Nairobi to Arusha -- By Shuttle, Bus, or Plane
 

My research has turned up mixed opinions about travelling from Nairobi to Arusha. From what I can find, ground travel will involved a lengthy, possibly dangerous (??) trip at a cost of about $50-70 return. Plane travel is quicker but has a cost of about $400 return. I would love to hear from some travellers that have done this road trip in the past as the conditions of the roads, and safety of the trip itself. Would you do it again - or spend extra on a flight next time around? Any other input from anyone would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

In a word - FLY! You couldn't pay me to take the shuttle between Arusha and Nairobi again and, if you have a look at the thread given below, I am not the only one who feels this way. That trip was a nightmare - unsafe, incredibly dusty and beyond uncomfortable! Robin

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

I think it depends on your perspective. From what I've read in the past, it is not a particuarly bad trip for Kenya or really unique, except for the level of comfort (canadian_robin just choked on her morning bagel, but it is relative! :-) ). Would you take shared transportation anywhere in Kenya? The skies are certainly safer, but there's something much more satisfying about covering a country by land.

FWIW, after checking the current road conditions (extensive roadworks = no go) I would certainly do it one way for fun; two ways if money was really tight. My wife says 'no way'.

I just took the shuttle van one week ago. It was a crazy experience! I'm glad I did it b/c it gave me lots of stories to tell. I'd recommend driving one time just to see and experience a slice of real African life. But--if you want dust-free, smooth-road comfort--the shuttle is NOT for you! The highway between Nairobi & Arusha is undergoing major construction. Short sections are paved...then you're off onto a bumpy, dusty, dirt "diversion."
I didn't think it was unsafe just uncomfortable. Our driver makes the trip twice a day so I trusted that he knew what he was doing.
My son & I met some cool people on the trip down and back--regular folks we wouldn't have come in contact with otherwise.
The chaos at the border crossing was something to behold as well!
The trip takes about 5.5 hours.
If you're up for a cheap adventure, go for it... otherwise, fly.

Hi
i've done the shuttle a few times (that already means something...) This is Africa!
convinience? i'm not spoiled. safety? never thought about it

but i've taken (years ago) all kinds of matatus, trucks, pickups incl. a lorry with sheep - i was sitted on some barrels beside the beasts, travelled on top of a tanker (with welded metal bars u can hold) etc'

as a <i>Mzungu</i> you can reserve a good seat (not those folding ones that are opened occasionally in the middle

i've always paid about $10 (armed with a few Swahili words)

If you have the time, after all you are in Africa - experience the road trip. It is interesting going through the outskirts of Nairobi first, then through smaller communities, then through the country seeing smaller villages, markets, etc. The quality of the entire road is very good, the border crossing (Namanga)is interesting and fairly quick and the road from Namanga to Arusha in excellent shape. Do it for the sake of the experience, how often do you have a chance for such a trip anyway?

I've done the shuttle (bus) <i>and</i> I've flown. The road construction presently would likely be the one factor in me choosing <i>not</i> to go by shuttle again. However, I am really pleased that I did the shuttle once (pre-construction) - it was a great way to see the country and visit with locals on the bus. I wasn't concerned for my safety <b>at all</b>. You may rather spend your time on safari rather than on the shuttle. On my last trip I flew, and the views of Kilimanjaro were spectacular.

Many years ago, when there was no road construction, did the shuttle NBO/ARK. What an experience. The only thing missing was the chickens on the roof. On arrival Arusha, made immediate arrangements for the return in a private vehicle. Even though over the same road, nowhere near as uncomfortable.

Nowadays, I fly. Yes, more expensive, but it's 50/min. Check-in at airport is 1/hr prior departure. The transfer (arrange a meet/greet at airport) to Arusha is comfy and 45/min-1/hr. And, if on the return you're connecting to your homebound flight, you fly JRO/JKIA direct into the international airport (no transfer required).

I've done both. My advice - fly. Its a long, dusty, hot drive.

Kimburu - choked on my bagel?? I just swallowed it whole!! :-) And yes, I have taken shared transport - I have ridden in many a minibus taxi! Those I love!
<i>....but there's something much more satisfying about covering a country by land</i> - which is precisely why we self-drive everywhere, but there was nothing satisfying about that shuttle ride - except perhaps that (surprisingly) we survived!

Live2go<i>
I'm glad I did it b/c it gave me lots of stories to tell. I'd recommend driving one time just to see and experience a slice of real African life.</i>
This was our thought exactly - our last chance to see a bit of countryside (of Tanzania and Kenya) before boarding the plane back to Canada after a six-week self-drive. Well, it certainly gave us a story to tell, but not at all of the nature we expected.

aby
<i>safety? never thought about it</i>
It was all we could think about during those long - very long - 6 hours. As the shuttle was late leaving Arusha, both drivers (they change at the border) were trying to make up time. They drove like lunatics, despite the construction. I thought for certain we were going to die on that "highway". It was the worst possible end to what had otherwise been a fantastic trip! Also, they piled the luggage on the back seats of the bus, stacked floor to ceiling, and suitcases fell on us several times. Not safe!

<i>you can reserve a good seat</i> We did, months in advance - seats 2A and 2B - only to have them combine two buses at the last minute. We were booted off our bus and told to take what seats remained on the second bus. We were in the second last row over the wheels - thanks to the wheel wells, my husband had his knees up around his chin...and, of course, there were the attack suitcases!

mkulove: <i>The quality of the entire road is very good</i> - not at the moment it isn't - it is under construction and in terrible condition.

I agree that the border experience is wonderful, but by no means worth the rest of the aggravation. I agree with Sandi - fly! Robin

The road construction will remain for the next 5 years at least, at the rate the Japanese Construction Company is going.

I rode it last year in private vehicle ....but knowing how the road is now ,I would not do it again !!

Oh, I probably would do it again before I would board a single engine plane !! :)

Like canadian_robin says ."the road is in terrible condition."

There were times when we drove in the ditch because it was better than the road !

LOL Robin! Sometimes the more experience of these things you get, the less you want - that's for sure. I'm definitely in the "fly" camp too with the road construction going on, although with a fully open road I'd still go for it, one way.

Driving in the ditch brings back such fond memories, Percy - althougheven if my thoughts at the time were "how much longer?".

Forgive the typo - I created a new word!

Prior to the road construction I did it one way--in 2004 so perhaps things have changed. My experience was quite different from Robin's. The ride felt very safe and relatively comfortable compared to other bus rides I've taken in other developing countries. I enjoyed it and was with a friend whose first experience in any developing country was this trip. She loooved the drive.

kimburu

You are right "how much longer".

And we came all the way from Amboseli National Park to Nairobi to catch a plane to Zanzibar.

My driver/ guide said " Don't worry we will make it with time to spare."

I was beginning to wonder.... but he was right !

After that horrible drive....to be in Zanzibar an hour later was like heaven
:)

Percy -

Are you sure the Japanese are building the roads? I ask as most of the road construction in both Kenya and Tanzania is being done by the Chinese. Or do locals think all Asians look alike? :)

However, if it is the Japanese it really should have been done already. I mention this as when the Japanese did the road going to Ngorongoro (in '98) is was completed rather quickly and is still in great condition.

Hi sandi

My driver / tour guide who grew up and lives in Arusha ,told me the Japanese are doing it and that there was a lot of controversy involved and that ...

they brought their own equipment over here which is substandard to what should be used.

Robert (driver/guide) for sure said Japanese. (Maybe he meant Chinese..I do not know )

Also, the construction company was suppose to hire a lot of the locals, but not as many were hired as was expected.

That is all I know about the road construction and why it is going so slowly.

But I would sure like to hear more about it , and if anyone can get more information you can :)

Oh yes the road to Ngorongoro is in terrific condition.

Maybe it is a different company. Robert told me a lot of politics was involved in who they hired !!

Percy -

I'm not sure either, just that Japanese didn't sound right when the Chinese seem to be everywhere "over-there."

Most important though is that whomever is doing the work... they finish it sooner than later :)

You got that right sandi. The sooner the better.

Driving in the ditch in some places because it was better than the road is not exactly pleasant.

Gee !!! Politics involved in getting a multi million dollar contract to build a road.... hmmm

almost never happens in North America !!! :)