One-Way Car Rental from Nairobi to Voi: Route, Tsavo Stops, Fees, and How to Book

You can collect a rental vehicle in Nairobi and return it in Voi, the gateway town to Tsavo East, so you drive the first half of the Nairobi to Mombasa road once and never have to bring the car back. The route is about 330 km on the A109, also called Mombasa Road, and it takes about five to six hours with stops. A one-way fee applies. Most travellers use a Voi drop to start or end a Tsavo East safari, to join the Madaraka Express train to Mombasa from Voi station, or to continue to the Taita Hills and Taveta. Car Rental 4×4 offers one-way drops in Voi town, at the Voi railway station, and at agreed points near the Voi Gate, subject to availability and notice of at least a week.

This page explains the route, the stops, the road conditions, the vehicle options, and the one-way fee factors, so it is useful even if you are still deciding how to get to Voi and Tsavo. For other drop-off towns and for cross-border options, see our hub page on one-way car rental from Nairobi, and for the full coast route, see our guide to one-way car rental from Nairobi to Mombasa. For the whole country, our Kenya travel guide covers entry rules, park fees, and the best places to visit.

How a Nairobi to Voi One-Way Rental Works

You collect your vehicle at an agreed point in or near Nairobi, drive to Voi, and return it at an agreed place there. We then take the vehicle back to Nairobi, which is why a one-way fee applies. Pick-up and drop-off times, places and the fee are written into the rental agreement, so you know exactly what to expect.

Pick-up: Nairobi, including the city and the airport area, by arrangement.
Drop-off: Voi town and hotels, the Voi railway station, agreed points near the Voi Gate, and other agreed points such as Mtito Andei, Maungu and Mariakani, with Mombasa and the coast available on request.
Notice: at least one week, and earlier in peak seasons such as Christmas and New Year, Easter and the July and August holidays.
Vehicles in the park: rental vehicles are not left inside Tsavo East. Drop-offs are in Voi town or at the agreed point outside the gate, and your lodge can arrange transfers.
Mileage and fuel: agreed in advance, with the vehicle returned at the agreed fuel level.
Return in the other direction: Voi to Nairobi is also possible, where a vehicle is available.

Nairobi to Voi: Distance, Time, and the Route

The journey follows the A109 from Nairobi to Voi, about 330 km. The road is paved and carries heavy truck traffic, with some dual carriageways near Nairobi and long two-lane stretches through farming towns and the edge of Tsavo West. In good conditions the journey takes about five to six hours with stops, and on a holiday weekend or in heavy traffic it can take longer. Voi sits roughly halfway between Nairobi and Mombasa, about 160 km from the coast.

Section	Approx. distance from Nairobi	What you pass
Nairobi to the Athi River and Mlolongo	About 20 to 30 km	Industrial belt, busy and slow at peak hours. The Nairobi Expressway toll road starts here.
Machakos turn-off and Emali	About 100 to 160 km	Gateway to Amboseli via the Emali to Loitokitok road
Sultan Hamud and Kibwezi	About 150 to 230 km	Farming towns, roadside fruit stalls, and fuel
Mtito Andei	About 240 km	The halfway point to Voi and the main gate to Tsavo West
Manyani and the Tsavo East boundary	About 270 to 290 km	The road runs beside the park, with the Manyani gate and wildlife near the road.
Voi	About 330 km	A busy town with fuel, shops, the Voi Gate road, the railway station, and the Taita Hills turn-off

Road, train, or flight?

Option	Time	Notes
Self-drive on the A109	5 to 6 hours with stops, longer in heavy traffic	Flexible, lets you stop in Tsavo West or Amboseli, and carries luggage and camping gear
Standard Gauge Railway (Madaraka Express) to Voi	About 3 to 4 hours by train	Comfortable and predictable, with fixed stations and schedules. Voi is one of the stops, and you need a car or a transfer from the station to the gate or your lodge.
Flight to a Tsavo airstrip	About one hour	Scheduled and charter flights serve airstrips in and near Tsavo East from Nairobi, with strict baggage limits. Check current schedules.

Times are approximate and depend on traffic, weather, and roadworks. Check for roadworks on the A109 before you go.

Route Options

Route	How it works	Best for
Direct on the A109	Nairobi to Voi on the paved highway, with fuel and rest stops at Mtito Andei or Kibwezi	Drivers who want the quickest route to Tsavo East and the coast
Safari route via Tsavo West	A109 to Mtito Andei, enter Tsavo West for Mzima Springs, the lava flows, and the rhino sanctuary, then continue to Voi and Tsavo East.	Travellers who want two parks in one trip. Allow a full day inside Tsavo West and confirm gate access and track conditions. See our Tsavo East National Park travel guide.
Amboseli and Tsavo route	Nairobi to Emali, Amboseli for a night, then back to the highway or across by 4×4 tracks to Tsavo West and Voi	Travellers who want elephants under Kilimanjaro before Tsavo. Cross-park tracks need a 4×4 and a guide in dry weather, so ask us before you plan it

Always ask us which route is best for your dates, vehicle, and the weather. Tracks inside the parks can become slow or impassable after heavy rain.

Road Conditions and Driving Tips for the A109

Leave early: aim to be on the road by 6 am so you clear the Athi River and Mlolongo before the worst traffic and reach Voi in daylight.
Expect trucks: the A109 is Kenya’s main freight route, so overtaking can be slow and risky. Be patient, and only pass when the road ahead is clear.
Avoid driving after dark, especially around Mtito Andei and Voi, where unlit vehicles, motorbikes, pedestrians, and livestock are harder to see.
Watch for wildlife near the parks: elephants and other animals sometimes walk near the road between Mtito Andei and Voi, so slow down in marked wildlife zones.
Police checks: carry your license, International Driving Permit, rental agreement, and insurance papers, and slow down for speed checks and bumps in towns.
Fuel up at Mtito Andei, Voi or Kibwezi, and keep the tank above a quarter on the long stretches.
Toll roads: the Nairobi Expressway charges a toll, and you may need an electronic payment method. Ask us before you leave.
Hot weather: the lowland stretches are hot and dusty, so carry water, shade for your car, and a charged phone.
Holiday periods: the road is much busier around Christmas, Easter, and school holidays, so add extra time.

Local notes from our team

Best start time: leave Nairobi before 6:00 am if you want to reach Voi by lunchtime and still have an afternoon game drive.

Best fuel and rest stops: Mtito, Andei, Kibwezi, and Voi are the usual choices, and all have restaurants and shops.

Where drivers tend to struggle: slow-moving trucks on the climbs, speed bumps in towns, and heat on the lowland stretches.

The Voi Gate turn-off: watch for the signs in town and slow down well before the junction.

Best Stops Between Nairobi and Voi

The route is a long highway, but it passes the gateways to some of Kenya’s largest parks, which turns a transfer into a trip.

Emali: the turn-off towards Amboseli, about 100 to 160 km from Nairobi. If you plan to add elephants and Kilimanjaro views, read our Amboseli National Park travel guide.
Kibwezi: a farming town with roadside mangoes, oranges, and fresh snacks, which make a pleasant break.
Mtito Andei: the halfway point and the main gate to Tsavo West, with Mzima Springs, the Shetani lava flow and the rhino sanctuary. See our Tsavo West National Park travel guide.
Tsavo East National Park: the Voi Gate is only a few kilometers from the town, and the park has red elephants, Mudanda Rock, Aruba Dam, and Lugard Falls. See our Tsavo East National Park travel guide.
Taita Hills and Wundanyi: cool, green hills about 40 to 60 km from Voi, with forest walks, endemic birds, and views over the plains.
Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary: a private sanctuary with a famous waterhole lodge, between Voi and Tsavo West.
Nairobi first: if you are starting your trip in the capital, consider a morning game drive in the city before you set off, as explained in our Nairobi National Park travel guide.

Three Ways to Do the Trip

One day: straight to Voi

Morning: leave Nairobi at 6:00 am and drive the A109 with stops at Kibwezi and Mtito Andei.
Afternoon: reach Voi by lunchtime, check in near the gate, and take an afternoon game drive in Tsavo East.

Two days: Tsavo West on the way

Day 1: leave Nairobi early, arrive at Mtito Andei by midday, take an afternoon game drive in Tsavo West, and stay inside or beside the park.
Day 2: a morning drive, then continue to Voi and Tsavo East, with the vehicle returned in Voi.

Three to five days: safari and coast

Day 1: Nairobi to Amboseli via Emali.
Day 2: a dawn game drive in Amboseli, then on to Tsavo West or Voi.
Day 3: Tsavo East, with Mudanda Rock and Aruba Dam, and the vehicle returned in Voi.
Days 4 and 5: the Madaraka Express train from Voi to Mombasa, then beach time on the coast. See our Mombasa travel guide.

Our Kenya safari routes guide describes the Safari and Beach circuit in more depth, including park choices and overnight options.

Choosing the Right Vehicle

If you want…	Choose	Why
Independence and flexible stops	A self-drive 4×4	Copes with the A109 and park tracks if you add Amboseli or Tsavo
Wildlife viewing and photography on the way	A safari vehicle with a pop-up roof	Everyone can stand and photograph from inside the vehicle in the parks.
A relaxed trip with no driving stress	A driver-guide	The guide handles the long drive, the gates, and the park rules and knows where animals have been seen.
To camp in Tsavo or near Voi	Camping gear and rooftop tent rental	Campsites need your own equipment, and a rooftop tent saves lodge costs.
A simple highway drive on tarmac	A compact SUV or saloon	Lower rate and better fuel economy if you stay on the highway, though park tracks need a high-clearance vehicle.

If you are starting your trip in Nairobi, compare options on our car rental Nairobi page. A rooftop tent adds height and weight, so drive carefully under low branches and expect slightly higher fuel use.

One-Way Fee and Price Factors

The one-way fee covers the cost of returning the vehicle to Nairobi, and it is quoted in writing before you pay. We do not publish a flat price because it depends on the factors below.

Factor	How it affects the cost
Vehicle	A pop-up roof or rooftop tent vehicle costs more to bring back than a standard 4×4 or saloon.
Travel dates	Christmas, Easter, and the mid-year school holidays push the fee up and thin out availability.
Where you finish	Voi is about halfway to the coast, so the fee is usually lower than for Mombasa, and drops beyond Voi add distance.
Length of hire	Extra days at Tsavo can lower the average daily cost, even with the fee on top
Driver-guide	Quoted per day, with the guide’s meals and lodging arranged beforehand
Mileage and fuel	Check for a mileage cap, and agree on the fuel level for the handover
Tolls and parking	Not included, and likely on the Nairobi Expressway and in towns
Park fees	Not included if you visit Tsavo East or Tsavo West, and charged per person and per vehicle. See the fee note below
Insurance excess	Standard excess applies, and waivers can be void if you skip the police report after an incident
Time of handover	Agreed windows go into the agreement, and out-of-hours handovers may carry a surcharge

Tip: flexible dates and a mid-week start can improve availability and cost, particularly in peak season.

Tsavo park fees: under the Kenya Wildlife Service schedule published in October 2025, the non-resident adult fee for Tsavo East or Tsavo West is US$80 per 24 hours and US$40 for children aged 5 to 17, with a vehicle fee of KES 600 per day for a vehicle with fewer than six seats. A court challenge paused enforcement of that schedule, so confirm the rate on the KWS portal for your travel date. Our Kenya travel guide lists the full table.

Drop-Off Points in Voi and Along the Route

Drop-off	Approx. time from Voi	Good to know
Voi town and hotels	In Voi	The standard drop. Confirm the exact hotel or parking area
Voi railway station	About 10 to 15 minutes	Suits travellers taking the Madaraka Express to Mombasa or Nairobi, and the vehicle is handed over before boarding
Voi Gate area and lodges outside the park	About 10 to 30 minutes	By arrangement, with the vehicle left outside the park and lodge transfers arranged separately
Mtito Andei	About 1.5 hours	Useful if you are finishing at Tsavo West
Maungu and Mackinnon Road	About 30 to 60 minutes	Highway stops on the way to the coast
Mariakani	About 2 hours	A junction town before Mombasa
Mombasa and Moi International Airport	About 2.5 to 3 hours	See our guide to one-way car rental Nairobi to Mombasa
Taita Hills (Wundanyi)	About 45 to 60 minutes	By arrangement, with a high-clearance vehicle recommended on hill roads
Taveta	About 2 hours	A Tsavo West and Kilimanjaro gateway on the Tanzanian border, on request

If you are heading to the north coast or the south coast, see our guides to one way car rental Nairobi to Watamu, one-way car rental Nairobi to Malindi and one-way car rental Nairobi to Diani.

What to Do in Voi: Why the Drive Is Worth It

Voi is a busy highway town, but it is the best doorstep to Tsavo East and a good base for the Taita Hills and the Tsavo West side.

Tsavo East National Park: red elephants, lions, buffalo, wide plains, Mudanda Rock, Aruba Dam and Lugard Falls, with the Voi Gate close to town. See our Tsavo East National Park travel guide.
Sundowners at a hilltop lodge: the lodges near the Voi Gate have viewing decks over waterholes and plains.
Taita Hills and Wundanyi: a cool green mountain range with forest walks, rare endemic birds and viewpoints over the plains.
Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary: a private sanctuary known for a lodge on stilts with a waterhole, and for elephant viewing.
Tsavo West National Park: Mzima Springs, the Shetani lava flow and Ngulia rhino sanctuary, reached from Mtito Andei or Maungu.
Sagalla Hill and Mount Kasigau: short hikes and views over the plains, best with a local guide.
Taveta and Lake Chala and Lake Jipe: a crater lake and a lake on the Tanzanian border, reached from Voi through Taveta, with a long drive.
The Madaraka Express: Voi is a train stop, so you can combine a road trip with a rail journey to Mombasa.
Shopping and food: a busy market, roasted maize and fresh fruit from roadside stalls.

Beyond Voi: Tsavo, the Coast and Kilimanjaro

From Voi, some travellers continue to Mombasa, Watamu, Malindi or Diani by road or train, and some enter Tsavo East at the Voi Gate and leave by the Sala Gate towards Malindi. Others drive on to Taveta, the gateway to Tsavo West’s southern side and to Tanzania’s Moshi and Kilimanjaro, which needs cross-border paperwork, a Tanzanian visa and Tanzania’s mandatory insurance. See our cross-border car rental from Kenya page and our Tanzania safari routes guide. You can also start in Voi and drop in Nairobi, and our hub page on one-way car rental from Nairobi explains the reverse routes and the cross-border options.

Best Time to Do the Nairobi to Voi Drive

The road can be driven all year. The long rains from March to May can cause slower traffic, washouts and slippery patches, and the short rains in November and December bring brief showers. Tsavo East is hot and dusty, with the dry months from about June to October and January to February giving the best wildlife viewing, since animals gather near water and the bush is thinner. Many lodges close or reduce services in the long rains. Public holidays and school breaks bring heavy traffic, so avoid the busiest days if you can.

For clear roads: weekdays outside school holidays.
For Tsavo wildlife: the dry months from June to October and January to February.
For photography: early morning and late afternoon give the best light and cooler air.
For lower rates: shoulder-season travel, though April and May bring heavy rain and some lodge closures.

Documents and Requirements

Driving licence and International Driving Permit: carry both, plus your passport.
Rental agreement and insurance papers: keep them in the vehicle at all times.
Credit card: in the main driver’s name, for the deposit.
Kenya entry paperwork for overseas visitors: an eTA and, for most travellers, Kenya’s mandatory inbound health insurance, bought through the eTA process or eCitizen. Check the official portal on the day you apply, because rules and premiums have changed since launch.
Park fees: carry a card or mobile money, since KWS has been moving to cashless payment.
Health bulletins: Kenya has confirmed Ebola cases since October 2026, and the Ministry of Health has said there are no restrictions on domestic travel, but screening and advice can change. Check current Ministry of Health and embassy notices before departure.
If you continue to Tanzania from Taveta: a Tanzanian visa, Tanzania’s inbound travel insurance, a letter of authority and the regional vehicle insurance.

How to Book Your One-Way Rental

Pick your finish line: Voi town, the Voi railway station, a point near the Voi Gate or another point on the A109.
Pick the vehicle that suits your stops, from a self-drive 4×4 to a pop-up roof vehicle, a driver-guide, or camping gear.
Send us your dates and stops, such as Amboseli, Tsavo West or Tsavo East, a week or more before collection.
Review the itemised quote with the one-way fee, insurance and extras.
Get your paperwork ready: licence, IDP and any entry authorisations.
Collect and inspect the vehicle with us, and save our 24-hour contact.
Hand it back at the agreed place and time, and keep the handover note.

Nairobi to Voi One-Way Rental Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a car in Nairobi and drop it in Voi?

Yes. A one-way rental lets you collect in Nairobi and return the vehicle in Voi, subject to availability, notice and a one-way fee.

How far is Nairobi from Voi by road?

About 330 km on the A109, which is Mombasa Road.

How long does the drive take?

About five to six hours with stops, and longer in heavy traffic or on busy holidays.

Is it better to drive, take the train or fly?

Driving gives you flexibility, luggage space and safari stops. The Madaraka Express reaches Voi in about three to four hours, but you need a car or transfer from the station. Flights to Tsavo airstrips take about an hour, with strict baggage limits.

Can I take the rental car into Tsavo East?

Yes, a self-drive vehicle can enter the park through the Voi Gate, subject to park fees and rules. A high-clearance 4×4 is best on the tracks. The vehicle is returned outside the park, not inside it.

Can I stop in Tsavo West or Amboseli on the way?

Yes. Mtito Andei is the gate to Tsavo West, and the Emali turn-off leads to Amboseli.

Is there a one-way fee?

Yes. The fee depends on the vehicle, season and drop-off point, and we quote it in writing before you pay.

How much notice do you need?

At least one week, and more for Christmas, Easter and school holidays.

Can I drop the vehicle at the Voi railway station?

Yes, by arrangement. It suits travellers who continue to Mombasa by train.

Can I drop the vehicle in Mombasa, Watamu, Malindi or Diani instead?

Yes, on request. See our one-way pages for each of those routes.

How much does it cost to enter Tsavo East?

Under the KWS schedule published in October 2025, non-resident adults pay US$80 per 24 hours and children aged 5 to 17 pay US$40, plus a vehicle fee. Enforcement of that schedule was challenged in court, so confirm the current rate before you go.

Is it safe to drive from Nairobi to Voi?

The route is widely driven. Leave early, avoid night driving, keep your distance from trucks, watch for wildlife near the parks and follow normal precautions.

Do I need a 4×4?

A 4×4 is not essential on the highway, but it is useful if you add park tracks in Tsavo or Amboseli.

Can I take camping gear or a rooftop tent to Tsavo?

Yes, and it is a popular choice. The kit is listed in your paperwork and stays with the vehicle.

Can I pick up in Voi and return in Nairobi?

Yes, where a vehicle is available.

Get a One-Way Quote: Nairobi to Voi

Tell us your travel dates, group size and whether you want a direct drive, a Tsavo West stopover, an Amboseli and Tsavo safari or a longer safari and beach trip. We will recommend the vehicle, confirm the one-way fee and the drop-off point, and send an itemised quote before you commit.