Getting around Kenya

Planes, trains, automobiles and more… what’s the best way to travel around the beautiful country of Kenya? Find out in our guide.

Flying is the easiest way to travel around the country. Other methods can be difficult and unreliable. As well as Kenya Airways, there are also countless small charter flights that can take you to your chosen destination. The charters are ideal for visiting some of the more remote parts of the country. Looking down on Kenya’s stunning scenery from the skies and watching its wildlife in its natural setting is an experience to be savoured.

If you’re travelling for work during the tourist season, book in advance to make sure that you get a seat. Wilson Airport, south of Nairobi, is the place to source a charter. You can bring the price of the fare down by making a group booking.

For domestic air travel look up:

• Jambo Jet
• Mombasa Air Safari
• Fly 540
• Airkenya
• Safarilink

Bikes are useful

As you’re navigating the busy streets in any Kenyan town, you’ll soon notice the popularity of the humble bicycle. If you want to stay alive, it’s a good idea to dismount from your bike when you hear a car roaring up behind you. Bike hire is growing in popularity and costs about Ksh600 per day.

Explore Kenya by bus

Buses are popular throughout Kenya and are one of the most useful forms of transport to reach some of the more remote destinations, or even between major cities. The 481km journey between Nairobi and Mombasa costs Khs600. You can even take a bus to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania or Kampala in Uganda; look out for the Modern Coast Express for these type of long-distance journeys, and make sure that you book your journey a day in advance.

Other bus operators include:

• Coastline Safaris
• Busways
• Easy Coach
• Dreamline Executive

Bring your own or hire a vehicle?

Seasoned drivers in Africa may want to bring their own cars when they settle in Kenya. However, as Kenyans have a reputation for being some of the most dangerous drivers in the world, you may be taking your life in your hands – literally. If you’re at all nervous look for another option. You’ll also have problems if your car breaks down, as many Kenyan garages won’t have spare parts for your vehicle and the charges can be astronomic.

If you have decided to bring your own vehicle then you must have your vehicle registration documents, the correct insurance and your driving licence. If you contact your local motoring organisation before you leave for Kenya they should be able to advise you which spare parts you should include; a spare gearbox is useful. List all these parts on an international Carnet de passage de Douane so that you don’t end up paying hefty import charges.

Shipping costs for cars can be very expensive. You won’t only have to pay for the cost of sending your car from one country to another, but you’ll also have to pay additional port costs for getting the car off the ship and into the port. This fee can be as high as US$1,000.

Petrol costs vary throughout Kenya, the more remote the area, the higher the price of fuel. Kenyan law demands that you carry a fire extinguisher and a fire triangle always.

Hiring your transport

Car hire can also be expensive. According to Lonely Planet you’ll have to show your passport and driving licence when arranging the hire and you’ll also have to be over 25 years of age. The more reputable the hire company, the more likely you are to end up with a roadworthy machine. You’ll also have to find out what happens should the hire car break down. Not all companies will send you a replacement, so you may be stranded for quite some time. Four-wheel drives are recommended, they’re more forgiving on dirt tracks than other models but the hire costs around US$80 per day. There are also insurance costs – should your hire car get stolen or be involved in a collision you’ll have an insurance excess to pay. Finally, you’ll also have to pay VAT at 16%.

Hire your driver

An easier option is to hire a driver, the costs for this are lower than arranging a hire car for yourself. You’ll also be in the safe hands of a local who knows the area, speaks Swahili, and will look after you. Insurance costs are covered by the driver’s company and the price for your ‘chauffeur’ will amount to a maximum of US$50 a day. When paying for your hire, always pay in person as the Kenyan authorities are aware of some online scams.

Enjoy an adventure, use a Matatu

If you’ve ever seen a film or news clip about Kenya, with a clapped-out minibus full of people in the background, then you’ve caught the visual glory of a matatu. These vehicles are mainly used by the locals, but if you really want to enjoy a Kenyan travel experience, then you should try this form of transport. Fares are cheap and using the matatu is a novel way of travelling on short hops across Nairobi, or longer journeys outside the city.

You’ll also recognise tuk-tuks across Kenya. Be prepared to haggle for the price of your fare.

Taxis are in use right across the country. As most Kenyan taxis don’t have functioning meters, or any meters at all, state the fare that you’re willing to pay for your journey before you set off. If the driver agrees, then you’re good to go. In large cities it’s always a clever idea to book your taxi in advance.

Trains can take the strain out of travelling

Kenya’s once magnificent railway has been in a decline in recent years, but renewed investment in the service led to the opening of the Nairobi–Mombasa express in 2017. Funded to the tune of US$3.2 billion by the Chinese, the railways opened 18 months earlier than planned and has cut an 18-hour journey down to four hours. An extra US$3.6 billion has also been secured from the Chinese to be invested in the rail infrastructure. Fares on the new service are Khs900 for economy class and Khs3,033 for a business class ticket.

In general, travelling around Kenya is akin to an adventure. If you’re travelling for business, then you should plan ahead. The last thing you want is to be stuck at a charter airport because you forgot to book your plane seat or stranded in the middle of nowhere because either your own car or your hire car has broken down.

Our Kenya Destination Guide covers everything, from finding a home to business etiquette. Learn more about this stunning country here.