Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
Any 4WDs made it into Kenya without a carnet? Any 4WDs made it into Kenya without a carnet?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 9 Mar 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Posts: 542
Any 4WDs made it into Kenya without a carnet?
I know that Kenya officially requires a carnet for vehicles, however has anyone managed to obtain a Temporary Import Permit at the border to enter Kenya in a 4WD recently?

Please note that I am specifically interested if it can be done in a 4WD rather than a motorbike, as I know that it is likely to be easier to get a TIP on a bike.

cheers
Matt Roach
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 Mar 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK/ZW
Posts: 725
I was refused entry at the border and so had to leave my vehicle at the border post and get a matatu up to nairobi to buy a carnet before they'd let me in.

I have met a guy though that entered the country through a small border post behind Kili - small enough (at the time) for them to let him in without a carnet. However you'll still need a Foriegn Vehicle Permit (bought at Nyao House) and for that you'll need to show your Carnet if you decide to stay more than a month.
__________________
Enzo
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Mar 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Suffolk, UK
Posts: 21
Bundubasher,

where was your vehicle registered? I ask because I am about to import my UK registered Hilux into Zambia, who don't have an autoclub such as AA and so can't issue Carnets. I have no idea how to get into Kenya, because I will have given up my UK RAC carnet.

From your reply it seems that Kenya issue their own version of a carnet....... Is going to Nairobi the only way of getting one? Was it pricey?

Mike
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Mar 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK/ZW
Posts: 725
Howzit Mike

My 4x4 is registered in Zimbabwe - I brought the vehicle in from the UK as a returning resident so it came in duty free. If your vehicle is Zambian registered you can drive it all the way up to Kenya without a carnet. Once you get there join the kenyan AA etc etc. As to the cost - are you planning to live and work in Kenya or just visit?

From my website:

Quote:
NB: We actually ended up buying our Carnet in Kenya as after importing our car into Zimbabwe, via South Africa, this is where we got stuck (we had always been allowed to use Temporary Import Permits (TIPs) elsewhere but the Kenyan authorities were sticklers: no carnet, no entry. So we left the car at the Namanga Border Post and traveled up to Nairobi where we bought an AA insurance guarantee: 3% of 750,000 Ksh (Car valued at 500,000 Ksh, Carnet worked out 150% of the cars value, total = 22,500), plus stamp duty: total 26,850 Ksh. Formalities normaly take 3 days but my wife did it in 1 and a half! Then we took the guarantee to the AA and they issued a 25 page Carnet for 30,000 Ksh (AA members).

Namaga Customs storage fees amounted to 4050 ksh (450 per day).

Plus US$ 40 for one months "crappy" road tax.
So the total cost was approximately US$ 850 - cheaper than buying it in the UK as you don't have to have the 500 GBP deposit.
__________________
Enzo
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Mar 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Suffolk, UK
Posts: 21
Thanks for that Bundubasher.

$850 for a carnet for a fortnight's visit isn't really a bargain!! The Hilux is only worth £1000ish. I am just planning a short visit to my daughter's study group in the Maasai Mara, and if I have to go through all that rigmarole and spend that sort of money I would be better off keeping the RAC carnet running. The whole point of registering the vehicle in Zambia was to remove the necessity for continually replacing carnets, but it looks like Kenya is going to foil my cunning plan. What a pain.

Mike
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Mar 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK/ZW
Posts: 725
OK - if you are visiting the Mara...

You could enter TZ on a TIP, drive up to the Sand River Gate (well that's what it's called on the Kenyan side).

Then you should be able to pop over for the day as long as you do not intend to stay over there permanently (This is because there are no border facilities there).

We did this (coming the other way ie: into the Serengeti from the Mara) a couple of years ago. The border guards allowed us (3 vehicles) to cross the border to chase the Migration for a day - for a small consideration.

So don't give up hope...maak 'n plan man!
__________________
Enzo
Last edited by Bundubasher; 14 Mar 2010 at 22:41. Reason: txt edit
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 Mar 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Suffolk, UK
Posts: 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bundubasher View Post
maak 'n plan man!
Thanks for the advice, both here and on the two sites you link to. I have a friend in Dadoma so I'll check with him a few weeks before the trip about the state of that border crossing before I commit to attempting it without a carnet.

Nice sites, BTW........ Below is my Hilux in action.

Mike
Attached Thumbnails
Any 4WDs made it into Kenya without a carnet?-africa-2009-snappy-camera-211  

Any 4WDs made it into Kenya without a carnet?-africa-2009-snappy-camera-338  

Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 15 Mar 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Posts: 542
Thanks Bundubasher,

I have heard that occasionally people heading south from Ethiopia have managed to get in via Lake Turkana without passing customs.

Do you know if there are any small border posts coming from either TZ or Uganda that are similar?

cheers
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 15 Mar 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK/ZW
Posts: 725
Mike - love that amazing roof tent! Home made or what?

Matt - the only possible border post coming from TZ is the small on ebehind Kilimanjaro. Coming from Uganda...I just don't know - any car ferries on Lake Vic?
__________________
Enzo
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 15 Mar 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cairo
Posts: 304
Errr...... MikeAG ......... don't look yet, but has anyone mentioned you've got a house on top of your car?
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 15 Mar 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cairo
Posts: 304
Mr Basher - I bet you'd wished you had one of them on top of your HiLux.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 15 Mar 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK/ZW
Posts: 725
Absolutely amazing RTT! Finally something that will fit my whole family! I WANT ONE!
__________________
Enzo
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 15 Mar 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Suffolk, UK
Posts: 21
Yep.......home-made. There were no 4 man rooftents available when I set off on my trans-Africa 15 years ago, so I made one. This one here is the Mark 11 version, without all the mistakes I made on the Mark 1. The Mark 111 is currently underway in my workshop.......should be 30 seconds to erect rather than the 3 or 4 minutes of the one in the photo.

There.......that's how you hijack a thread!! Sorry.

Mike
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 15 Mar 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK/ZW
Posts: 725
Serious...I want one! What are the external dimensions?
__________________
Enzo
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 15 Mar 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Suffolk, UK
Posts: 21
Folded it is 1500 x 1500 by 250. Open it is 1500 x about 4350 at the base. So, effectively it is bigger than two king-size double beds end to end. The photo doesn't really do it justice, because it shows it un-braced...........leaving the material just a bit slack. The mosi-net that runs along the length of the roof is covered up with a top sheet when we feel cold or if it is likely to rain.

Is there a hijacking tzar on this forum who will come along and slap my wrist shortly?

Mike
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Kenya without a carnet hemel Trip Paperwork 9 12 Sep 2014 10:42
kenya registered vehicle border crossing (Carnet Yes Or NO ?) asaf123 4 wheel Overland Travel 3 12 Aug 2009 18:13
kenya registered vehicle border crossing (Carnet yes or no ?) asaf123 Trip Paperwork 1 30 Jul 2009 16:28
well we made it to RSA from the UK longroadtrip 4 wheel Overland Travel 8 22 Sep 2007 00:26
Europe to Kenya without carnet MarkieB sub-Saharan Africa 5 2 Jun 2006 01:51

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:37.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top