns: from KES 20,000 per day.
E. Trips from Nairobi to other towns or across the border: quoted on request, based on the distance, the route and the number of days.
F. Monthly hire: quoted on request.
A hire day runs from 6am to 6pm. If your event starts earlier or ends later, tell us when you enquire. We will then build the extra hours into your quote, so nothing surprises you on the day. For other sizes, see our guide to the cost of hiring a bus for a day.
What the Day Rate Includes
1. The van for the full day, from 6am to 6pm.
2. Fuel for driving within Nairobi.
3. A professional chauffeur, including the driver allowance.
Every booking is chauffeured, so we do not release these vans for self drive. Overnight and upcountry trips are priced separately. Therefore, ask us what your quote covers before you confirm.
Toyota Hiace or Nissan Matatu Van?
Both vans seat 14 passengers and cost the same, so the choice rarely changes your budget. Instead, it usually comes down to which van is free on your date. The Hiace is an automatic, while the Nissan is a manual. Since a chauffeur does the driving, that difference rarely matters to your group.
All our 14 seater vans have air conditioning, reclining seats and enough legroom for everyone. They also have a high roof, so there is plenty of headroom. In addition, a rooftop carrier takes your extra luggage. For more on the Toyota, read our guide to Toyota Hiace hire in Kenya.
Choosing the Right Van Size for Your Group
Above all, the right size saves money and keeps everyone comfortable. As a simple guide:
1. Up to 7 passengers: a 7 seater van.
2. From 9 to 14 passengers: a 14 seater van.
3. From 15 to 22 passengers: a 22 seater bus, at KES 22,000 a day within Nairobi.
4. Larger groups: a 33 seater, 44 seater or 50 seater bus.
We do not list a separate 10 seater or 12 seater van. So if you are 10, 12 or 13 people, the 14 seater is the right van at the same rate. Meanwhile, the 8 seater Hiace tour van is built for safaris and costs the same in low season.
Two vans are not always the best answer either. For example, two 14 seater vans cost KES 40,000 a day within Nairobi, while one 22 seater bus costs KES 22,000. On the other hand, several vans can work well when your group needs to split across different routes.
Who Hires a 14 Seater Matatu?
For the most part, our 14 seater bookings fall into a few groups.
1. Weddings and ruracio ceremonies, to move the bridal party or family. See our wedding car hire options for the couple’s car.
2. Burials and funerals, so that family and friends travel together.
3. Companies, for team building and staff transport. Many of our corporate clients also book corporate car hire for their executives.
4. Churches, for services, conferences and choir trips. Our guide to church vans and buses for hire covers this in detail.
5. Schools and youth groups, for academic trips and sports days.
6. Airport groups, using our airport transfers.
7. Families on holiday, using our family car hire.
A 14 seater van also works as the road transfer on a group safari. However, game drives inside the park need a pop-up roof, which this van does not have. For that part of the trip, see our safari van hire options.
Looking for a matatu ride as an experience rather than transport? In that case, our sister company runs matatu tours with Baecation Adventures.
14 Seater Matatu for Hire Outside Nairobi
We also arrange 14 seater vans from our branches in Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu and Nanyuki. Hire from these towns starts from KES 20,000 a day. For local details, see our pages on car hire in Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu and Nanyuki.
At the coast, we can meet your group at Moi International Airport or SGR Miritini. We then take everyone to Diani, Kilifi, Watamu or your hotel. For more, read our guide to 14 seater vans in Mombasa.
Meanwhile, we quote upcountry trips on request. In general, the price depends on the distance, the number of days and where the van stays overnight. So send us your route, and we will come back with a firm quote.
Cross Border Trips with a 14 Seater Van
We also offer cross border transport to Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda, among other countries. In addition, we handle the paperwork and quote each trip on request. Please give us at least two weeks notice for any cross border trip.
Monthly 14 Seater Van Hire
Additionally, some organisations need a van for weeks or months, for example to move staff every day. We quote this monthly hire on request, and you pay a full month in advance. For more on how this works, see long term car rental in Nairobi and car leasing in Kenya.
How to Book a 14 Seater Van for Hire
1. Send us your date, pickup point, route and number of passengers.
2. We confirm the available van and send your quote.
3. Pay the 30% commitment fee to secure the van. Our payment page shows how to pay.
4. Your chauffeur meets your group at the agreed pickup point and time.
Weekends, December and the wedding season book up first. As a result, it pays to enquire as soon as your date is firm. You can also request a quote online.
Frequently Asked Questions about 14 Seater Matatu for Hire in Kenya
How much does it cost to hire a 14 seater matatu in Nairobi?
A 14 seater matatu costs KES 20,000 ($200) per day within Nairobi. The day runs from 6am to 6pm. In addition, the rate covers fuel within Nairobi and a professional chauffeur. A one way airport or SGR transfer costs KES 10,000 ($100). Trips outside Nairobi are quoted on request.
Is a 14 seater van the same as a matatu?
In most cases, yes. Many Kenyans call any 14 seater van a matatu. However, our vans are private hires. So your group has the van to itself, with your own driver and your own route.
Can I hire a 14 seater van without a driver?
No. We hire out our 14 seater vans with a professional chauffeur only, so there is no self drive option. If you prefer to drive, see our self drive car hire options instead.
Is fuel included in the price?
Yes, for driving within Nairobi. The day rate covers fuel, the van and the chauffeur. However, overnight and upcountry trips are priced separately. Therefore, ask us what your quote covers before you confirm.
Do you have a 10 seater van for hire?
We do not list a separate 10 seater or 12 seater van. Instead, a group of 9 to 14 people travels in a 14 seater van at the same day rate. As a result, your group also gets extra room for luggage.
Can I hire several vans for a large group?
Yes. We can send several 14 seater vans to one event. However, one bus often costs less. For example, two vans cost KES 40,000 a day within Nairobi, while one 22 seater bus costs KES 22,000.
Can I hire a 14 seater matatu outside Nairobi?
Yes. We arrange these vans from our branches in Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu and Nanyuki, from KES 20,000 a day. We also take groups upcountry from Nairobi. These longer trips are quoted on request, based on the route and the number of days.
Can I hire a 14 seater van for a trip to Tanzania, Uganda or Rwanda?
Yes. We offer cross border transport to Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda, among other countries. We also handle the paperwork. These trips are quoted on request, so please give us at least two weeks notice.
Can I use a 14 seater van for a safari?
Yes, for the road transfer to the park or the lodge. However, this van has no pop-up roof, so it does not suit game drives. For that part of the trip, we arrange a tour van or a Land Cruiser.
Are your 14 seater vans insured?
Yes. Every van carries comprehensive insurance and a valid licence. For more detail, see our insurance and safety page.
How far in advance should I book?
Book as soon as your date is firm. Weekends, December and the wedding season fill up first. So early booking gives you the best choice of van. Still, call us for a last minute trip, and we will check what is free.
Book a 14 Seater Matatu for Hire in Kenya
Ready to move your group? Call, SMS or WhatsApp us on +254 712 004 003, +254 754 004 003 or +254 743 142 615. Alternatively, email your trip details to [email protected].
