Travel Hints and Tips for Kenya

Overlanding in Kenya: All of Africa in One Place

Kenya is a dream destination for overlanders, a country of vast savannas, rugged landscapes, and breathtaking reserves. Whether you’re navigating the Great Rift Valley, traversing the arid northern frontier, or exploring the dense forests of the Aberdares, overlanding in Kenya offers an unforgettable journey. Kenya’s diverse ecological gamut makes it perfect for overlanding. From maintained highways to challenging off-roading trails, the country caters to both novice and experienced adventurers. The most popular overlanding is, of course, driving through world-famous parks like the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and Tsavo, where lions, elephants, and giraffes freely roam. There is the Great Rift Valley and Chalbi Desert to boot.

The intrepid driver in Kenya can get a saloon car through conditions that make the rookie blanch. But no matter how skilled they are, or how much damage one is prepared to inflict on the vehicle, vast areas of Kenya will be simply out of reach – unless one has a fully-fledged four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle. And no real off-roader can manage without one, and once the 4WD capability is availed, whole new vistas of a wild and wonderful country are opened up. But beware, A 4WD car is not a magic carpet! It is a sturdy, expensive, fuel-guzzling beast that is slow and subject to the same forces of gravity as any other vehicle. It has limits, too.

Just the same, it is fair to say that apart from their versatility – the ability to climb steeper slopes, ford deeper rivers, hurdle larger rocks and plough through thicker mud – the 4WD vehicle is worse off than the 2WD in virtually every respect. So unless you are really willing to utilize its capability, save your money (and your posterior) and stick to a robust 2WD car for most safaris. For every bit you gain in versatility you lose a bit somewhere else – lower speed, higher fuel consumption, appreciable discomfort and higher buying price. Yet, the most important point to remember for newbies to 4WD is to realize that 4WDs are specialized vehicles. They are hard, tough, ponderous creatures and need to be treated accordingly.

Their gearboxes are not designed for quick sporty changes. Their wheels and suspension are like those of a truck, and not designed for high speed cornering. It is also important to note that just as a 4WD will get you out of a lot trouble. An ordinary car will get hopelessly stuck before you get too deep to walk out, or too far away from help. By contrast, the 4WD car will keep going until you are in so deep that you cannot walk out. It will lure you a long way off the beaten track, a long way from help – in remotest Africa. The dividing line between adventure and disaster gets very narrow indeed – fast. You can broaden this again with sensible preparations, precautions, a responsible attitude, and leaving margins for error.

Driving a 4WD vehicle to its full capabilities is no less an art than driving a race car. It’s different from ordinary motoring, and requires practice and experience. A couple of points will set the newcomer off to a rather good start. The 4WD vehicle is basically a personal truck. Drive it with the same deliberation. Most 4WDs have their handbrake attacked to the prop shaft, not to the wheels. It is essential that the vehicle be brought to a complete halt before the handbrake is applied. When driving over very rough ground, the steering might jerk suddenly, and if you have wrapped your thumbs around the steering wheel rim you could but break them.

Grip the steering firmly with your fingers, with your thumbs pressed against the face of the wheel. Many people seem to consider it a failure if they engage four-wheel-drive before it is absolutely necessary to avoid getting mud-stuck. This is nonsense. 4WD should be engaged as soon as it will benefit the vehicle’s handling or performance, and, of course, disengaged as soon as that benefit ceases to be a benefit. For example, on a slippery mud patch where there is danger of getting physically stuck, 4WD will reduce the chances of skidding and make the vehicle easier to control. Over very rocky ground which the vehicle will cross with jolts and bangs at speed, low ratio gives the driver the control and power to progress gently sparing the suspension and the engine from unnecessary torque strain.

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A Few More Hints Before Overlanding

Obvious perhaps, but apt to be overlooked, keep the vehicle in good condition, service frequently, check and double check key points. Concentrate on essentials before you indulge in the luxury of frills: a basically sound engine and suspension; a well maintained cooling system; and first class heavy duty tyres with at least two spare tyres and/or the equipment to repair punctures yourself. You must also have a complete toolkit (box), a selection of spare parts and a mechanical manual on the vehicle if you can get one, whether you are a competent mechanic or not.

Always have a margin for error or emergency. Take at least one-and-a-half times as much as you think you will buy, by way of water, petrol and food. Those are three essentials that will keep you alive and get you home. Always let people know that you are heading off into the wild blue yonder. Tell them what route you plan to take and when you plan to get back. Then if you get into trouble on the way, there will atleast be somebody with adequate information to act swiftly in arranging your rescue. Carry a manual log of contacts incase of any emergency.

Gone To Kenya

Welcome to your go-to guide for traveling in Kenya! It is an amazing destination – whether you’re on safari, relaxing on the beach, exploring the counties, cities, or little known gems. With the right information, it’s a memorable place. These tips and insider advice will help you make the most of your trip. From motoring, visa requirements and health precautions to camping list, safari starter pack, and local etiquette, we’ve got you covered. Enjoy your trip! “Hakuna Matata” (No worries)!