Georgie2007

We are looking at the pros and cons of driving or flying from Nairobi to Arusha. Has anyone driven that road and what was the scenery like, the border crossing etc. It almost seems by the time you get to the airport and catch your flight you would be half way to Arusha by car.

Tanya_in_Kenya

Hi Georgie,

Are you thinking of hiring a car to drive yourself? There are also daily shuttle buses which run between Nairobi and Arusha - they have various pick-up points in Nairobi as well as at the international airport. You can see departure times, costs etc here:

http://www.kentzshuttle.com/transfers.htm

It's a pretty drive down to Tanzania, but hot! The flight is very quick, but as you guessed, by the time you have transferred from the international to the domestic airport, and checked in again etc, you have used up quite a few hours of your day.

I guess it will also depend on how your arrival time into Kenya fits in with the shuttle transfers and/or ongoing flights to Arusha. You may end up waiting for hours for one, but not the other and that may decide it for you!

Hope this helps a bit,
Tanya
http://www.wildernessdiary.com

rsnyder

In 2004 we took the bus (Arusha to Nairobi) and it was a positive experience. Road was paved and very good (particularly for Kenya standards). Other tourists (particularly a family from the Netherlands) made the ride interesting. Border crossing was relatively hassle free. Venders have stalls in the "no-mans" land between the borders. Rest rooms were there as well. We also stopped at a rest area (with shops) just inside the Kenya border. Scenery was great. Saw quite a bit of livestock but not much wildlife except the occassional hornbill when we were still in the bush areas. I would have no qualms about traveling by bus again. Don't have my travel file in front of me but thought it was the River bus shuttle.

atravelynn

I've flown round trip and done the shuttle bus round trip. Either is fine.

I agree with everything Rsnyder wrote. In addition, there were views of Kili, the only views I had that trip as I was not staying at Amboseli or neighboring properties with a view.

Calo

We did the shuttle bus in 2006 and found it well worth while in terms of $$value and experience in general. Locals at the Namanga border crossing will pressure you to make purchases. The trip wasn't hot when we went in late June. Our international flight arrival in Nairobi seemed as though it would fit fairly well with the shuttle departure, but because there is very little to do at the airport, and because the shuttle was late picking us up we've decided to fly from Nairobi to Arusha this year. I don't recall reading about anyone who has driven themselves across the border.

Patty

I'm not sure where you'd be coming from but from reading your planning thread, it might be the Mara so I just wanted to let you know that there are flights to Kilimanjaro from Nairobi Wilson airport. The morning Mara-Nairobi flight is scheduled to connect with the Nairobi-Kilimanjaro flight. In this case, there would be no change of airports and it's a very easy connection, so I'd fly.

Georgie2007

Thanks for all your replies. We would not be driving ourselves. We were looking at getting a private car transfer but it looks like the shuttle bus maybe the way to go if we don't fly. We will have a few days in Nairobi so would be able to catch the 8am shuttle. Patty if we come from the Mara it makes sense to catch the connecting flight through to Kilimanjaro. I just needed to know that the transport and road conditions from Nairobi to Arusha were ok. Thanks again.

mazj

Hi Georgie,

Did a private car transfer earlier this year. Couldn't find the link to post it here but I know it is post number 846! Only worth a read for what could go wrong!

Georgie2007

Hi mazj,
I found and read your report which was great. I have just finished my report for Botswana and Mozambique and we were there May/June last year. Better late than never.

Wow if we do a private transfer I hope it is not quite as exciting as yours. We may take the shuttle bus or fly depending on timing.

We thought exactly the same about the bush. Our first stop was Victoria Falls in ZIm and Peter and I both commented that the land looked so similar o the Australian outback but of course the animals are vastly different.

Not sure that a Kangaroos footy scarf was the correct one to give Raphael. I'm from Adelaide, living in Canberra and I think a Crows scarf would be just the ticket.