Safari self drive - rent Mitsubishi ASX or Toyota Prado?

[Asanoth]

Alternatively take the platinum no holds barred insurance and treat us with a nice trip report!

Actually, since I am looking at smaller rental companies and not international chains, I calculate the price of the car always with excess included. If they do not charge me later, the better.

To keep the discussion running, do you have any comments regarding the following companies? (I read the Ortelius' topic)

Cabiz: ASX (2010), Vanguard (2012), Outlander (2015)
- explicitely stated that the ASX is enough for our itinerary including game drives
- they seem to have some fake reviews, but not many, I am not sure.

Hire'n'Drive: Xtrail/Outlander/RAV4
- Good reviews on tripadvisor and google, seem legit
- explicitely stated this vehicle is ok for our itinerary including game drives

Chequered flag: Prado LC120
- They do not allow their vehicles for game drives, after some discussion allowed with LC and later with Prado
- Good reviews, no fake reviews, seem very legit

Umbrella car hire: Xtrail, Prado
- They have a lot of fake reviews, I am not really considering them: The legit reviews seem mostly positive, though
- They explicitely stated that Xtrail is ok for our purpose
- Also have rather well priced Prado on offer
- This review is particularly funny https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attractio...R-Nairobi.html


I also contacted other companies, but I am not really considering them anymore:
Concorde - offered Pajero IO with comments, or Pajero 2010 or so without boudaries; rather expensive given the km range
Kenya Car Hire - offered only Nissan Double Cab (not sure what it is)
Market car hire - offerd only Prado, very large excess
Reliable vehicle rental - Lots of fake reviews, RAV4
Sunrays - Rav4/Escudo/Xtrail - 2000 USD excess, not doing that. It seemed courious to, that they grade/price Vitara/Escudo same as Xtrail/Rav4, but maybe that makes sense.

Maybe a score of other did not get back to me.

[Graham]

But Hangon a second, am I understanding right that we’re talking about 13 year old rental cars here? I think this needs to be reconsidered - you’re spending (I assume) a fortune on travel and accommodation for this trip. Why jeopardise it with a buggered (because it 100% will be!) rental car?

[JJJ]

Local 4x4 rental companies like Bushlore, sell their vehicles off to the public after 3 years.

So I agree with Graham, you're rent-a-dent ing here.

[Wazungu Wawili]

Actually, since I am looking at smaller rental companies and not international chains, I calculate the price of the car always with excess included. If they do not charge me later, the better.

To keep the discussion running, do you have any comments regarding the following companies? (I read the Ortelius' topic)

Cabiz: ASX (2010), Vanguard (2012), Outlander (2015)
- explicitely stated that the ASX is enough for our itinerary including game drives
- they seem to have some fake reviews, but not many, I am not sure.

Hire'n'Drive: Xtrail/Outlander/RAV4
- Good reviews on tripadvisor and google, seem legit
- explicitely stated this vehicle is ok for our itinerary including game drives

Chequered flag: Prado LC120
- They do not allow their vehicles for game drives, after some discussion allowed with LC and later with Prado
- Good reviews, no fake reviews, seem very legit

Umbrella car hire: Xtrail, Prado
- They have a lot of fake reviews, I am not really considering them: The legit reviews seem mostly positive, though
- They explicitely stated that Xtrail is ok for our purpose
- Also have rather well priced Prado on offer
- This review is particularly funny https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attractio...R-Nairobi.html


I also contacted other companies, but I am not really considering them anymore:
Concorde - offered Pajero IO with comments, or Pajero 2010 or so without boudaries; rather expensive given the km range
Kenya Car Hire - offered only Nissan Double Cab (not sure what it is)
Market car hire - offerd only Prado, very large excess
Reliable vehicle rental - Lots of fake reviews, RAV4
Sunrays - Rav4/Escudo/Xtrail - 2000 USD excess, not doing that. It seemed courious to, that they grade/price Vitara/Escudo same as Xtrail/Rav4, but maybe that makes sense.

Maybe a score of other did not get back to me.

To give you some background, I am Kenyan born and bred and regularly visit my family in Kenya. I have just returned from an extended visit.

As I have said before on this forum, there are only a few legitimate and reliable companies who rent out vehicles for visits to parks and reserves.

These are:

Sunworld Safaris
Road Trip Kenya

https://www.intu4x4.com/4x4-rentals/
https://www.blackleopard4x4hire.com/

Many of the other companies you have found on the internet may be legitimate, but do they have all the correct licensing etc? I have my doubts about some of them. Be aware, be very aware of scams.

However, I do know Chequered Flag (if it is the same company in Karen, Nairobi). I am surprised they rent out vehicles. They are mostly a well-known garage.

[daudi]

I don't know if you already hired your vehicle, but we work a lot with Kenya Unravelled. They have 2022 Toyota Hilux both camping equipped and non-camping: Kenya Unravelled – Kenya Unravelled Our clients are always happy and the vehicles are super reliable. They might be more expensive than other companies though.

Cheers