Driving in Kenya and Tanzania

wadewade

Has anyone any experience of driving in these countries? Friends are looking to drive from Dodomo in Tanzania to Nairobi and return and we are not sure how safe this will be? Also are they likely to have any problems with immigration or customs when they cross the border? Any information on driving out there would be much appreciated. Thanks.

wadewade

Have I defeated everybody? Any experience of driving in Kenya or Tanzania in the last few years would be very useful as I have heard one or two frightening stories about the dangers. Thanks

Sheel

Found THIS and THIS and THIS

Went to Kenya in 1997 and the roads were pretty dire and I personally wouldn't want to drive there myself , but that's just me , a bit of a wuss about that sort of thing

Counting_Pennies_2

I went just under 10 years ago, so I may be totally out of touch.

I was only 21 so not terribly worldly wise and stayed with an English family who lived just outside Dar es Salaam.

I personally thought it was very dangerous. No one stopped at traffic lights through fear of attack. I saw things that frightened me at the roadside, I won't go into them here.

We travelled to one of the national parks and it took us two days of travelling, and I am pleased we had a guard with us.

There are some areas that are ok, but if you don't know the area or travel with someone who does, I personally wouldn't travel in my own transport.

There were signs up everywhere saying 'muggings beware'. Beaches were deserted, no one goes on them, apparently muggings are rife there. I didn't realise and started having a stroll down the beach outside the front of the place we were staying, and had the two guard dogs bounding after me and the entire household screaching for my return to the gates of the house.

As I say things might have improved in the last 10 years but I wouldn't chance it myself.

What I was looking to do for when I planned to return a couple of years later was an overlander trip, you will find details of them on the internet and adventure/travel magazines. These are organised truck tours where you take it in turns to work for your keep during the trip. Cooking cleaning driving etc.

I ended up meeting my future husband a few days before I was due to travel out to Tanzania for the second time, and decided to cancel the trip and that is where my knowledge with Tanzania stops.

HTH

Counting_Pennies_2

I forgot to say, driving with other traffic about is so funny. No one really takes notice of what side of the road to travel on if you are in the 'rural spots'. You just weave your way past pedestrians, and continually honk your horn at every person you pass to ensure they know you are there. The local roads tend to be mud tracks, I can't even liken them to farm tracks, much worse definitely need your 4x4 and expect a numb bum with all the bumping up and down. When I returned home I found myself honking my horn at everyone I drove past!

In Dar the roads are really very good, just amazing seeing trucks with people standing in every available spot, and buses so crammed that you don't think another person could get on and then another ten effortlessly pile in.

When on the 'main' roads our equivalent to a B road, there equivalent to a motorway, the roads tend to be fairly pot hole free but the odd one often comes along to surprise you.

When a vehicle breaks down (normally a lorry overturning for travelling too fast, or bumping into an elephant) branches of trees are laid in the road for a couple of yards to warn motorists. (Then you just need to watch out for the wounded elephant who isn't in a very good mood!)

Sorry this all just came to me and was quite entertaining remembering it all, so wanted to write it as I remembered the experience!

SallyD

I was in in Kenya last April. Mmmmmmm, Driving? For example the main road from Nakuru to Nairobi is equivalent to our M25 it is just so busy, loads of pot holes. Lorries are so over laden that there are frequent holdups when one turns over and looters jump out of nowhere to grab and run. Road-blocks on most roads from town to town so plenty of extra cash will be needed to pay your way through ! You have to remember that these roadblocks run by the local police supplement their income. Wherever you go you will come across big pot holes - no-one ever seems to fill them in. Hell is driving along in the pitch black, pouring with rain and massive pot holes.My driver carried a gun and in the sweltering heat we had the doors and windows locked.
You must not wear any jewellery. Reports daily tell you of the jewellery snatches especially when you are in the traffic jams getting in and out of Nairobi - my pal, an Kenyan Asian has been left with a nasty scar after having had her necklace ripped viciously from her. Both she and her husband are teachers, live in a modest home, yet have to have security guards. I travelled quite a fair distance,kept my money well hidden,carried a knife and paid the hotel security staff to go some way towards not getting robbed of my possessions. Do not use the room safes if you stay in hotels. After a couple of hours of being in the country you will soon realise why you are a prime target for robbers. Not looking like a tourist will go a long way for your safety, be confident yet cautious. All in all I enjoyed my experience my eyes were certainly opened up but I would only go back if I had to. Make sure you carry a mobile phone,the phone number of the British Consulate and it would be handy to find out if there are any UK Army bases in the areas you will be travelling.