Arusha Car hire.
Hire a self-drive 4×4 rental car and explore Tanzania’s north without any restrictions that come with guided scheduled safaris. We do assist with trip planning as well as accommodation bookings for safari camps, safari lodges, special campsites and budget hotels and guest houses. Simply ask us and we shall assist you accordingly as an added value service to our 4×4 car hire service.
Arusha Car hire. 4×4 car hire from Arusha to explore some of the most stunning game reserves in Africa of Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Hire a 4×4 from Merry 4×4 Car hire at very competitive rates for an unforgettable 4×4 car hire experience when you visit Tanzania. We offer a range of 4×4 hire options including self drive 4x4s and with driver guide safari rental options. Why not consider a safari camping option in one of our campers and fully equipped 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers? We offer rooftop tents, ground tents as well as full camping gear that includes camping chairs, camping tables, gas cannister, fridge or cooler box, kitchen equipment and everything you might need on a comfortable camping safari in Africa.
Start your self-drive safari to Tanzania from Arusha or Kilimanjaro. Our 4×4 fleet is based in Arusha from where we do airport deliveries to both Arusha airport and Kilimanjaro airport. Arusha 4×4 car hire is a convenient option for travellers to Tanzania who wish to visit the legendary Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater for once in a life game drives in search of the big five, cats, lions, leopards, buffalos, elephants and the abundant birdlife in these Tanzania safari and wildlife gems.
Arusha is the heart and soul of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit, serving as the most convenient springboard for safari holiday adventurers heading to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Lake Natron. Should you wish to secure your Ngorongoro Crater permits in advance, we will be more than happy to purchase the NCPs in advance of your arrival to Arusha.
Whether you are planning an independent self-drive camping safari, as scheduled guided safari or a self-drive guided safari holiday in Tanzania, renting a 4×4 car from us is a sure way of having an amazing and memorable time in Tanzania.
Whether you’re a seasoned overlander or a first-time visitor to Tanzania, we’re at hand to assist you plan your holiday as well as reserve for you a 4×4 rental car in Arusha or Kilimanjaro for your safari expedition in Tanzania. Ask us about everything you need to know about 4×4 car hire in Arusha for your safari.
Why a 4×4 Arusha car hire from us is a must when visiting Tanzania.
We’re always asked whether one needs a 4×4 when visiting Tanzania. If you’re travelling to the southern circuit national parks of Selous, Mikumi or Ruaha, a fulltime 4wd like a Toyota Rav4 or Toyota Prado would be sufficient. However, if your plan is to travel to Serengeti, Ngorongoro or Lake Natron, then a rugged and sturdy 4×4 like the resilient and formidable Toyota Land Cruisers 4×4 hardtops or Land Rover Defenders 4×4 are an absolute must and highly recommended. In fact, for first time visitors to Tanzania, we usually recommend taking one of our experienced driver guides for this part of your safari. Driving in Serengeti and Ngorongoro can be quite challenging to the non-experienced drivers who are not very conversant with use of 4×4 capabilities.
Whereas it is true that the roads connecting major Tanzania cities are generally paved, the road network in the national parks is quite different. You will be driving on gravel roads, deep sand, riverbeds, and, during the rainy seasons (March–May and November), tough quite challenging muddy roads. A 4×4 provides:
- High Ground Clearance: a 4×4 offers yougreat clearance suitable for avoiding un-insured damage to your undercarriage.
- Traction: a 4×4 offer the requisite traction for navigating slippery surfaces and steep climbs.
- Reliability: Safari-grade 4x4s (like the Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover Defenders) are calibrated and customised to withstand the punishing vibration for the challenging road from Seronera via Naabi Hill Gate to Serengeti.
Hire a 4×4 in Arusha from Merry 4×4 car hire for a hassle free safari to Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Essential Requirements for Renting a 4×4 from Merry 4X4 Car Hire.
When we confirm your booking for a self-drive 4×4 rental from us, we shall request that you have in place the following;
- Valid Driver’s License: Your home country’s license is usually sufficient as long as you’re over 21 years of age and have held a valid driver’s license for the past 2 years.
- Age Limits: A minim of 21 years of age.
- Credit Card: We request for a 20% advance payment that acts as a commitment fee payable using more major credit/debit cards via PayPal or stripe. The balance 80% is payable in cash USD or Euros at the start of your rental in Arusha or Kilimanjaro.
- Booking in Advance: During the peak seasons July, August, December and January ,4×4 vehicles in Arusha are in very high demand. Booking at least 1–2 months in advance is the best way to secure a competitive discounted 4×4 hire rate as we’re usually fully booked months in advance especially with our sturdy Land Cruiser hardtops.
The “Must-Do” Checklist for Your 4×4 Rental with us.
Before you start your 4×4 rental in Arusha, we recommend the following.
Go through the rental contract: We issue rental agreements for every 4×4 rental. We ask that you thoroughly read through the rental agreement and ask for clarification of any clauses that you may not be sure of. We will always ask for a signed copy of the rental agreement as it forms the basis of your rental with us and will be binding on both parties. We offer comprehensive insurance but the “comprehensive” insurance coverage does not include undercarriage damage usually associated with reckless driving.
Inventory: We will have an inventory check of the vehicle with you, show you where the tyre changing kit is and agree with you any existing dents or cracks on the rental car. We will inspect the entire vehicle before you drive away, highlighting every existing dent, scratch, or crack in the glass. If you’re on a self-drive camping safari, we shall jointly do an inventory check of the camping gear and rooftop tent as well as making sure you’re conversant on setting up of the rooftop tent.
Test driver the rental car: For those drivers or renters not very familiar with 4x4s, we will offer to walk you through how the 4WD operates (both high and low range). Please always check and make sure that the vehicle is inserted with a good spare tyre and functional jack and wrench.
Connectivity & Recovery: If you are travelling to remote off-the beaten corners of Tanzania and rarely visited national parks, we will confirm that the vehicle VHF is functioning properly and also make sure that you’re in possession of a have a local Tanzania SIM card with sufficient data volume for emergency communication.
Tanzania self-drive safari Safety and Etiquette
Tanzania drives on the left. Outside of cities and towns keep your speed moderate and controllable. It is not unusual to unexpectedly come across livestock and animals on the road as well as wildlife. This is vintage Tanzania where animals can cross the roads without warning
- No Night Driving: This is the golden rule of east African travel. Visibility is poor, and animals are most active at night. Always aim to reach your destination well before it gets dark,
- Fuel Up: Petrol stations are plentiful in Arusha but sparse in the national parks. Fill your tank whenever you pass a station; never risk running low in the middle of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Natron or Lake Manyara.
- Respect the Local guidelines: If you encounter a police checkpoint, stay calm, keep your documents ready, and be polite. It is a standard procedure.
Should You Hire a Driver?
If the thought of navigating the vast Serengeti and Ngorongoro terrain makes you anxious, please consider hiring a professional driver-guide from us from as low as US$40 per day. This fee covers the driver guides’ charges, his meals and his accommodation. A good driver guide does more than just drive; they are 4×4 vehicle mechanics, experts at spotting wildlife in the national parks and game reserves. The driver guides have immense experience and are local experts who can guide you with park logistics comfortably. A driver guide will have expert local knowledge, be able to drive through fairly rough slippery terrains and make your trip from a stressful one into an educational, amazing, memorable, stress-free wildlife safari experience. Fo camping safari clients, the driver guide can assist with setting up for the night and in some cases help out with cooking meals. We also offer part self-drive, part with driver guide rental, where the driver guide will only take behind the wheels for those most challenging sections of your safari while you sit back to soak in the amazing scenery of the amazing Serengeti and you take over the driving adventure for sections where you feel more comfortable driving.
Safari Holiday planning:
Are you considering a self-drive, self-guided Tanzania safari adventure? We’re happy to assist you with pre-safari planning formalities including assist you design a logical itinerary flow that will enable you make the most of your safari. If you wish to have assistance with accommodation bookings in lodges and safari camps, we’re at hand to assist accordingly at a very small booking handling fee.
The Merry 4×4 Car hire Guide.
Our Arusha fleet is made up of various vehicle options. Below we give you a rough overview of what we have on offer as well as a quick overview of our recommendations.
| Vehicle Type | Capacity | Best For… | Approx. Daily Rate (USD) |
| Toyota RAV4 | 2–3 Pax | Budget trips, short distances, and paved roads. Not ideal for safaris to Serengeti, Ngorongoro or Lake Natron. The Rav4 is not suitable for camping safaris and cannot be mounted with a rooftop tent. The Rav4 is suitable for travel to the Tanzania Southern Circuit parks of Ruaha, Mikumi and Selous as well as to Arusha, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. | $80 |
| Toyota Land Cruiser Prado | 3-4 Pax | A balance of comfort and capability. Great for lodge-to-lodge safaris. | $110 |
| Land Cruiser Hardtop (78 Series) | 4-5 Pax | The sturdy 4×4 of choice. Usually comes with a pop-up roof for easy wildlife viewing. Ideal for self-drive camping safaris | $120 |
| 4×4 Camper (with Rooftop Tent) | 2–4 Pax | Can be fitted with rooftop tent, fridge and other camping gear. | $150-$180 |
3. Essentials for self-drive 4×4 rentals.
When booking your 4×4 with Merry 4×4 Car hire in Arusha, we shall make sure that it is fitted with (subject to availability)
Pop-up Roof: Essential for unobstructed game viewing and photography in the game reserves.
- Dual Battery System: To keep the internal fridge or electric cooler box running without draining the vehicle starter battery.
- Long-Range Fuel Tanks: Distances between fuel stations in the Serengeti are massive; look for a 160L capacity or ask us for spare fuel jerrycans.
- Safety Kit: High-lift jack, spare tyre, fire extinguisher, and a first-aid kit.
Crossing Borders and one way hires.
We offer cross border rental between Tanzania and neighbouring countries of Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda or Malawi plus Zambia. In addition, we offer one way rentals between Arusha and Dar es salaam, Nairobi, Kigali, Entebbe, Kampala or Lusaka. Pick up the 4×4 rental car in Arusha or Kilimanjaro and drop it off at a different location in a neighbouring country.
If you plan to cross into Kenya, Rwanda or Uganda, we shall give you a COMESA Yellow Card that costs US$60 for a 30-days rental and an authorization letter from Merry 4×4 car hire that will be required at the border crossings.
Park Fees and Rules
Remember that your car rental fee does not include National Park entry fees. In Tanzania, these are paid via a “Government Control Number” or a prepaid card.
Pro Tip: If you are driving a foreign-registered vehicle (e.g., a car from Kenya), be prepared to pay an additional $40/day “Foreign Vehicle Fee” in Tanzanian parks.
Would you like us to create a customised self-drive itinerary starting from Arusha or Kilimanjaro?
Would you like to know more about 4×4 self-drive campers or 4×4 hire options starting from Arusha? Please contact us on;
E-mail: hire@merry4x4carhire.com
WhatsApp/Tel: +256-785-129-479
