Kenya Getting Around

Getting Around

By air Nairobi has three airports: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) - Local, regional & international flights Wilson Airport - Local internal flights only. Eastleigh Airbase (military only) Wilson Airport is the busiest airport in Africa outside South Africa. It is a major hub for local flights to the nature reserves in Kenya and to cities in neighboring countries. Another major international airport in Kenya is Moi International Airport in Mombasa, destination for many tourist charter flights to the Kenyan coast. By bus Kenya has a network of long distance bus lines. Speed is limited to 80km/h and the highways can be very bumpy and dusty so ensure you pick a comfortable and reputable coach company for the long journeys. Travelling during the day is preferable to travelling at night due to the threat of carjackings and road traffic accidents. Local Buses in town comprise of private companies such as the green and yellow Citi Hoppa, which provide, all seating, comfortable transportation for an inexpensive fee (usually around US$ 0.66). They have regular services in and out of the Nairobi city suburbs. the usually seat 20-35 passengers (no standing passengers allowed by law) and are a cleaner and less hectic mode of transport than matatus, while still plying much of the same routes. By matatu Matatus are privately operated minibuses, typically for 14 passengers and operating over short and medium distances. Travel by matatu can be risky as the vehicles are sometimes extremely badly driven, with matatu drivers swerving in and out of traffic and stopping at a moment's notice by the side of the road for passengers. Some are poorly maintained but many are to be found in fascinating and colourful decor. Previously matatus were usually packed to well over capacity – up to 25 people in a 14-seater vehicle – but in recent years there has been increased government regulation and policing of matatus especially in the larger cities, such that most matatus now provide seatbelts and do not exceed the vehicle's stated capacity. An unfortunate side-effect of better regulation has been a loss of individuality and character of some of the vehicles, and drivers and conductors are now obliged to wear set uniforms. Tourists should be especially careful that they are wearing the seatbelts provided, unless they wish to find themselves taken on an inconvenient unscheduled trip from a road checkpoint to the police station. Although most matatus ply their trade along set routes, it is often possible outside of major towns to charter a matatu on the spot as a taxi to your your desired destination – make sure you have categorically confirmed your negotiated price and exact destination before the vehicle goes anywhere, or you may find yourself in the shadier areas of Nairobi at night at the mercy of an indignant matatu driver. Matatus provide a very cheap and quick method of transport in all the major towns and many rural areas. The name matatu hails from the Kiswahili word for the number three – tatu – because some time ago the standard fare was three ten cent coins. By Train The Kenya-Uganda railway starts from Mombasa via Nairobi to Kampala, Uganda. This is the famous "Lunatic Express" & was also featured in the Michael Douglas starrer "The Ghost and the Darkness". By Jeep If you have some experience with travelling in developing countries, you can hire a jeep and drive through Kenya. By Rental Car Most worldwide rental agencies have offices in Nairobi and Mombasa, and these offer expensive but reliable cars with a full back-up network. Getting around in Kenya,especially for out of the city roads,though Kenya does have a lovely country side,the roads are nasty.Advice rent a car/jeep to get you there.