Driving in and around Diani is fine and there are car hire offices in the Diani shopping centre - driving in Mombasa is not for the faint-hearted! The matatu drivers have no road discipline and drive like crazy - every day there are numerous accidents usually involving matatu drivers. Just a few weeks ago, I was on a matatu when it knocked a cyclist off their bike. The driver drove on with no concern for the poor guy on the floor.

The road to Tsavo isn't too bad now that its been re-surfaced by the Chinese. In and around the reserve its murram and this can be tricky without a four wheel drive when wet. Places in the reserve is well sign posted too. However, you would miss out on the experience and knowledge of the safari driver if you did it yourself. You wouldn't hear about the lastest sightings; know the best places to see something; or read the tracks. What would you do if you have a flat tyre or broke down or got stuck?

I would advise that you stick to the experts for your safari and if you feel brave hire a car for around Diani.

email me we have an excellent taxi driver in Diani he picks us up from the airport every year in a mini bus because of the amount of luggage we take and only charges around £45 for the trip not per person, this year there were 6 of us in the bus, cheap at half the price email office@racingrevelations.co.uk

Would not recommend driving anywhere in Kenya they are mad on the roads, our taxi drivers family comes from Tsavo so I am sure he would be glad to take you there, he is taking us in feb when we go again

The Transfer rate from Moi Airport to Diani/Galu Beach is

Kes. 3535/-- which comes to around 30 Pound not 45 Pound??

some one is trying to make a lot of money from you??

Selfdrive around Diani Beach is not bad, driving in Mombasa be aware of the Matatus, remember the rule the matatu has always right of way. (even if the law says it different)

Small cars like Toyota Corolla are around kes. 3000 per day with 100 km free. (average prices)

For the Safari in Tsavo it is advisable to take a driver guide with you who knows the roads in Tsavo, (if you get lost in tsavo it is only 11000 square KM where they have to look for you) again if you drive in a small car the game viewing is not easy as in a Landcruiser or in a Mini bus what the Tour Operator use. It is difficult to find game from low vehicle.

Enjoy your stay

We went to Kenya for the first time last year and stayed on Diani beach, definitely would not hire a car. We rented a taxi driver!

What if you get lost in an area where it's best not to? Remember that the advice you may be given to hire a car might be from someone who has been there many times before, not a 'first timer'.