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Driving in Kenya
The rules of the road as our desk recorded them, native unit first.
Driving side
Left
Speed limits
50 / 80 / 110 km/h · 31 / 50 / 68 mph
urban / rural / motorway
International permit (IDP)
Required · Both accepted
An IDP is required alongside your home licence. Self-drive safaris are possible but uncommon and demanding.
Blood alcohol limit
0.08%
Tolls
The Nairobi Expressway is tolled electronically; other roads are free.
Headlights
Not required by day.
Child seats
No effective requirement; lodges and operators can usually provide.
Most visitors do not drive - safari vehicles come with driver-guides who spot wildlife you would miss and know the park roads. If you do self-drive, a 4WD is essential in the parks, Nairobi traffic is severe, and night driving between towns is genuinely dangerous.