Safari van hire in Kenya gives your group a game viewing vehicle and a professional driver-guide in one booking. We hire out two kinds of safari van: the Toyota Hiace tour van and the Toyota Land Cruiser safari van. Rates start at KES 20,000 ($200) a day. Every rate also includes fuel, the driver-guide and park fees for the vehicle and driver.
This guide compares the two vans, explains what the price covers and helps you choose the right one for your route. For a quote, call or WhatsApp 0712 004 003 or email [email protected].
What Is a Safari Van?
A safari van is a vehicle built for game viewing rather than for ordinary road travel. For example, its pop-up roof lifts so that you can stand, look out in every direction and take photographs. In addition, it has fewer seats than a normal van, so every passenger gets a window and a clear view of the animals.
Many people ask us for a “private matatu” when they actually need a safari van. The confusion is understandable, because both are often built on a Toyota Hiace and look alike from outside. However, a 14 seater matatu is a road van. For instance, it has more seats, no pop-up roof and two-wheel drive. As a result, it suits airport runs and tarmac transfers, not game drives inside a park.
Safari Van Hire Rates in Kenya
Our rates depend on the van and the season. In both cases, each day runs from 6am to 6pm.
A. Toyota Hiace tour van: KES 20,000 ($200) a day in low season, from November to June. From July to October, it starts from KES 25,000 ($250) a day.
B. Toyota Land Cruiser safari van: KES 35,000 ($350) a day in low season. From July to October, it starts from $350 a day. Within Nairobi, including Nairobi National Park, it costs KES 30,000 ($300) a day.
Both rates include:
1. Fuel.
2. A professional driver-guide.
3. Park fees for the vehicle and the driver-guide.
4. The driver’s allowance and accommodation on overnight trips.
However, your own park entry fees, accommodation, meals and activities are charged separately. After all, park fees depend on the park and on your residency, so we list them on your quote before you pay. Meanwhile, tour vans in July and August go out on a minimum three day package, since most guests are heading to the Masai Mara.
Tour Van or Land Cruiser: Which Safari Van Should You Hire?
Both vans have pop-up roofs and four-wheel drive. Therefore, the choice comes down to your route, your group size and your budget.
First, the tour van carries eight passengers and costs less. It also rides more smoothly on long tarmac transfers. As a result, it suits most trips to the Masai Mara, Amboseli and Nairobi National Park.
Second, the Land Cruiser carries seven passengers. However, it has higher ground clearance and a tougher chassis. Consequently, it is the better choice for Samburu, remote parts of Tsavo and the rough tracks in the Mara conservancies. So, tell us your route, and we will recommend the right van before you book.
Safari Van Hire for Bigger Groups
In general, a single safari van takes up to eight passengers. For a bigger group, we send two or more vans, so that everyone keeps a window seat and a clear view. In addition, your guides stay in touch with each other throughout the game drive.
For road transfers only, a 14 seater van or a 22 seater bus costs less per person. However, these are road vehicles, so we do not use them for game drives inside the parks.
Where You Can Go with a Safari Van
Most of our safari van bookings start in Nairobi and head to one of these parks:
1. The Masai Mara, for the big cats all year and the wildebeest migration from about July to October. See our Masai Mara safari packages.
2. Amboseli, for large elephant herds and views of Mount Kilimanjaro. See our Amboseli safari packages.
3. Tsavo East and Tsavo West, which together form Kenya’s largest protected area. See our Tsavo safari packages.
4. Samburu, in the dry north, where the Land Cruiser is the better van. See our Samburu safari packages.
5. Nairobi National Park, for a half or full day game drive on the edge of the city. See our Nairobi park tour van hire.
Your Safari Van Comes with a Driver-Guide
Every safari van comes with a professional driver-guide. Above all, your guide knows the parks, reads animal behaviour and positions the van so that you get the best view. Furthermore, safari vans are licensed as tourist service vehicles, so we do not offer them for self drive. If you would rather drive yourself, ask us about our self drive cars instead.
How to Book Safari Van Hire in Kenya
1. Send us your parks, your dates and the number of people travelling.
2. We recommend the right van and send a quote that lists the park fees.
3. You pay a 30% commitment fee to confirm the van.
4. Your driver-guide collects you from your hotel or from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on the first morning.
Finally, book early for July to October and for the December holidays, because safari vans are our most requested vehicles in those months.
Frequently Asked Questions about Safari Van Hire in Kenya
How much does it cost to hire a safari van in Kenya?
Safari van hire in Kenya starts at KES 20,000 ($200) a day for a Toyota Hiace tour van in low season, from November to June. A Toyota Land Cruiser safari van costs KES 35,000 ($350) a day. From July to October, rates start from KES 25,000 ($250) and $350. Every rate includes fuel, the driver-guide and park fees for the vehicle and driver.
What is the difference between a safari van and a 14 seater matatu?
Both are often built on a Toyota Hiace, so they look alike from outside. However, a safari van has a pop-up roof, fewer and roomier seats and a driver-guide, and it is built for game drives. A 14 seater matatu is a road van with more seats, no pop-up roof and two-wheel drive, so it suits tarmac transfers only.
How many people fit in a safari van?
A Toyota Hiace tour van seats eight passengers plus the driver-guide. A Land Cruiser safari van seats seven plus the guide. For bigger groups, we send two or more vans so that everyone keeps a window seat.
Which is better for a safari, a tour van or a Land Cruiser?
The tour van suits most trips to the Masai Mara, Amboseli and Nairobi National Park, and it costs less. The Land Cruiser is better for Samburu, remote parts of Tsavo and rough conservancy tracks. Send us your route and we will recommend one.
Are park entry fees included in safari van hire?
Park fees for the vehicle and the driver-guide are included. Your own park entry fees are charged separately, because they depend on the park and on your residency. We list them on your quote before you book.
Can I drive a safari van myself?
No. Safari vans are licensed as tourist service vehicles, so they always come with a professional driver-guide. If you want to drive yourself, ask us about our self drive cars instead.
Can I hire a safari van for Nairobi National Park?
Yes. A tour van suits a half day or full day game drive in Nairobi National Park, just outside the city centre. See our Nairobi park tour van hire page for the details.
Book Safari Van Hire in Kenya with Bamm Tours
Tell us where you want to go, when and how many of you are travelling. We will then recommend the right safari van and send you a full quote. Call or WhatsApp 0712 004 003, 0754 004 003 or 0743 142 615. Alternatively, email [email protected] or request a quote online.
