Nairobi / NBO Driver, Car Service, Rental
May 31, 2006, 1:49 pm
#1
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Nairobi / NBO Driver, Car Service, Rental
I've heard many people mention that they hired a private driver to take them around town, etc for the day. Any recommendations & approximate prices? Since we will be at the Hilton, should we just go through them? I guess that crime is that bad that we should not walk around on our own in the city? We are quite adventurous, but after reading multiple posts, I'm a bit more hesitant of going anywhere without a driver. Thanks.
Last edited by JDiver; Nov 17, 2015 at 12:49 pm Reason: Restore original post title
May 31, 2006, 3:39 pm
#2
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We stayed at the Hilton, and hired a driver recommended by the attendant in the executive lounge. That worked out really well for us. I think I posted in a Nairobi Hilton thread the things we saw; had a great time.
At the Hilton, they will be very clear that it is unsafe to walk around outside.
At the Hilton, they will be very clear that it is unsafe to walk around outside.
May 31, 2006, 9:33 pm
#3
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I sort of recall that the cost of a driver for one day around Nairobi (National Park, museum, a bit else) was around US$100-120. I didn't try to haggle the price. This was arranged through the exec lounge concierge.
Actually, the instructions at the Hilton desk (2004) were that you could go to the left, but NOT to turn right out of the hotel under any circumstance. I wouldn't try to wander around the city on my own, which I think was both of y'alls points.
Actually, the instructions at the Hilton desk (2004) were that you could go to the left, but NOT to turn right out of the hotel under any circumstance. I wouldn't try to wander around the city on my own, which I think was both of y'alls points.
Jun 1, 2006, 9:11 am
#4
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Originally Posted by pdhenry
I sort of recall that the cost of a driver for one day around Nairobi (National Park, museum, a bit else) was around US$100-120. I didn't try to haggle the price. This was arranged through the exec lounge concierge.
Actually, the instructions at the Hilton desk (2004) were that you could go to the left, but NOT to turn right out of the hotel under any circumstance. I wouldn't try to wander around the city on my own, which I think was both of y'alls points.
Actually, the instructions at the Hilton desk (2004) were that you could go to the left, but NOT to turn right out of the hotel under any circumstance. I wouldn't try to wander around the city on my own, which I think was both of y'alls points.
Jun 1, 2006, 9:17 am
#5
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I encourage you to read my post on what we paid for a driver for the day ($50). It also has a list of where we went. We had a terrific day.
I simply wouldn't risk finding a taxi at the places you visit. Further, the Karen Blixen House is outside of Nairobi, and the only taxis I saw there were waiting for folks they had driven there.
I simply wouldn't risk finding a taxi at the places you visit. Further, the Karen Blixen House is outside of Nairobi, and the only taxis I saw there were waiting for folks they had driven there.
Jun 1, 2006, 6:02 pm
#7
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Originally Posted by pdhenry
Actually, the instructions at the Hilton desk (2004) were that you could go to the left, but NOT to turn right out of the hotel under any circumstance. I wouldn't try to wander around the city on my own, which I think was both of y'alls points.
Jun 6, 2006, 5:13 am
#8
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Originally Posted by subdawg
Wow, that's quite a bit...but I guess since the driver is waiting for you that would make sense. I'm wondering if it'll be safe if we just get a cab to visit certain places instead of paying for someone to wait for us at each stop. The main places we wanted to visit was the Karen Blixen house and Carnivore. We may not visit Nairobi NP since we will have come back from the Salt Lick. Thanks for the insight!
Jun 6, 2006, 10:28 pm
#9
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Originally Posted by roadwarriorafrica
I live in Nairobi, and have been here for 9 years. I would recommend that you take a Kenatco Taxi from outside the hotel. The doorman can organise this for you. The taxi will have a fixed rate card printed and laminated. The drive from the Hilton to Karen on a weekday is about 1/2 hour. You must go to the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant orphanage. This is only open from 11:00 am for 1 hour, and you must get there by 10:50 am. After that, you can visit other places around Karen. May I suggest the Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum, Kazuri Beads, Matt Bronze. The Carnivore has down a bit. Have fun.
Jun 8, 2006, 12:59 am
#11
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When I was in Nairobi last fall (hoping to be there again this fall, incidentally), my group stayed at the Holiday Inn, and hired a local chap as our driver and "coordinator." He'd come by each morning with the car to pick us up, take us places (he'd go with us as well), run errands, et cetera. He was most helpful. I'm not sure exactly how the deal worked; I think it was sort of renting a car, but with a driver included. Very nice fellow. But that level of service was, I'm sure, somewhat more pricy. I believe they probably spent close to $1000 a week.
(By the way, the restaurant "Peppers" down the street from the Holiday Inn was quite good, in my opinion.)
(By the way, the restaurant "Peppers" down the street from the Holiday Inn was quite good, in my opinion.)
Jun 20, 2011, 9:20 am
#12
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Recommendation for Car Service in Nairobi?
Hello FTers,
My wife and I will land in Nairobi quite late (1:30am-ish), and I'd like to arrange for a car service to pick us up at the airport and take us to our hotel. My experiences in other countries is that these car services are also sometimes willing to provide a day or half-day city tour, which is a service I'd also be interested in given our 3/4 of a day in Nairobi the next day. Finally, I'd use the service for transport from our hotel to the other domestic airport in the city.
I've been fortunate to get great suggestions on FT for companies providing these sorts of services in other countries - hoping you can help me out!
Cheers!
My wife and I will land in Nairobi quite late (1:30am-ish), and I'd like to arrange for a car service to pick us up at the airport and take us to our hotel. My experiences in other countries is that these car services are also sometimes willing to provide a day or half-day city tour, which is a service I'd also be interested in given our 3/4 of a day in Nairobi the next day. Finally, I'd use the service for transport from our hotel to the other domestic airport in the city.
I've been fortunate to get great suggestions on FT for companies providing these sorts of services in other countries - hoping you can help me out!
Cheers!
Jun 21, 2011, 12:09 pm
#15
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My advice is to call them. Email isn't quite fully installed in the culture there. They might respond but not note it correctly, or they might not respond at all.