Hi All,
I will be flying into Nairobi in December, I want to fly straight onto Zanzibar and stay for 10 days. I then want to get to Mombasa, thought I could fly but seems the flights don't go in that direction... no luck with Precision or 540.
I also can't find details on buses from Dar to Mombasa - does anyone have any suggestions?
Also, would Malindi be a good place to spend New Years, or would Lamu be better? I am single female travelling on my own from Australia.
Thanks!
Susie
Susie,
I am sure 540 flies between Zanzibar and Mombasa. I was recently quoted US$209 as a promotional return fare when I contacted them (I didn't book it). It might still be on offer, but the specials don't always show up on their website - you need to contact them.
540 seems to offer the cheapest fares on this route of all the airlines.
Mombasa-Dar buses leave early every morning from the middle of Mombasa. There are various companies but they all have booking offices near the Kobil station on Mombasa Rd. The fares start from around 1,300 Kenya shillings and go up from there.
The buses drop you at the Ubungo terminal on the outskirts of Dar, so you need to get a minibus or taxi to cross the city to the Zanzibar ferry dock. The bus is supposed to reach Dar in time for the last ferry in the afternoon, but don't bank on it.
The newest, fast Zanzibar ferry now costs US$40 each way! However, there is a cheaper alternative called Flying Horse for $20 each way. The only problem is that it leaves around noon (it is an overnight ferry coming back from Zanzibar).
Considering all that, you may find it better to fly. The 540 fare isn't much more than the costs of all the buses and ferries put together.
IMHO, Lamu would be the much better choice for New Year.
Malindi is nice enough, but a lot of package tours stay in the big hotels there.
Lamu is very special, lots of small hotels and guesthouses get a good mix of tourists, the locals are welcoming and ( big plus!) there are no cars, only donkeys & dhows.
If you cannot fly I would advise getting the fast ferry to Dar, spending a night there and then heading out early the next day to the main bus terminal to look for a bus to Tanga or all the way through to Mombasa. On no account travel on Sai Baba "Express" buses. I travelled with Sai Baba from Dar to Arusha last year and regretted it for the four hours we spent in the bus station whilst the conductor touted for more passengers, every time we stopped to cram another person waving their hand at the side of the road into the aisle and right up to the time we arrived at 11:00pm after 16 hours sat on the bus. Over-sized dalla-dalla.
If you have the time to do the trip in stages and would like to stop off for a break on the way, there is a super spot about 45 minutes north of Tanga called the Fish Eagle Lodge. Spent a couple of days there last July and it was top notch, and for full board very good value. From Fish Eagle it's a fairly painless trip into Mombasa.
Have a good trip.
App
There is a flight 540 that fly from Zanzibar to Nairobi via Mombasa, i hope that flight will help you get to Mombasa, There are also buses running from Dar to Mombasa
Thanks all for your suggestions, Chris I think I will call 540 to book a flight to Mombasa so I don't have to waste time on the buses etc. Couldn't understand why nothing was showing up online!
App, if I end up ferry/bussing to Mombasa I will definitely stop off at Fish Eagle Lodge it looks amazing!
Kaz, thanks for the info re Malindi/Lamu for NYE. I am thinking that I may just do a few days in Malindi on the way and then spend Christmas and NYE on Lamu. I will be by myself so hopefully that will mean I meet people that I can spend that time with. Don't really want to be solo on Christmas!
I have heard that Jambo House on Lamu is a great place to stay so may just book there for 10 days.
How long should I spend In Mombasa, is it worth staying there for a few days or not really? Should I just stick with Malindi for 2 or 3 nights and then the rest of the time Lamu? I need to be back in Nairobi approx January 3 to start my volunteer placement.
I do not know anyone in Africa and really just want to find a nice friendly place to stay over Christmas/NYE so that I am not too sad being away from my family!
Thanks again,
Susie
Central Mombasa is nothing special apart from Fort Jesus which can be seen in 1-2 hours. Mombasa Old Town is a bit like Zanzibar but if you've seen Zanzibar already you may feel some deja vu.
So I wouldn't overnight in Mombasa. Best to sightsee a few hours then head for your North Coast destination!
Great will do - thanks Chris!
Sorry to keep asking questions, but I now actually can't find a flight from Zanzibar direct to Malindi, or from Mombasa to Malindi. Once again have checked all 3 airlines and nothing shows up or it seems they don't fly between the two towns. Is it possible that they just don't list all of the routes online? May just need to call from Australia to speak with them directly?
Still wouldn't mind getting bus from Mombasa to Malindi, however as far as i can tell it wouldn't be possible for me to get a flight from Zanz to Momb which arrives at 12:30 pm, and then get on a bus for Malindi that same day.
Really appreciate your help :)
Direct flights from Zanzibar to Malindi don't exist as few people would use this option.
I noticed as you probably did that 540's route map has connections that don't show up in its flight planner. Your best bet is to book the flights at a 540 office when you are here. Then you can find out about the special deals too. 540 has offices in Zanzibar and all major towns in Kenya.
Other airlines you can check are Air Kenya (not to be confused with Kenya Airways) and Safarilink.
Still wouldn't mind getting bus from Mombasa to Malindi, however as far as i can tell it wouldn't be possible for me to get a flight from Zanz to Momb which arrives at 12:30 pm, and then get on a bus for Malindi that same day.
That won't be a problem, a bus or matatu from Mombasa to Malindi should take a bit over 2hrs, so you'll be there well before evening.