Busses Nairobi - Kampala - Kigali

hi,

What buses are there from Nairobi to Kampala (one journey) and Kampala to Kigali (Rwanda)? All the info on the web is quite dated. Also like to know about comfort as my partner and 9 year old have never been in Africa before.

Hi there, I am looking for the same information. So if anyone has some current news on this, you would help two people ;-)

There are quite a number of bus lines that run the Nairobi-Kampala route - Akamba, Scandinavia, Regional(?)... these are the better ones in that they are not making local stops and you can reserve seats in advance. As well, if Regional is still running, they go on from Kla to Kigali, meaning that you can book yourself from Nairobi all the way through to Kigali.

The Nbo-Kla segment is ~12-13 hours and I believe there are either early morning or late night departures. The Kla-Kigali run is ~10-11 hours, but I think daylight runs only. Also, there has been some major work being done on the highway along the Kla-Kgl run, so 10-11hrs may be real optimistic at the moment. Of course, right along the way is the town of Kabale where you can stay over a night very comfortably, either in town or out at Lake Bunyonyi! :-)))

Regarding comfort level, can't really say any of these companies are more so than the other, but also not knowing what sort of long-distance bus journeys you have experience with, it's hard to give you a proper reference. These are coach-style buses - as opposed to school-bus style, but are about as bare-bones as a coach can get. A comparison would be like Central American buses (Guatemala, Honduras), which are all painted real pretty, but are essentially glorified school buses, compared to Mexico where they use coaches for long-distance runs and are seriously comfortable, clean, A/C, movies, toilets, etc. So while East African buses are coach-style, they are nothing like a Mexican coach, and perhaps only the slightest bit more comfortable than a Guatemalan glorified school bus (but not much.) This is IMO of course, as there are many that have no problem with African buses, and some who have sworn them off at all cost.

As for your 9yo, that's a tough one... has he/she really traveled before? Not been in Africa, but been in any other developing country? Can he/she put up with a bumpy and possibly dusty ride for 12 hours?

There is the issue of safety, of course, with these buses, but there is another recent thread here on TT that goes into all that.

Tip: Stop off at Lake Bunyonyi (Kabale) on the way to Kigali, and stay at Byoona Amagara on Itambira Island. It's convenient even if only for a day, is only another 2-1/2 to 3 hrs to Kigali, and your 9yo will love it!

Happy trails!
Pryd

I was in Kasese last year and took a minibus to somewhere close to the Ug-Rw border where I caught the Jaguar bus to Kigali. The bus took some obscure border post in NE Rwanda and the route ran down the length of Park Akagera then west to Kigali. It took a long time and terminated in Nyabugogo which was a bit intimidating arriving at night. And the border x-ing was really slow because everyone's luggage had to be inspected for plastic bags which are illegal in Rwanda.

If I had to do it over I would take minibuses all the way - first to Katuna then Kigali. Bound to be quicker than the so called express bus. Neither mode is particularly comfortable.

Jon

Jonathan33 & Freekite

It all depends on what you are up to!
There are no coaches directly serving from Nairobi to Kigali (distance & road condition do matter). On coach from Nairobi to Kampala is about 13hours journey (depending on the coach trade mark.). From Nairobi to Kampala, there is Akamba Royal, $32 for a seat. It is quite comfortable for such distance for a kid of 9yrs. You may hop off in Kampala or in Jinja for a day and have a look at the source of Nile through rain forests, and why not visiting the Royal Kasubi Tombs!

From Uganda to Rwanda, there are several coaches serving that horrendous route (depending on regional preference on route to indeed), such as Jaguar, which I do not recommend, Gaagaa, Gaso, Kampala Coach, Classical and minibuses. Scandinavian Express is sadly getting out of the coach service slowly!

All the bestt

Nairobi to Kampala _ - a few months ago I travelled with Kampala Coach & they were very much to time and helpful (but you will need to find their office in Nairobi as all buses go from different places.) Same in Kampala, buses run from different places
I stayed at Upper Hill campsite there & its pleasant (little cabins in gardens) & very helpful with booking bus etc
Longest time from Nairobi to Kampala was 22 hours (broke down in night and when spare part finally arrived it was wrong!!) Village people loved us as we were in middle of nowhere! - but usually average is around 14 hours. Be aware of this if you are timing for a gorilla permit!
When are you going? Its a long way for a 9 year old but Kampala is probably not best of places to break journey for any length of time - Jinja - yes great - quad bikes, horse riding, aerial cable car, family floating. whitewater rafting, canoeing, bungee jumping, volunteering by the day with soft power & so on but ideally you'll need more than a day.
Alternatively you could break the journey down in SW Uganda after Kampala - and get off the bus at Uganda Lodge - where we could take you into our Nursery School & local primary etc & meet village people - then continue journey from the gate - after a day or two's rest - buses will go right through to Burundi from there. Enjoy

Kampala coach have a bright red building at the end of Latema road it is facing you as you walk down the street.

There site can be found here http://kampalacoach.com/

Hey muguruki, thanks for the link.
I will certainly stand corrected about the comfort level of the buses for a 9y.o. if Kampala Coach's buses ALL look like the one pictured on the website! Though I'm quite skeptical that they all look like that. Have you (or anyone) taken Kla coach, that can verify if all their buses are kept looking like that one pictured on their site?

Also to note that this company does offer a booking route all the way from Nairobo to Kigali, apparently taking ~21 hours. (Not bad.)

The buses might look OK but you havent seen the state of the roads yet! Well they have improved in the last year or so.

I've never travlled with Kampala coach but when I stay in Kampala I usualy stay opposite their office in Nakivubo Green/Cooper Complex and from what I remember their buses loook pretty much like the ones on the website. In January I'll be travelling to Uganda and then on to Kigali myself and will prob use Kampala coach.

Here are a few more links on travel in Uganda you might find usefull.

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/68428/1030/9/

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/68428/226804/9/

Hi there!

As far as i know, Kampala Coach is the only company running Kampala - Kigali at the moment (2 of ny friends went with them in the summer and said it was ok). They have a new office on jinja rd, opposite International Medical Centre near the traffic lights.
Have fun!