Fuel prices in East Africa in 2027/2028 vary by country, by fuel type (petrol/gasoline vs diesel), and by location (city vs remote town vs park gateway). Understanding the approximate fuel prices in East Africa 2027/2028 before departure allows self-drive visitors to calculate realistic fuel budgets for their hire vehicle circuit — a Land Cruiser Prado consumes approximately 12 to 14 litres per 100km on mixed highway and rough track driving, and a 10-day East Africa circuit covering 2,000km requires 240 to 280 litres of diesel fuel. At the current 2027/2028 East Africa fuel price levels, fuel for a 10-day self-drive is approximately USD 350 to 430 — a significant but manageable circuit cost that should be included in pre-departure budget calculations.
Diesel Fuel Prices East Africa 2027/2028 by Country
- Kenya: Approximately USD 1.40 to 1.50 per litre (KES 180 to 195/litre at approximate 2027 exchange rates). Kenya’s fuel prices are regulated by the Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIKA) with monthly government price reviews — the actual rate fluctuates monthly. Nairobi city centre fuel stations are cheapest; Narok (Mara gateway) is slightly more expensive; Naivasha, Nanyuki, and Nakuru are approximately city-equivalent pricing.
- Tanzania: Approximately USD 1.45 to 1.55 per litre (TZS 3,800 to 4,100/litre). Arusha and Dar es Salaam city stations are cheapest. Karatu (Ngorongoro gateway) is 5 to 10% more expensive. Fuel inside park boundaries is available at lodges only (not self-drive hire vehicles) — fuel up completely at the last major town before each park.
- Uganda: Approximately USD 1.35 to 1.45 per litre (UGX 5,100 to 5,500/litre). Kampala is cheapest; Fort Portal and Masindi are 5 to 8% more expensive; Bwindi gateway towns (Buhoma-adjacent) are 10 to 15% more expensive than Kampala.
- Rwanda: Approximately USD 1.50 to 1.60 per litre (RWF 1,600 to 1,700/litre). Kigali city stations are cheapest; Musanze/Ruhengeri is approximately 5% more expensive.
Petrol (Gasoline) vs Diesel Pricing
Diesel fuel (used by Land Cruiser Prado, Hilux, Fortuner diesel, and the Land Cruiser 76) is generally slightly cheaper than petrol (gasoline) across East Africa — reflecting the high proportion of commercial vehicles and generators in the East Africa market that run diesel. The Toyota RAV4 2.0L petrol variant is the most common petrol hire vehicle — at approximately USD 1.45 to 1.60/litre for petrol vs USD 1.35 to 1.55/litre for diesel, the fuel type difference is small but adds up over a 2,000km circuit.
Calculating Your East Africa Safari Fuel Budget
- Land Cruiser Prado diesel (typical consumption): 12 to 14 litres per 100km on mixed highway and rough track. Use 13L/100km as the planning figure.
- Toyota Hilux diesel: 11 to 13 litres per 100km. Use 12L/100km.
- Toyota RAV4 petrol: 10 to 12 litres per 100km. Use 11L/100km.
Example: 10-day East Africa circuit, 2,000km total:
- Land Cruiser Prado: 2,000km x 13L/100km = 260 litres
- At USD 1.45/litre: 260 x 1.45 = USD 377 total fuel cost
- Budget USD 400 for a 10-day, 2,000km Land Cruiser Prado circuit to allow for variations in route distance and fuel price differences between countries
Where to Fuel: Named Stations on the East Africa Circuit
- Kenya: Total (Rubis), Vivo (ex-Shell), KenolKobil — all branded stations with consistent fuel quality. Avoid unmarked roadside fuel sellers in rural Kenya (risk of contaminated or diluted fuel).
- Tanzania: Total, Oryx, BP — branded stations in Arusha, Dar, Moshi. Smaller towns use local brands — quality generally reliable at established pump stations.
- Uganda: Total, Shell, Oryx — use branded stations in Kampala, Fort Portal, Masindi, Kabale. Fuel quality in Uganda’s remote north (Kitgum area for Kidepo visitors) varies — fill completely at Gulu city before the final 165km to Kidepo.
- Rwanda: Total, Rubis, Engen — Kigali and Musanze branded stations are reliable. Fill completely in Musanze before the Volcanoes NP visit (no fuel at Kinigi).
