Car Hire Nairobi – The Complete Guide to Car Rental in Kenya
Booking & How It Works
How do I book a car with Riderentals?
Booking a car with Riderentals is simple and can be done in three ways:
• Online: Visit
www.riderentals.co and complete the hire request form with your contact details, pickup location, dates, destination, and vehicle type.
• WhatsApp or Phone: Contact
0714 877 948 for quick same-day bookings.
• Email: Send your request to
customerservice@riderentals.co for formal or corporate bookings.
Once your request is submitted, confirmation is sent via WhatsApp or email together with the vehicle details.
How quickly can I get a car after booking?
Within Nairobi, Riderentals delivers vehicles in an average of 49 minutes. For urgent bookings, contacting the team via WhatsApp or phone is recommended.
Can I book a car in advance?
Yes. Advance bookings are highly recommended to guarantee vehicle availability, especially during:
• Public holidays
• School holidays
• December festive season
• Safari peak season (July–October)
Booking in advance carries no extra charge.
What is the minimum rental period?
The minimum rental period for
self-drive vehicles is 24 hours.
For
chauffeur-driven services, hourly bookings are available for short city trips or airport transfers.
Can I extend my rental during the hire period?
Yes. Contact Riderentals via WhatsApp or phone to extend your rental. Extensions are processed subject to vehicle availability and the additional cost is prorated.
What happens if I need to cancel my booking?
Cancellations should be communicated as early as possible via WhatsApp or phone. Cancellation terms depend on how far in advance the cancellation is made and the vehicle category booked.
2. Pricing, Rates & Payment
How much does it cost to rent a car in Kenya?
Car rental prices vary depending on vehicle type and duration. Typical daily starting rates include:
• Economy cars: from
KES 3,840 per day
• Mid-range sedans: from
KES 4,500 per day
• Executive sedans: from
KES 6,500 per day
• 7-seater MPVs: from
KES 6,500 – 7,500 per day
• Mid-size SUVs: from
KES 7,800 per day
• Premium SUVs (Prado, Land Cruiser): from
KES 15,000 per day
Discounts apply for multi-day bookings.
Are there hidden charges when renting a car?
Riderentals operates a transparent pricing policy with no hidden charges. However, additional costs may apply for:
• Refundable security deposit
• Driver fees for chauffeur service
• Delivery outside Nairobi or Mombasa
• Cross-border permits
• Fuel policy adjustments
What payment methods are accepted?
Riderentals accepts:
•
M-Pesa payments
•
Bank transfers
•
Card payments
Corporate clients can also arrange invoiced payments with credit terms.
Are monthly rental packages available?
Yes. Monthly rentals are available and popular with:
• Diaspora visitors
• NGO staff
• Corporate consultants
• Expatriates on long assignments
Monthly packages come with significant discounts compared to daily rates.
Is there a security deposit?
Yes. Most vehicles require a refundable security deposit. The amount depends on the vehicle category and is refunded once the vehicle is returned in good condition.
3. Documents & Eligibility
What documents do I need to rent a car in Kenya?
For Kenyan residents:
• National ID
• Valid driving licence
• Signed rental agreement
• Security deposit
For foreign visitors:
• Passport
• Foreign driving licence
• International Driving Permit (recommended)
• Signed rental agreement
• Security deposit
For chauffeur-driven rentals:
• Passport or ID only
What is the minimum age to rent a car?
The typical minimum age is 23–25 years, with at least 1–2 years of driving experience. Luxury vehicles may require stricter criteria.
Do foreigners need an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended for foreign visitors renting a car for self-drive.
Why might a car rental booking be rejected?
Common reasons include:
• Expired driving licence
• Name mismatch between licence and ID
• No International Driving Permit for foreign drivers
• Driver below minimum age
• Insufficient driving experience
• Failure to pay the required deposit
4. Fleet & Vehicle Selection
What types of vehicles does Riderentals offer?
Riderentals provides a wide range of vehicles including:
• Economy cars (Mazda Demio, Honda Fit)
• Sedans (Toyota Axio, Premio, Fielder)
• Executive cars (Mark X, Crown, Mercedes)
• MPVs (Toyota Noah, Voxy)
• SUVs (RAV4, X-Trail, CX-5)
• Premium SUVs (Prado, Land Cruiser)
• Tour vans and safari vehicles
• Pickup trucks
• Electric vehicles
• Motorbikes and bicycles
• Wheelchair-accessible vehicles
What car is best for a family trip?
Popular family vehicles include:
•
Toyota Noah / Voxy – spacious and fuel efficient
•
Mazda CX-5 – comfortable for long drives
•
Nissan X-Trail – versatile SUV
•
Toyota Prado – ideal for safaris and long trips
Are Riderentals vehicles well maintained?
Yes. Vehicles are regularly serviced, cleaned, and mechanically inspected. All vehicles are equipped with GPS tracking and immobilizers.
Can I rent an electric vehicle in Kenya?
Yes. Riderentals offers electric vehicles starting from about KES 12,000 per day, suitable mainly for city driving in Nairobi.
Is unlimited mileage offered?
Many rentals include unlimited mileage within Kenya, but this may vary depending on the vehicle category.
5. Self-Drive vs Chauffeur-Driven
What is the difference between self-drive and chauffeur hire?
Self-drive:
• You drive the vehicle
• Requires a licence and deposit
• More flexible and lower cost
Chauffeur-driven:
• Professional driver provided
• Only ID required
• Ideal for visitors, executives, and events
Are Riderentals drivers professional?
Yes. Drivers are:
• Background-checked
• Licensed and experienced
• Customer-service trained
• Familiar with major Kenyan routes
Can I switch from self-drive to chauffeur service?
Yes. You can request a driver during your rental period, subject to availability.
6. Airport Transfers & Delivery
Does Riderentals provide airport car hire?
Yes. Vehicles can be delivered at:
•
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)
•
Wilson Airport
Providing your flight number helps the driver track arrival times.
Is car delivery free?
Delivery is free within Nairobi. Delivery outside Nairobi or Mombasa may attract a fee.
Can the car be delivered to my hotel or home?
Yes. Riderentals provides door-to-door delivery to hotels, Airbnb locations, offices, or residences.
7. Safari & Road Trips
What car is best for safari travel?
Recommended vehicles include:
•
Toyota Land Cruiser
•
Toyota Prado
•
Nissan X-Trail
•
RAV4
•
Safari vans with pop-up roofs
2WD sedans are generally not suitable for national park travel.
What are popular road trips from Nairobi?
• Nairobi to Naivasha – 90 km
• Nairobi to Nakuru – 156 km
• Nairobi to Nanyuki – 200 km
• Nairobi to Maasai Mara – 270 km
• Nairobi to Amboseli – 240 km
• Nairobi to Mombasa – 480 km
Can rental cars cross borders?
Yes, but only with advance approval and additional permits.
8. Corporate & Group Rentals
Does Riderentals offer corporate car hire?
Yes. Services include:
• Executive chauffeur services
• Staff shuttle transport
• Long-term fleet rentals
• Airport transfers for executives
• Corporate invoicing
Can I hire multiple vehicles for events?
Yes. Riderentals can provide multi-vehicle fleets for conferences, weddings, team-building events, and tours.
9. International Travelers
Can foreigners self-drive in Kenya?
Yes. Foreign visitors can drive with a valid foreign licence and an International Driving Permit for up to three months.
What should foreigners know about driving in Kenya?
• Drive on the
left side of the road
• Speed limits vary between
50–110 km/h
• Traffic congestion is common in Nairobi
• Police checkpoints are common
• Avoid night driving in rural areas
10. Insurance & Safety
Is insurance included?
Yes. All vehicles are covered by comprehensive insurance, subject to an excess liability stated in the rental agreement.
What happens if the car breaks down?
Contact Riderentals immediately and the team will arrange:
• Roadside assistance
• Vehicle replacement
• Recovery and towing
What should I do if I am involved in an accident?
- Ensure safety first
- Contact police (999 or 112)
- Inform Riderentals immediately
- Take photos of the scene
- Obtain a police abstract
11. Weddings & Special Events
Does Riderentals provide wedding car hire?
Yes. Popular wedding vehicles include:
• Mercedes Benz
• Range Rover
• BMW
• Audi
• Toyota Prado
• Toyota Alphard
Can I hire a limousine?
Yes. Chauffeur-driven limousine services are available for weddings and VIP events.
12. Wheelchair-Accessible Transport
Does Riderentals provide wheelchair-accessible vehicles?
Yes. These vehicles include:
• Ramp or lift access
• Wheelchair restraint systems
• Spacious interiors
• Trained drivers
Is medical transport available?
Yes. Services include:
• Dialysis transport
• Post-surgery hospital transfers
• Long-distance medical travel
13. Earn by Listing Your Car
Can I list my car on Riderentals?
Yes. Riderentals operates a marketplace platform where vehicle owners can earn passive income by listing their cars.
What cars qualify for listing?
Vehicles must:
• Be in good mechanical condition
• Be comprehensively insured
• Have valid registration documents
• Be clean and presentable
• Have GPS tracking installed
14. Saving Money on Car Hire
How can I get the best car hire deal?
• Book
48–72 hours in advance
• Choose
weekly or monthly packages
• Use
self-drive instead of chauffeur service
• Select
fuel-efficient vehicles
• Avoid
peak travel seasons
Why choose Riderentals?
• 169+ vehicle fleet
• Fast delivery within Nairobi
• Transparent pricing
• GPS-tracked vehicles
• WhatsApp-first support
• Accessible transport options
• Trusted by 9,000+ customers
