From the airport to the city centre Kenya
Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is located 15 kilometers from the city center. If you have the means, air travel is the easiest way to get around Kenya. Indeed, between a six-hour chaotic and dusty drive and a one-hour flight, air travel makes a good argument. From Wilson airport, located near the Karen district, around 3 km south of the city center, Air Kenya offers several daily flights to Diani, Malindi, Nanyuki and Lamu, as well as to the parks and reserves of Samburu, Maasai Mara and Amboseli. There are also charter companies serving all the country's parks aboard small twin-engine aircraft. If there's more than one of you, prices are very competitive. They are also based at Wilson airport. Safarilink and Jambo Jet serve several towns and all the main national parks. Other low-cost airlines offer daily flights to all the country's cities.
In Nairobi, to reach the city center from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, allow between 20 minutes and 1 hour by car, depending on traffic. The easiest way is to take one of the many cabs waiting outside the terminals. Fares are relatively high; you can reach the city center during the day for Ksh 1,500-1,800, and between Ksh 2,000 and 2,500 for the outlying districts. Another practical and inexpensive option is the KBS (Kenya Bus Service - bus no. 34) shuttle bus, which stops in front of the Ambassadeur Hotel on Moi Avenue. Cabs from Wilson Airport cost between 1,000 and 1,500 Ksh. Uber fares are lower.
Arrival by train Kenya
Kenya's railway network dates back to colonial times, and has never really been maintained since independence, meaning that the lines are generally abandoned, when they're not reserved for the rare transport of goods. With the exception of the new train line linking Nairobi to Mombasa, inaugurated in 2017, which now replaces the railway line built by the British over 100 years ago. The Madaraka Express is the successor to the Lunatic Express. The journey between the two cities now takes 5 hours (instead of 15 hours previously), with morning trains stopping at all stations and afternoon and evening trains running direct. It's worth noting that this line crosses the Tsavo from east to west, and represents a unique safari train experience, as it's not uncommon to be able to observe elephants, zebras and giraffes from your seat. The new train is the first stage in a vast rail project that will link Uganda and Rwanda, and eventually Ethiopia and South Sudan. The line is already operational as far as Suswa.
Public transport Kenya
It's the cheapest form of transport, and the most likely to allow you to take the time to soak up the Kenyan rhythm, to meet people and to contemplate. All the country's major cities are linked by various bus companies and a multitude of matatus (minibuses). Bus journeys are generally a little longer than those by matatu, but are reputed to be safer. In both cases, you'll need to be brave, as some of them can travel at dizzying speeds. In fact, some bus companies have set a speed limit of 80 km/h to reduce the risk of accidents and preserve their reputation. To use the bus or matatu, simply go to the bus station in each town and board the vehicle corresponding to your destination. Your destination is usually displayed on a sign on the roof of the matatu. Departure times, and especially arrival times, vary considerably. As for the matatus, they leave when full (14 passengers).
Bike, scooters & co Kenya
Don't rely on bicycles or scooters to get around town. Instead, boda-boda or piki-piki, Kenya's motorcycle cabs, have invaded the country. In town, as in the countryside, this means of transport competes fervently with the matatus. Very practical for avoiding traffic jams and for short distances. Drivers are generally cautious and can even take you across tracks, but passenger helmets are not compulsory, so it's best not to be too fussy about safety. Some travellers who leave for a long stay in Kenya invest in a motorcycle on arrival (a basic Honda costs US$1,000) and sell it on departure. A tempting option for lovers of absolute freedom, as long as you skip the national parks and are an experienced driver, used to African driving and well insured. As for cyclists, they'll find what they're looking for in Nairobi's Karura forest, in the Limuru region, which offers incredible views of tea plantations, in Diani, Malindi or Watamu, a good way to explore the coast, or in Naivasha, where many lodges offer mountain bike hire to explore the Hells Gate National Park. Cyclists can even consider a multi-day mountain bike safari; some local agencies offer eco-safaris on foot, bike or horseback.
With a driver Kenya
Convenient for driving in and around major cities. Prices are quite high, but drivers are generally honest and don't try to rip you off. There are no meters in the vehicles, so agree on the fare before you get in. There are several cab companies. The safest, most comfortable and most expensive, of course, are the cabs you'll find just outside the major hotels. Uber has also entered the Kenyan market, and in Nairobi it works very well! A phone with a local chip is essential.
By car Kenya
The car is the most practical and pleasant way to discover Kenya, but also the most expensive. You enjoy a great deal of freedom of movement, which is absolutely not the case when traveling in a group. However, if you opt for this solution, you must expect certain constraints and meet certain conditions. If you meet them, you can embark on your adventure alone, and you won't regret it. However, if all this scares you, but you still want to visit Kenya on your own, you have the option of hiring a chauffeur-driven vehicle. All rental companies offer this solution. Of course, you won't be alone in the middle of the savannah, but your driver will generally be familiar with the country's main itineraries and, in the event of a mechanical problem, you'll be glad to have him by your side. What's more, the state of the roads and the way Kenyans drive require a definite sense of anticipation and good reflexes, not to mention Nairobi's gigantic traffic jams, which are a delight for street vendors, much less for drivers whose minds can be put to the test when they're not used to it. If you plan to rent a vehicle to visit parks and reserves, a 4x4 is highly recommended, if not compulsory.
