Front and side view
Travelling as a group? Our Toyota Hiace safari van keeps everyone together on the road, with space for the whole party and their bags. It is the practical way to take a family, a church group or a team of friends on a road trip from Nairobi to the lakes, the Rift Valley or upcountry.
One van, the whole group
Splitting a group between two or three cars means more drivers, more fuel and more waiting at every stop. A Hiace keeps everyone in one vehicle, with room for luggage, cool boxes and shopping for the trip. It is the classic Kenyan touring van, and a reliable, comfortable way to cover long distances together.
A touring van, not a game-drive vehicle
Please note: the Hiace safari van can't be taken on safari game drives, and it stays on paved roads. The only car in our fleet allowed on game drives is our Land Cruiser Safari. If your group is heading to the Maasai Mara or another park, you can drive the Hiace to your lodge or camp on the tarmac and join game drives there in the lodge's own vehicles, or hire the Land Cruiser Safari for the game drives themselves. Tell us your plans when you book and we'll help you work out the best combination.
Where groups take it
- A weekend at Lake Naivasha, about 90 to 100 kilometres (55 to 60 miles) from Nairobi, usually 2 to 2.5 hours on the road.
- Nakuru, about 160 kilometres (100 miles) away, for the town and the lake shore hotels.
- Family visits and ruracio (dowry) ceremonies upcountry, where the whole family needs to arrive together.
- Church, school and team retreats at conference centres outside Nairobi.
- Wedding guests travelling from Nairobi to a venue out of town.
Our road trips from Nairobi guide covers routes, drive times and the current roadworks on the Nakuru highway. Tell us your destination when you book so we can confirm the route.
Seats, luggage and fit-out
Seating layouts differ between versions, so tell us how many people are travelling and how much luggage you have, and we will confirm the seats and fit-out of the van available for your dates.
With a driver or self-drive
Most groups book the Hiace with one of our drivers, so everyone can relax and enjoy the view. Our chauffeurs are professional, vetted, long-term members of our team who know Kenya's roads.
Drive it yourself, or add one of our vetted chauffeurs.
If you drive it yourself, you need to be 25 or over with a valid licence that covers a vehicle of this size. Send us a copy of your licence when you book and we will confirm.
Airport group transfers
Arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as a group? Share your flight details and we track your flight, so the van and driver are waiting at arrivals and everyone travels into town together.
See how to book. For a smaller group, compare it with the Toyota Hiace van or the Toyota Alphard; for a large party, the Toyota Coaster.
What the Toyota Hiace Safari Van costs for a real trip
All in, self-drive: the daily rate, delivery and collection in Nairobi (JKIA included), the cleaning and service fee, and VAT at 16%. Fuel is extra, and you return the car with the same fuel level.
| Hire | Total, VAT included |
|---|---|
| 3 days | KES 92,220 ≈ $711 USD / £537 GBP / €634 EUR |
| 7 days | KES 210,540 ≈ $1,622 USD / £1,227 GBP / €1,448 EUR |
| 14 days | KES 417,600 ≈ $3,218 USD / £2,433 GBP / €2,871 EUR |
The refundable security deposit is on top, and is refunded immediately after the return handover inspection.
With every Urban Escape car
A 2019 model or newer, serviced and cleaned before each hire, with comprehensive insurance, unlimited mileage, GPS tracking, 24/7 help and a replacement car if the car has a manufacturer (mechanical) issue. Add a vetted chauffeur for KES 4,000 a day in Nairobi or KES 5,000 outside. Cars stay in Kenya and on paved roads; only our Land Cruiser Safari goes on game drives. Pay a refundable reservation deposit within 2 hours of booking (we send a card payment link, or M-Pesa details by WhatsApp, phone or email), then the balance when you see the car, by M-Pesa, bank transfer, credit card or cash. Free cancellation until the car is handed over.
Why clients choose the Hiace Safari Van
- Keeps the whole group together
- Room for luggage on long trips
- Book it with a driver or self-drive
- Group airport transfers
Ideal for
- Group road trips from Nairobi
- Family ceremonies upcountry
- Church, school and team retreats
- Wedding guest transport
Toyota Hiace Safari Van hire: questions
Can I take the Hiace safari van on a game drive?
No. The Hiace safari van stays on paved roads and cannot be taken on game drives. Our Land Cruiser Safari is the only car in our fleet allowed on game drives. You can drive the Hiace to your lodge on the tarmac and join the lodge's game drives there.
How many people does the Hiace safari van seat?
Seating layouts differ between versions. Tell us how many people are travelling and how much luggage you have, and we will confirm the van available for your dates.
Can I hire the Hiace safari van with a driver?
Yes, and most groups do. A driver costs KES 4,000 a day within Nairobi or KES 5,000 a day outside Nairobi, and on trips away from Nairobi you also cover your driver's food and overnight accommodation.
Can I book the Toyota Hiace Safari Van from abroad?
Yes. Most of our clients book from the USA, UK, Europe and the UAE, and your car is confirmed before you fly. Pay a refundable reservation deposit within 2 hours of booking (we send a card payment link, or M-Pesa details by WhatsApp, phone or email), then the balance when you see the car, by M-Pesa, bank transfer, credit card or cash. Free cancellation until the car is handed over.
Can you deliver the Toyota Hiace Safari Van to JKIA?
Yes. Share your flight details and we track your flight. The evening before you land we send your driver's name and number, and the driver greets you in arrivals with a sign bearing your name and the car. We also deliver to hotels and homes in Westlands, Kilimani, Karen and across Nairobi. Delivery and collection cost KES 1,000 each way.
Deposit: when your money comes back
You see the exact security deposit for your car in your quote before you book, and again on your booking page. It is fully refundable and due with your remaining balance by handover. It is not an extra charge: it is returned when the car is returned. Your security deposit is refunded immediately after the return handover inspection. It comes back the same way you paid it: by M-Pesa to the number it came from, to the bank account you paid from, back to your card, or in cash. We check the car together and film it, just as we did at handover, and you get a written return receipt. If nothing is owed, you get it all back.
Only these can be taken off:
- fuel below the level you received, at the pump price
- traffic and speed camera fines, parking and tolls, at cost
- a late return, after the 1-hour grace period
- new damage shown on the handover and return videos, up to your Excess Fee for Damage
Anything taken off is on a written list, with the video or a receipt to show it, and there are no admin or processing fees.
Booking with a chauffeur? With one of our chauffeurs driving there is no security deposit and no Excess Fee for Damage. Read our fair damage promise, the rental terms in plain words, every car's price and deposit, and how JKIA airport handover works.