Travel Between Kenya and Tanzania
Neighbours Kenya and Tanzania share a border, but feel quite distinct. Many tours begin in the vast urban sprawl of Nairobi, but much of rural Kenya remains quite undeveloped, with northern Tanzania even more so.
Only very basic English is spoken in Tanzania, particularly outside urban centres. In terms of a holiday experience, Kenya is an old hand when it comes to tourism, while Tanzania is significantly less economically advanced.
This interesting contrast is one reason for travelling in both countries, another is the chance to experience a variety of unforgettable locations, including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Masai Mara and Lake Victoria in one trip.
Happily, they form a loop encircling the border, with distances between each manageable by road. It means you can tick off the Big Five, spot the Great Migration somewhere at any time of year, and meet the Maasai, all without taking a flight – so long as you can handle some long drives on bumpy roads.
2 Ways to travel Between Kenya and Tanzania
Air
Tanzania and Kenya is connected to the world by a network of international airports, most of which are located in or adjacent to the region’s major cities. Most major towns in different Partner States also possess smaller airports.
Finding a cheap flight anywhere around the world is not always easy. It’s about comparing platforms, selecting the right routes and booking at the right time. Fortunately, platforms like Skyscanner became known as an all-in-one tool for booking flights at the lowest cost possible.
Road
With several crossing points along the border and direct bus connections in between, traveling overland from Kenya to Tanzania is easy, fast and cheap.
There are 5 border crossings connecting Kenya to Tanzania. However, from these 5 crossings, 2 of them are mostly used by travelers visiting Kilimanjaro, Serengeti or going straight to Dar es Salaam.
The borders to Tanzania are: Lunga Lunga Mombasa to Tanga, Taveta Mombasa to Kilimanjaro, Loitoktok to Kilimanjaro, Namanga Nairobi to Arusha, Isebania to Serengeti
Traveling Overland to Tanzania from Kenya
Shuttles from Nairobi to Arusha
Taking the shuttle bus is the most budget-friendly way to travel from Arusha, Tanzania to Nairobi, Kenya. As a result of the Namanga immigration border stop, it can take about 4 hours with a private car and about 6 hours with the shuttle bus. The journey didn’t feel as long as I expected probably because I slept through most of the journey. While I was still awake, I saw some lovely scenic views along the way.
Private Transfers
Kenya Tanzania Private shuttles offers daily private transfers from Kenya to Tanzania and Vice versa via All borders between Tanzania and Kenya. Safety is on the top of everyone’s mind these days and getting into a vehicle that is not your own can be unsettling. We aim to give our customers the peace of mind they deserve when traveling. Not only are our vehicles sanitized and disinfected, but our drivers are all professionally trained and screened.
Public Buses
There are several buses from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam. Most of them leave at around 5 am and arrive at around 9 pm. You can get tickets at the company’s office in Nairobi. . Dar Lux is one of the best bus companies operating between Kenya and Tanzania. The company offers passenger services to major destinations like Nairobi, Dodoma, Dar Es Salaam, Tanga, Arusha, Mombasa, and Namanga.
Travelling between Masai Mara and Serengeti
Crossing At Isebania
You can cross the border just west of the Masai Mara and Serengeti (between Kenya and Tanzania) at a little border post called Isebania. The problem with the route through Isebania is that the road on both sides of the border is very bumpy and uncomfortable. Moreover, the total time taken to travel from Mara to Isebania and then to a camp in Serengeti could take over half a day. This doesn’t include the time that might be wasted at the border, which could constitute about an hour to a few hours, depending on the traffic at the border. An overnight stay will usually be required in this route.
Crossing At Namanga
Namanga route is a better option for those wanting to avoid paying for flights and still wish to enjoy a safari in both countries. The problem with the route through Namanga is that it’s pretty far away from both the areas as well, even though the ride through this route is a bit more comfortable. Another problem with road travel includes the fact that you need to purchase a permit for vehicles when crossing the border. This can cost you a lot! If you’re not driving yourself, you can cross the border on foot and then request another travel agency to pick you up from the other side of the border.
By Air From Masai Mara To Serengeti
Flying is the best and most popular mode of transport from Masai Mara to Serengeti National Park. One of the ways you can travel through air is by flying to the Migori Airstrip on the Kenyan side of the border, near Isebania, then crossing the border at Isebania. After that, a car will meet you on the other side of the border and take you to the Tarime airstrip, through which you can fly to the airstrips in Serengeti National Park. However, this service is available only during the peak tourist season! The exact flight time cannot be said for sure because it all depends on how long the queue at the border is.
Entry requirements
Fortunately, Tanzania and Kenya have a very clear and simple visa policy for most nationalities entering their countries.
In Tanzania, travelers from almost every nationality outside Africa can apply for a visa on arrival at any of the border crossings (either air or land). The process is very straightforward and since most travelers crossing overland are coming from neighboring countries (which usually are visa exempt), there is not queues that will slow you down and frustrate you.
The visa on arrival in Tanzania has a cost of 50 USD and payment is only cash. Even though it is mentioned that payment can only be in US dollars, Tanzanian shillings are also accepted at a very bad rate. In case you hold Kenyan currency, you can also get either Tanzanian shillings or USD at a very bad rate from the vendors around.
Additionally, Tanzania has an e-visa application process for those who want to skip the line. However, many travelers have complained about the payment process of the platform and in my opinion, it is way easier to simply get your visa on arrival.
On the other hand, travelers going from Tanzania to Kenya should take into consideration that Kenya does NOT have a visa on arrival policy. Travelers from all nationalities are required to apply for a e-visa at the Electronic Visa Kenya website. The process is also quite straightforward, price is 51 USD for a single entry visa and you will get a reply in 2-3 days (in most cases).
Planning to extend your trip around Africa? Another option for travelers interested in exploring Uganda or Rwanda after their visit in Kenya is applying for an East African Tourist Visa. It allows multiple entry in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda for 90 days and it costs 101 USD. Applications can be done online in just a few clicks and a reply should arrive in 3-4 days after submitting payment.
Border Crossing
There are 5 border crossings connecting Kenya to Tanzania. However, from these 5 crossings, 2 of them are mostly used by travelers visiting Kilimanjaro, Serengeti or going straight to Dar es Salaam.
Lunga Lunga Border Mombasa to Tanga
Located in the easternmost part of Kenya, Lunga Lunga is the border cross that connects Mombasa with Tanga and Dar es Salaam.
Bus companies like Mash, Modern Coast, Tahmeed and TSS Express have daily departures from Mombasa to Dar es Salaam and the bus connection takes anything between 10 to 12 hours. You can book with most of these companies tickets in advanced.
Taveta – Holili Border Mombasa to Tanga
This border crossing connects Mombasa with Moshi/Arusha. There are several mini buses connecting the cities in between. However, with no direct connections, keep in mind that planning to cross this border might require extra planning and lots of time.
Even though Taveta seems the best connection between Mombasa and Arusha, it might not. If you are in Mombasa and need to get to Arusha, traveling from Mombasa to Nairobi and then from Nairobi to Arusha via Namanga will be the best choice.
Namanga Border Nairobi to Arusha
This border crossing connects Mombasa with Moshi/Arusha. There are several mini buses connecting the cities in between. However, with no direct connections, keep in mind that planning to cross this border might require extra planning and lots of time.
Even though Taveta seems the best connection between Mombasa and Arusha, it might not. If you are in Mombasa and need to get to Arusha, traveling from Mombasa to Nairobi and then from Nairobi to Arusha via Namanga will be the best choice.
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