Going by bus from Nairobi to Kampala

I plan on traveling from Nairobi to Kampala by bus. I don’t want to take a plane – I love the countryside. I would like to make it a 2 day trip, with an overnight preferably half way, so probably overnight in Kenya fairly near the border. And hopefully book a budget hotel.

The 2 Uganda entry points seem to be through Malaba or Busia. Does it matter which entry point I use? And if it does matter, which bus do I take from Nairobi that will use that entry point? And then, based on the route the bus takes, what is the best town for a layover? The map suggests Kisumu if the Busia route, and Eldoret if it is the Malaba route. I would want it to be easy to get a bus the next morning to finish the trip. I prefer bus to vans due to luggage. And I am not in a hurry, and busses in my experience have more room. As to the visa, I could either do a visa on arrival or get one at the Ugandan embassy in Nairobi.

It’s hard not to ramble with multiple questions. Which entry point? Which bus? Where to spend the night (as well as the name of a good budget hotel)? And visa on arrival or at the embassy in Nairobi? As well as answers to 10 questions I haven’t thought of yet. Haha.
Thanks,
Jerry

The Nairobi-Kampala buses will use either crossing depending on highway conditions and whether they are picking up passengers at Kisumu. Both crossings operate the same way so there is no difference to you as a tourist.

Mash Bus is a good choice, with several departures a day and clearly posted fares. If you want to get off at Kisumu ask at the counter which bus is passing there.

If you are from one of the rich Western countries you can get a visa on arrival, but confirm that your country qualifies for this.

Christopher, thanks for the info.

You said if I want to get off at Kisumu. Would that be your choice to spend the night? If yes, you know a lower priced hotel there? Do you know where I catch the Mash bus in Nairobi? How do I confirm my country qualifies for visa on arrival? I have searched online but only find very general info stating visas on arrival are available at border entry points. Sounds like maybe the better bet is got get it at the Uganda embassy in Nairobi?
Thanks again,
Jerry

Sorry, but I can't recommend a hotel in Kisumu as I have never actually slept there. Whether you stop at Kisumu or Eldoret boils down to which place appeals to you more. They have quite different climates.

Re your visa, what passport are you traveling on? Let me know here and I can probably help.

Mash Bus has its office prominently located on Accra Rd near the corner with River Rd in central Nairobi. Google maps actually has a marker for it.

Does Mash go through Kisumu? I don't recall.

Places to stay in Kisumu.

Cheaper:
St. Anna Guest House - Milimani
Triple Trojan - Milimani
Green Garden - Gulders Plaza
Hotel Riversand - Busia Rd T-junction
Duke of Breeze - next to Jomo Kenyatta stadium

Pricier:
The Vic Hotel: Next to Megacity
Imperial Hotel: Opposite Megaplaza on Jomo Kenyatta
Kiboko Bay: At Kiboko Bay.

You said you were from the US in the Ug thread. You can get a visa at the border.

All the bus companies are at the Accra/River Rd area. Most comfortable bus IMO is Modern Coast. And they definitely go to Kisumu. They have VIP and First Class seats. Bigger, roomier and in front. Pick seat number 7. I hate sitting at the absolute front or just behind the front entrance.

Good advice, and while we're on the topic of bus seating, I always try to avoid sitting anywhere in the rear 3/5th of the bus. Over the rear axle you'll feel the speed bumps pretty badly, and behind the real axle you may be airborne!

HI

My hometown is Eldoret and i have ever been on a road trip to Kampala and i find this route shorter.

The are alot of places to stay and somewhat like a 4 star hotel called Sirikwa at 3000Ksh.

You can also take a day trip to Kerio Valley from Eldoret.Scenic views...haven for paragliders.

I would recommend Easy Coach Bus...professional and they have strategic offices everywhere.

About visas...You will easy get it at the border,its just an entry permit.Even as Kenyans we had to all alight and get our passports stamped.I cant remember how much we paid.

Kenyanminimalist, thanks for your Eldoret info. And for the referral for Sirikwa Hotel. The price seems reasonable. Any others in case that one is booked? Does Modern Coast also go through Eldoret? You would recommend Easy Coach over Modern Coast and Mash if the layover is in Eldoret? Do you know where I would catch the Easy Coach bus the next morning?

Strkingstar you convinced me in the UG thread not to to go to Kisumu, but thank you for the hotel info. If you have any ideas about Eldoret hotels, would love to hear. No such thing as too many options.

Christopher, I would not be deciding which place by climate, but purely by ease in hotels and easy off on with the bus. Except if one town is much nicer to visit than the other. Thoughts on that?
Jerry

Oh I hope I didn't convince you not to go to Kisumu. If I did, that wasn't my intention. I just said most buses tend not to pass through Kisumu but you won't be lacking for options to get there. Modern Coast and Easy Coach have offices in Kisumu. I like Kisumu. Nice town, next to Lake Victoria. Maybe take a boat out onto the lake. Get a fried fish dinner. Chill out at the rooftop bar at Duke of Breeze.

I've never spent a night in Eldoret so can't help you there.

Not really. If you are just stopping to sleep I don't know how you'd compare the towns.

Strikingstar, it was your telling me in the UG thread about construction and bad roads on the Kisumu route, not Kisumu itself. It sounded like if it were you, you would choose the Eldoret route for that reason. I am used to bad roads in the Philippines. If you think Kisumu is worth the bad roads, I will go there.