Nairobi Transportation

AContact the Kenya Missions Abroad or the Embassy in your country for the latest info.

These visas are valid for 6 months. I remember we got ours while at the airport upon arrival, and we had 2 passport photographs with us.

Venture Africa is a very safe reliable way of getting around Nairobi. They are are easy to find with a desk within the Nairobi Airport arrivals lounge (just look for the wooden booth on arrival with the Venture Africa sign) and they offer not only airport connections to your hotel, but can also arrange day trips to all of Nairobi's sights for you. For me I did a day tour of the Giraffe Centre, David Sheldrick Wildlife trust and the City with my own personal driver named William. I found this to be extremely informative, a great chance to meet one of the locals as my very friendly driver was local to Kenya and of course in a city such as Nairobi safety is a must. I wouldn't have wanted to travel Nairobi any other way.

Venture Africa can also arrange a transfer to other nearby cities to Nairobi which can also be negotiated with the bookings desk at the airport.

The departure lounge and gates at Nairobi airport are a right mess. The gate that I needed to use on the Kenya Airways to Amsterdam flight looked like it was a bit of an after thought.

As you can see from the slightly blurred photo the entrance to the departure gate is somehow squeezed in next to the Java coffee house. Both the Kenya Airways flight and the coffee were poor.

Akamba Bus are probably the only bus company in Kenya that are still going from the time I first visited Kenya back in 1990.
And they are still going stong on a bit of a search for my next trip I came across their own website with a nice easy to use DEPARTURE SCHEDULE

http://www.akambabus.com/schedule.php

UPDATE NOV 2010: Since writing this tip I have since been to kenya and found that some of the services on the Akamba website DEPARTURE SCHEDULE do not exist.

Getting from the airport to the centre of Nairobi can be a real nightmare. If you are travelling in and around the 'rush' hour from the airport it is not unusual to spend 2 hours now in the traffic jams.

What kind of car do you need (4x4) or only driving within the city?
I have a Landcruiser, stationned in Nairobi. Its a private car and I rent it out.
If you are interested just pm me.

Marleen
Holland

To or from Arush/Nairobi there are several shuttle bus options.

Most companies seem the same and charge 30 USD for a 1 way trip.

At the border, you get off and walk through Tanzania and Kenya customs to check/buy visa. Visa will take about 10-15 mins to buy here.

The journey is meant to take 4-5 hours, but I find this impossible as the road is a shocker. 100m of tarmac then 1 mile of dust is the pattern that repeats over and over again. You will be shaken and covered in dust. It took us 8 hours. You must also allow for the hectic Nairobi traffic.

Your hotel can sort out the bus which will pick you up at the hotel and drop you at your chosen hotel.

Make sure your bag is on the bus before getting on as we saw many get mixed up despite the driver being told which bags should go on which bus.

Taxis are plentiful if Nairobi.

Negotiate the fee before setting off.

Best to ask a hotel/cafe etc to call a taxi for you to ensure a reputable, safe and fair priced taxi.

Cost from downtown to the International airport should be around 1500-1700 KS

From downtown to a hotel such as Wildebeest Camp, expect to pay 400-500 KS
Most drivers seem to have perfect English