Is there a way to get to Arusha from Nairobi without flying? If flying, what would be the best option. Our group is meeting at JRO (Kilimanjaro Int'l Airport) but we are going a few days early to the Serena Arusha Mountain Hotel after arriving from London in Nairobi.

Have a look at this thread:

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...-to-arusha.cfm

And this thread:

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...la-shuttle.cfm
Robin

Thanks for these threads. The bus sounds pretty dismal after traveling for two days! Do you know if Precision Air has severe weight restrictions?

I don't know, but have a look at this discussion. Robin

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...-Tanzania.html

There's the shuttle bus as mentioned, it's the least expensive but 5-6/hrs.

If you're a group, you can arrange for a private vehicle transfer via the Namanga border (here you can get TNZ visa, but also need Yellow Fever inoc and proof of same for entry), change vehicles to continue to Arusha and the Serena Mountain Village. Drive time is a bit shorter than the shuttle. Cost is about $350-$400 one/way.

Precision has flights out of NBO/JKIA to Kilimanjaro/JRO (can get Visa here) at about $250/person one/way, 8am, mid-day and later in afternoon/early-evening. You'd then need a meet/greet at JRO airport for transfer to Arusha and Serena Mountain Village.

Or you can fly from Wilson, the domestic airport in NBO to JRO... would need transfer to JKIA to Wilson. Flight would on Air Kenya (not Kenyan Air) or Safarilink, departing 12:40 or 1pm respectively... flight time 50/min. Then same as with Precision for transfer to Arusha.

Weight limits for internal flights both countries is 33/lbs. But between countries if on Precision you're allowed 40/lbs. Considering it's best to keep to the 33/lbs, know that allowance is more than sufficient for what one needs when packing for safari.

Good luck!