matatu in kenya
domestic flights: Kenya has a good domestic flight network, with airlines such as Kenya Airways, Air Kenya, Mombasa Air Safari, Fly 540, Safari-link and East African Safari Air. These airlines serve the coast, major game parks and Western Kenya. National air taxes included in the ticket or charter costs. Many domestic charter airlines operate in Kenya. These companies offer individual or group charter flights on a variety of aircraft. Air charter is an ideal way to visit remote areas or avoid long journeys.
Most charter companies will charge a flat fee for a trip, regardless of the number of passengers. Private and public airstrips across the country are accessible to charter companies.
Taxi services in Nairobi: Kenya – In Nairobi, Mombasa, and other large Kenyan cities, taxis are widely available and convenient. Taxis are often parked on the street around hotels and tourist areas. Hotels and restaurants can call taxis if necessary. Nairobi taxis are usually marked with a yellow line on each side.
Taxis are not metered and a price must be agreed with the driver prior to departure. Ask for advice locally or at your hotel for the correct rates.
In Nairobi and Mombasa there are several companies that operate Dial Taxi services with phone reservations, modern vehicles, competent drivers and reasonable rates. Several taxi companies have reservation offices at the airports. In Kisumu, Cycle Rickshaws and Bicycle Taxis are popular. They are known locally as ‘Border-Borders’ as they were a popular means of accessing the nearby Ugandan border.
Bus service: Buses can be boarded at any stop and tickets can be purchased on board. Buses also run regularly between most cities and towns. There are several bus companies with extensive networks between countries. Buses also cross the borders into Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia. Buses are an inexpensive way to travel around the country. Some private bus companies now offer private bus transportation services between Nairobi and Mombasa and Nairobi and Arusha, Tanzania, as well as the city’s airports.
Matatu: The most popular form of public transport in Kenya is the Matatu, which has become a national icon and a large part of modern Kenyan culture. A matatu is a minibus, usually a Nissan (the name comes from the original 30-cent fare, “Matongolo Matatu”).
Matatus operates on set routes and picks up as many passengers as possible both at the start and along the way. Matatus normally has a crew of two, a driver and a ‘tout’ who try to encourage as many passengers as possible to board and collect their fares, using an impressive cash management and management system in which tickets from different denominations between the fingers.
Vehicles are also often spectacularly painted with designs based on Western album covers and sports logos.
driving:Visitors to Kenya can drive with an international driver’s license. Driving is on the left side and drivers must yield to traffic on the right. Distances are measured and marked in kilometers and gasoline/diesel is sold by the liter. Road conditions are variable and can be very bad in remote areas. Make sure your vehicle is suitable for driving on rough roads before you set out on a journey.
Driving at night is not recommended in most areas. Rental cars are widely available in Nairobi, Mombasa and other large cities. Before renting a car, all legalities must be thoroughly checked and the corresponding contracts and waivers must be signed. Most car rental companies charge a fixed rate per kilometer or unlimited.
Sea: The Kenyan coast is open to both commercial and private shipping. There are several popular anchorage points for yachts including Mtwapa, Kilifi, Mnarani and Lamu.
Those who land must process immigration locally. It is possible to join dhows for short cruises or longer trips along the coast. Some tour companies or hotels can arrange this, or you can make private arrangements with a dhow captain.
Cycling: Long-distance cycling is possible in Kenya, but cyclists should be prepared to be very alert and wary of traffic on the main roads. There are many possibilities for off-road and mountain biking in Kenya. Anyone seriously considering cycling in Kenya should come fully prepared and equipped with a repair kit and a few spare parts. This will make roadside repairs much easier. Competent bicycle “fundis” (mechanics) are generally found in most cities.
In many tourist areas, you can rent bikes for a day or half a day. This is a good way to explore some areas. Hell’s Gate National Park is a very popular destination for cyclists. Bikes can be hired locally and there are paths and trails through the park, giving visitors the chance to cycle through herds of wild animals.
Lane: Kenya has a rail connection between Nairobi-Mombasa and Nairobi-Kisumu. It is also possible to take the train to Kampala. The Nairobi-Mombasa Overnight Train Journey is the most popular rail route for visitors. Tickets can be purchased at Nairobi railway stations or in advance through local travel agencies. Kenya Railways is currently awaiting a planned upgrade of facilities and rolling stock.
The railway line between the coast and Nairobi has a long and colorful history. Anyone interested in the history of Kenyan railways should visit the Nairobi Railway Museum.