Crossborder Shuttle Bus Travel between Kenya and Tanzania (Namanga)

6-days Mt. Kilimanjaro Machame route Solo Climb in Tanzania
July 14 to July 21, 2014

Mt. Kilimanjaro Machame route Planning & Hike Preparation

Namanga is a border town between Kenya and Tanzania, 180 km from Nairobi and 120km from Arusha. The town lies mostly in Kenya. Crossing the Namanga border can be hectic (it’s often busy) but the process is fairly easy. This crossing is busiest when the intertown and shuttle buses are passing, typically 9:30-11:00 and 15:30 to 16:30. The process that usually happens on this border; police checkpoint (90% likely in Kenya, 10% in Tanzania – you may just be waved through), outgoing immigration for all passengers, out-going customs for passengers / vehicle – baggage + departure form for vehicle if you’re driving and incoming visa applications (entry/exit). Immigration officials may ‘forget’ to give you a receipt for your visa – make sure you get one. This is particularly common on the Kenyan side, but becoming less of an issue. BE CAREFUL OF THE FIXERS.

SHUTTLE BUS TRAVEL FROM NAIROBI CITY, KENYA TO ARUSHA, TANZANIA
 
Nairobi to Arusha bus travel time took approximately 6 hours including the stop-overs, crossborder checkpoints and arrival/departure visas. Shuttles depart from the Silver Spring hotel (Impala Shuttle) or from the centre of town near the Parkside Hotel, on Muindu Mbingu street opposite Jeevanjee gardens (Riverside and other shuttles). Report to the bus at least 15 minutes before departure especially if you have bulky luggage. Some shuttle companies will pick you up at a central hotel if you are staying there. Road conditions are excellent.

0700H    Breakfast
0800H    ETD Central Nairobi, Kenya
1200H    Namanga Border (Kenya departure stamp / Tanzania arrival stamp)
1400H    ETA Arusha town, Tanzania

Crossborder shuttle bus travel from Kenya to Tanzania via Namanga (visa forms)

Kenya last part; Masai Mara Safari Adventure Day-3

3-days Masai Mara Safari Solo Adventure in Kenya
July 11 to July 13, 2014

Kenya 2nd part; Masai Mara Safari Adventure Day-2

Today was the last day of 3-days saga to the one of best things to do in a Bucket list on every traveler's idea. In earlier years, Safari trip was a big-game hunt, but today, safari often refers to trips to observe and photograph wildlife—or hiking and sight-seeing. I'm the only one in our group that availed the 3D/2N trip, all of them booked for 3D/2N tour. Today was just a morning tour for me ended up 1000H. 

Day-3: Masai Mara to Central Nairobi

On this morning, enjoy a pre-breakfast game drive between 6.30 a.m and 9 a.m. After this, return to the camp for a hot breakfast after which we begin our journey back to Nairobi where the Kenya Camping Safari ends. Morning game drives then proceed to Nairobi to arrive by 1600 hrs where the safari ends.

3day/2nights package includes; Transport in a 9 seater custom made Tour van with a pop up roof - each person is guaranteed a window seat; Services of a professional English, Spanish, German speaking guides; Game drives as per the itinerary; Game parks or national parks entry fees; Accommodations in self contained Tents fitted with camp beds/Linen is provided; Three meals per day whilst on safari, prepared by Cook

Price excludes: Drinks; Tipping; Kenya Visas; Hotel accommodation in Nairobi before and after the safari

KENYA MASAI MARA SAFARI ADVENTURE ACTUAL ITINERARY DAY THREE

0600H    Breakfast
0630H    ETD Masai Mara Choi
0700H    ETA Masai Mara National Reserve Park Oldolaimutia Gate
1000H    ETD Masai Mara National Reserve Park and Van transfer
1330H    Narok stop-over for lunch (included)
1730H    ETA Hotel Embassy, Central Nairobi
 

Kenya's Masai Mara Safari Adventure last day of 3D/2N trip (lion)

Kenya 1st part; Masai Mara Safari Adventure Day-1

3-days Masai Mara Safari Solo Adventure in Kenya
July 11 to July 13, 2014

Nairobi Airport arrival in early morning

On my confirmed booking to Wild Race Africa travel tours, the only communication we had before my Kenya arrival was the email. Upon finishing the Immigration process, I immediately went to Exit and saw my name was written in a piece of paper raised by a local. I walked with him going to a car and advised we will be going first to the office located in Central Nairobi for briefing and wait for other tourist to arrive. Travel time was around 30 minutes only and I'm the only passenger. I took a nap first because it was 0600H then, agreed Nairobi departure was 0900H. 

Day-1: Nairobi City to Masai Mara Reserve
Pick up from your place of stay in Nairobi at 8am and after a brief stop-over at our offices, for briefing purposes, depart for a journey south along the floor of the Great Rift Valley with a pit stop at the View Point for breath taking view of the rift valley. You can take photos and buy souvenirs as you listen to African tales about the formation of the rift valley. Arrive at Masai Mara in the late afternoon and enjoy a game drive till twilight. Dinner and overnight at Rhino Tourist Mara tented camp, our Masai Mara accommodation. Depart from Nairobi in the morning and drive along the floor of the Rift Valley to Masai Mara arriving at the camp in the afternoon for lunch. Afternoon game drives followed by dinner and overnight stay at Mara Sidai Camp or Enchoro Camp 

KENYA MASAI MARA SAFARI ADVENTURE ACTUAL ITINERARY DAY ONE
0430H    ETA Nairobi Airport arrival from Cairo, Egypt
0515H    ETD Nairobi Airport exit, picked-up by Travel Agency staff
0600H    ETA Travel Agency Office
0900H    ETD Central Nairobi
1100H    ETA Short Stop for Great Rift Valley Viewing Deck
1230H    ETA Narok for lunch (included in booked tour)
1600H    ETA Masai Mara Choi (Safari Camp)
1630H    ETA Masai Mara National Reserve Park Oldolaimutia Gate
1900H    ETA Masai Mara Choi, Dinner and sleep

Kenya's Masai Mara Safari Adventure Day-1 (lioness)

3 Days Masai Mara Safari Solo Adventure in Kenya

the Season of Great Wildebeest Migration and Big Cats Photoshoot
July 11 to July 13, 2014

“In a country where only men are encouraged, one must be one's own inspiration.” ― Tegla Loroupe

My 37th country to visit, 33rd solo backpacking trip, 3rd country to visit in Africa, 1st part of 11-days East Africa adventure and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

Although one of Africa's more powerful economies, Kenya is still a developing country, and so certain aspects of the country's society and infrastructure may come as a shock to some visitors from developed countries who are unfamiliar with the poverty and poor quality of life experienced by locals. Kenyans understandably pursue the business opportunities offered by tourism with a zeal that may be off putting to some visitors, but are usually open, talkative and friendly once business matters have been settled.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Kenya

A safari is an overland journey, usually a trip by tourists to Africa. Traditionally, the trip was a big-game hunt, but today, safari often refers to trips to observe and photograph wildlife—or hiking and sight-seeing. The Swahili word safari means long journey, originally from the Arabic "safarīyah" meaning a journey. The verb for "to travel" in Swahili is "kusafiri", the noun for the journey is "safari".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safari

3-days Masai Mara Safari Solo Adventure in Kenya (countless zebras and wildebeests)