BootsnAll Travel Community

So I am planning my first trip to Africa this summer and am going to Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi. My whole trip will be about 4 weeks. I want to do a shorter safari (4 days +/-) and climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. I have a buddy in Malawi who I want to meet up with. Is it possible to ground travel from Nairobi to Malawi?? Or am I just crazy?? Then back up towards the mountain? Any advice regarding transportation is greatly appreciated. Also tips on safaris, places to stay, basically anything. Trying to maintain a decent budget. Suggestions for the trip completely welcome!! Rough estimates also welcome. Oh and what is the minimum I would need to bring (low-maintenance person obviously) Thanks so much I love this website!

My suggestion is you take a Scandinavia Express bus from Nairobi to Dar Es Salaam, the Tazara train from Dar to Mbeya, southern Tanzania. Take a taxi from Mbeya to the border and on from there to, say, Lilongwe.

I'm pretty sure you can take a bus straight from Dar to Lilongwe but that one sounds like a killer. I did the above route and it took me 3-4 days in total.

Back up again? Have no idea, never went back.

I found this blogger's packing advice to be quite helpful: http://blogs.bootsnall.com/snarkyinla/cmon-dont-you-rea...pack-a-backpack.html

I did the exact thing that Kotte did as far as transport. The train is a lot slower and usually delays, but what a nicer way to travel. Don't forget to go to Nkata(sp?) Bay and all along the gorgeous lake. Border crossing are always sketchy, just don't believe all the people that you can't exchange money on the Malawi side. You can, there is a registered booth to change out your shillings next to the Malawi border control office. And don't trust the men that come up to you telling you they can take you all the way from Mbeya to Lil. on their bus. The most trustworthy people are the people that you solicit advice from at the bus station. Not the ones that come up to you! Other than that the people are beautiful and wonderful and what a great experience!

Yeah, train is the way to go. Its terribly slow and unreliable but a non-stop bus will kill you for the rest of your week. As far as Safaris go I would recommend doing one on Authentic Tanzania in Selous Reserve south of Morogoro, Tanzania. Culturally the area is awesome, the park was gorgeous and we saw pretty much everything (Elephants, Hippos, Lions, Zebras and tons more) in just one day. I really wouldn't have wanted to spend more time looking at Animals but Selous was a good place since there were only two other Jeeps we ran into all day. It was well worth the trip. Culturally the area around is awesome, and the guide was ready to show us that, they though it was strange that we wanted to see so much of that but they were happy to share. They were also very flexible and the accommodating.

Hey,

I just posted the following to the Travel Buddy forum. Let me know if you are interested...

hello,

looking for 2 more to join us on safari in Tanzania and Kenya for the great migration in July. I went in Jan 2007 and it was amazing even without the migration.

I'm working on the itinerary with my guide in Tanzania... below are the preliminary plans. I'd like to shave off a few days and a few bucks.

So far there are two of us going. 2 guys from Southern California. One in San Diego, one in LA.

please let me know if you are interested in joining this trip.
------------------
Hi Jason . as I promised yesterday please find new plan !!! NB: SINCE WILL BE CAMPING WILL HAVE A BIG CHANCE OF CHANGING PROGRAMMES ACCORDING TO THE HERDS OF MIGRATION , BUT I ALSO AGREE WITH YOU THAT HAVING KENYA PART IS A VERY GOOD IDEA .



Day 1: Arrival JKA -- Nairobi transfer to the hotel in town B/B.

Day2,3,4&5. Maasai Mara -- will be making followup for crossing .

Day6 &7.--- Driving to Tanzania serengeti overnights Ikoma Camp western corridor.

Day8 &9---- Lobo Camping -- Northern part of serengeti

NB: DAY 7,8 &9 . WILL BE FOLLOWING CROSSING IN MARA RIVER.

Day10. Game view enroute , dinner and overnight Simba Camp.

Day11&12. Will be in lake eyasi , will go hunting small animals with Hadzabe people ( HUNTERS &GATHERES ) AND VISIT DATOGA TRIBE .

Day13. Drive to Mto wa mbu and make game drive in lake Manyara National park

Overnight camp in Mto wa mbu .

Day14. Drive to Arusha , shopping on the way , drop for the shuttle to Nairobi . Overght in Hotel in Nairobi B/B.


COSTS : INCLUSIVE OF TRANSPORT, CAMPING FEES , PARK FEES , CRATER SERVICE FEE, CAMPING FULL BOARD , MINERAL WATER THROUGHOUT, HOTEL B/B , &SHUTTLE TICKET ARUSHA TO NAIROBI WILL BE :


2PAX USD. 3280.00 PER PERSON.
4PAX USD. 2455.00 PER PERSON .

Hello,
i would say you're trying to fit way too much in for only 4 weeks time. You can take a bus from Nairobi to Arusha (7 hrs) on scandivian express and a few other reputatble buses. A bus from Arusha to Moshi (where all treks up kilimanjaro leave from) is a 2-3 hr minibus/bus ride.

allow 8-9 days for kili. 5-6 days to climb, a day to prepare/meet with the guide, and a day for sure to recoup once you come back. It's a challenge. I didn't feel up to it but I know too many people who were exhausted from the trek. If you have such short time, definitely pre-book in advanced. people recommended: zara. do some research. It's important you have a reputable company as there are too many out there that aren't good.

Pre-book a safari as well. as a solo traveler it will take some time to find a group to join, and a reputable company.

Moshi- DAR is 10 hrs.
Dar-Mbeya is 10 hrs

crossing border is a 2hr bus ride

I think you NEED to ask yourself what do you really want to see and why you're trying to fit 3 countries in 4 weeks time. You'll be overwhelmed at what you['re attempting and in the end you'll get to check off your list of places seen but not really experienced.

Why not fly into TZ- either KIA (kilimanjaro airport) or DAR?

Public transit travel will take time. Buses in TZ are good and reliable. But remember, it's AFRICA and not everything works out as you hope it does, especially in East africa.

Malawi:
you can get from Mzuzu to Blantyre/lilongwe via nightbus (10-14 hrs).

hope this helps.

to all who have read and responded -
thank you for all of your help/advice/suggestions, they are greatly appreciated. I have solidified my trip plans. after much pondering I decided to try to cut so much travel time so I can do more exploring time.

So here is the new plan:
Arrive in Nairobi july 13
july14-18 safari out of Nairobi, through Serengeti, etc.
July 19th fly to lilongwe meet up with freinds
travel up malawi, stop in Nkata Bay for a couple days
July 24-25 stay in Karonga, then leave for Dar Es Salaam
See Dar/Indian Ocean
Travel to Arusha, 6 day trek for Kilimanjaro
Fly out of Nairobi august 7th.

Any input or more detailed suggestions for cities is completely welcome. constructive criticism is greatly appreciated as this is my first trip like this.
Thanks again everyone!!!! I can't wait!!