Kenya Transportation

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  •   Transportation
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  •   Transportation
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  •   Transportation
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Local transport in the north

by sachara

On the road from Moyale at the border with Ethiopia to Marsabit and Samburu National Reserve we hardly saw any local transport. There must be some buses on this route. In one of the few small villages along the track we saw this open truck. In many countries in Africa people travel at the top of open trucks. In Nigeria and Chad we saw very heavily loaded trucks with dozens of passengers, sometimes hanging above the transported cows.In the 80s in Ghana I have travelled myself this way in open trucks.

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riding a Matatu's

by skatzcatz

Staying in Kenya for any period of time would require you to ride one of the local buses. I actually found it a joy (me loving speed) to sit in what i call a small minivan with in some cases 28 people and chickens racing other matatu's down the road to pickup the next passenger first. And even though the law states only 14 per matatu what i encountered was they would unload down to 14 people make them walk through a police checkpoint and pickup people waiting after it for another matatu. For your information here are some local prices i paid, may give you an idea on how cheap they are. Carry plenty of 100ksg notes and small coins.20kshUkunda - Diani beachLunga Lunga - HoroHoro30kshDiani Beachalets - Ukunda50kshMombasa - Likoni ferryLikoni ferry - UkundaLunga Lunga - Vanga100kshUkunda - Lunga Lunga300ksh taxi Diani beach turnoff to Diani Beachalets2000tsh (tanzania)Horohoro - Tanga7000tsh...

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The Lunatic Express

by Krumel

The lunatic express is the Nairobi-Mombasa train line, so called because it seemed like a foolhardy enterprise to build a train line from Mombasa to Kampala in Uganda through what at the time was largely unexplored land. It is better to get your ticket and reservation in advance, and to be there half an hour before departure to get your boarding card. The trains leave Nairobi and Mombasa at 7pm each evening, and arrive at 8.30 am the next morning. A first-class ticket costs 3,000 KSH for a 2-berth cabin and includes dinner and breakfast. I had a cabin for myself, which was fine, but for 2 people sharing it's probably a bit of a squeeze. The cabins have a small sink and can be bolted from inside. Soap and bedding is provided, but you should bring your own towel.As with train lines everywhere they always seem to be running through some especially ungainly backyards. So when you are leaving...

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Lots of Driving!

by butterfly_girl

Although I loved my trip to Kenya, I think we attempted to do too much in too short of a time. It seemed like we were constantly driving from one place to the next without enough time to just enjoy one place. Masa Marai is a great place to visit and it would be best to spend a few more days there and less running around to other spots. Just my opinion anyways. The roads can be dusty and hot, so if you can avoid constant driving on them, you will have a more relaxing trip.

Flying Safari

by snoopycat

Having only 10 days to spend in Kenya, I decided the best way to see all I wanted to see was to do a "Flying Safari".AirKenya was my transportation of choice to get from Nairobi to Samburu to the Masaai Mara and back to Nairobi. It sure beat spending hours on end bouncing over bad roads in getting between camps.

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Nightmare transit through Nairobi

by DesertRat

My wife and I have just returned from a trip to South Africa with Kenya Airways, which, unavoidably, involved a change of aircraft in Nairobi. On the outward journey, we were an hour late leaving Dubai and had, according to the schedule, but 50 minutes on the ground at Jomo Kenyatta Int'l. We were assured that our Cape Town flight would be held, which was true enough as it turned out.On arrival in Nairobi, we entered the terminal via an airbridge from our 767, were rushed through a narrow, crowded corridor to the Cape Town gate and their security (which was slipshod at best). Once inside, the whole experience took on the appearance of a Keystone Cop film:"Where do we go?""Sit down anywhere"Five minutes later. Flight's called."Where's the gate?""Go through that door.""But that isn't a gate. Where is the gate?""Go through that door."There were two directions we could go to get out a...

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Matatus

by Suet

Um.... never dared to get in one of these death traps myself.... don't recommend it, the drivers are undisciplined, not passed any kind of test, young, reckless, on drugs or alcohol. They speed and drive dangerously...... All of the accidents are generally involving and caused by a matatu, a coach or a lorry...Getting jammed up against people like sardines is normal for Kenyans, but the locals are targets for thieves, losing mobile phones, money, shoes, glasses.....Personally, I always travelled by car and generally with a driver or guard who was armed.

taxis, matatus and co.

by call_me_rhia

Matatus, the local variation of shared minibuses are actually much cheaper - but I must say I decided against: they were more than overcrowded - usually with a couple of people standing on the open door and gripping firmly on the roof. let's say they did not look neither comfortable nor safe, especially because of the high speed. There are plenty of taxis around - but they are geared towars foreigners - hence the prices aren't as low as you would expect - not even after bargaining - but if you can share it, it's not too bad. As a rule of thumb, however, the price listed for a one way trip, can easily become the one for a return trip, including waiting time. No comment about the state of the cars: they are rustying away and are falling apart - at one point we drove into a mud pool and water entered the car from the bottom - leaving us laughing and with wet feet.

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matatu maddness

by eralc

It has to be said that the only way to travel around kenya is in a matatu. These are the minibuses/vans/carts that you will see stacked high with people. They will stop almost anywhere. If you want to go somewhere, find yourself a matatu park aqnd you are almost garenteed that a matatu will be going there. Just be careful of the touts...they'll tell you anything to get you on to their matatu... also, ask the local what they are paying before agreeing a price.

My Truck!!

by safardreams

Had the same LAND-ROVER for both SAFARIS to KENYA. Goes anywhere. People look at us all the time. It's nice seeing the littlekids wave to us as we pass by. MINNI-BUS,ok in the city. Out on safari, how could you.9/2002

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Top 3 Hotels in Kenya

Nairobi Serena Hotel  Nairobi

 5 Reviews and 206 Opinions  Our partners in SA were having a business conference in Nairobi and needed a hotel with good... 

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Governors' IlMoran Camp  Masai Mara Game Reserve

 4 Reviews and 67 Opinions  Little Governors Camp was built in 1976 in the Masai Mara in Kenya with its own independent... 

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Serena Beach Hotel & Spa  Mombasa

 1 Review and 211 Opinions  Quite a long way out of Mombasa to the North, this is said to be one of the best hotels on the coast... 

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Questions and Answers

ciera profile photo

Q:  i want to go to kenya for 5 months with my 3 children and husbin im wondering what are so wonderful sites to see? 

CatherineReichardt profile photo

A: Hi Why don't you start by reading the many travel pages on Kenya that VT members have already compiled? As you're a new member, you may not yet be aware how to do this.... 

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