Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Paperwork
Kenya without a carnet Kenya without a carnet
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 4 Dec 2003
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: amsterdam, Holland
Posts: 6
Kenya without a carnet
We travel with our Landy through Africa (South African registered) without a carnet, and everyone keeps telling us Kenya will be a problem without a carnet.

Is there anyone who has experience with Kenya without a carnet, and what does this mean: bribe? pay duties?

We need to pass into Kenya 3 times: once crossing to Mombassa from Tanzania, secondly Uganda to Kenya and Thirdly back from Ethiopia to Kenya.

Thanks in advance for your responses!

Arnout & Saskia
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 Dec 2003
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: amsterdam, Holland
Posts: 6
Well, I can answer now to my own question:

It is almost impossible to get into Kenya without a carnet. They only issue C500-forms nowadays which require you to execute a bond. You can either deposit the bond (of about 1.5 times the value of the car) at a bank in Kenya or buy a bond-insurance at an insurance company at 5% of the bond-value. All of this needs to be done by a clearing agent.

In our case the Kenyan Revenue Authority valued our car at 170.000 Ksh and put the bond to 270.000 Ksh (tax-value). 5% means 13,500 Ksh, which is about USD 190.

Pretty expensive, espcially if you go to Ethiopia and back through Kenya paying for another bond!!!

We now opt for trying to buy a carnet in South Africa, but have to see if we can manage as we are in Tanzania.

Good luck!
Arnout
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Jan 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Posts: 93
Hi Arnout,

While perhaps not legally possible, it is physically possible. When we entered from Ethiopia in January 2003, we were driving along the eastern shore of lake Turkana. There's no proper border crossing here so noboby to stamp your carnet. You just don't want to be caught by the Ethiopian police like us.

Once in Nairobi, we went to immigrations and got our Kenya visas no probs, no bribes. On the way out to Tanzania, we simply skipped the customes office and only got our passports stamped by the police.

Drop me a line if you want more info,
best,
Camiel

www.amsterdam2capetown.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 5 Jan 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Posts: 93
Arnout,

One more thought: why don't you get Dutch motoring association ANWB to issue a carnet? As long as you put up a €3000 deposit and pay them €220 they'll issue the Carnet.

I have inquired in the past and they don't mind foreign registration of the vehicle.
Give them a call and ask for the "grensdocumenten" department.

Good luck!
Camiel
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27 Jan 2011
mkpeter
Guest
  
Posts: n/a
Hey, its not able to imagine Kenya without a carnet. So, I think immigrations and got our Kenya visas no probs, no bribes. On the way out to Tanzania, we simply skipped the customes office and only got our passports stamped by the police.

For any further information you can contact me any time

Thanks!
MK
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 7 Aug 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 11
Hi there,

we are travelling from Cape Town northbound. We came down the west side of Africa one and a half years ago on our motorbikes and now it's time to head east and 'back north'.

We were wondering if it's possible to enter Kenya from Tanzania without a carnet (we are thinking of going RSA - MOZ - Tanzania - Kenya ... and then onward)?

Are there any recent experiences? Especially on motorbikes?

Why am I asking: we would prefer to renew our carnets only when we get to Kenya, because we are very slow travellers and one year is such a short time ;-) - and we'll have to do some paperwork anyways when we get to Nairobi - talking about sending our passports back to Europe for the Ethiopia visas and stuff ...

Any recent info would be highly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!
Sabine & Peter
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12 Sep 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 49
Pice of cake border crossing from Tanzania to Kenya
I'm glad to see you two back on the road,we had fantastic time in hippocampe. gintonic. Phost nazdrowie!
Back in 2012,it was so easy to cross,get your visa stamp and keep going don't stop at customs.
Down the road Few km,there is police check point,just go around them I went trough the bush LOL.do the same when you cross to Ethiopia.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12 Sep 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 834
There are two africa round trips without carnet, one 2012 one 2013

4x4tripping: Transafrika ohne Carnet de Passage?: Es gibt Beispiele...

They just get stranded at egypt (and have to order a Carnet there), Kenya wasnt mentioned specially.

You will find their websites and too their posts at HuBB backlinked.

Too you will find a sample of a traveller who gots a TIP for egypt

All three cases was done by bikers...

Surfy
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12 Sep 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 11
Hi Roman, so good to hear from you! We're almost back on the road, leaving Cape Town by the end of September.

Thanks for your very helpful tips, they sound very 'Romnek'-style :-D (going through the bush and such ;-) )! We still fondly remember our time in Brazzaville and talk quite often about you and our time together. Chris (Cape Town) says hi as well!

In the meantime we've organized for our carnets, though, as a friend of ours vistited Cape Town and delivered them to us. We just had to renew them, so the money was still in the bank anyways ;-) - we were just not sure if a simple renewal would be possible after our old ones had expired almost two years ago. But it worked just nicely.

Hope you're doing fine and wishing you all the best,
cheers from Cape Town, Sabine & Hpe
Last edited by fm4fan; 12 Sep 2014 at 10:44. Reason: spelling
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12 Sep 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 11
Hi Surfy,
thank you very much for this very helpful info!

It really seems to be a lot easier to travel on a motorbike than in a car. That has been our experience throughout West Africa. So it IS (still) possible to do it without carnet on a motorbike.

Wow, I'd never thought there even is such a thing as a TIP for Egypt ...

Well, we will see. For now we've got our carnets renewed - but as we travel veeery slowly we'll see how long (far) they last ;-) .

Again, thanks a lot for taking the time to answer, highly appreciated and very helpful!

Cheers from Cape Town,
Sabine & Hpe
Reply With Quote
Reply

« 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

 
 

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

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. 11-15
  • 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 04:53.

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