Kampala-Nairobi-Mombasa-Sansibar in August

Hi,
I´m staying in Uganda until August and want to travel from Kampala to Sansiabar via Nairobi and Mombasa in August. I have plant 2-3 weeks and start traveling around the 6th August. Has anyone done this before and has tips on the route, sightseeing, budget accommodation, etc. Or is someone planing such a trip in August?
Many thanks and greetings.

cant help on the rest but Upper Hill Backpackers in Nairobi is by far the best option i have stayed in Kenya for independent travel. Easy coach or Kampala Coaches from KLA to NAR

I did something similar to this.

I went from Kampala-Mombassa-Tanga-Pemba-Zanzibar-Nairobi. it was real easy and straight forward.

You can take a bus - I believe Akamba Company - form Kampala to Nairobi. Last i remember it leaves at 6 or 7 am and drives late in the evening. Nairobi's best hostel would be Wildebeest. Great facilities, internet, friendly atmosphere and lost of people. its a bit more expensive, i believe it was 15$ to camp with own tent.

To mombassa you can take the same bus from Nairobi, and I'd say stay at Mombassa Back Packers. They've recently moved locations, and when i was there fit was something like $15/20/night. three guys run the place and it's really easy going. here's a link to them
http://www.mombasabackpackers.com/

from Nairobi to Mombassa you can also take a train. i've heard mixed reviews but never done it

From Mombassa, traditionally you can either fly to Unguja Island or you can take a bus and catch the (almost) daily very. It costs around $35-40 and it drops you off right not he edge of stone town. Don't need to spend extra money for first class, the regular seats are amazing. In Stown Town, you can find accommodations as cheap as $5/night or $200/night, just depends on what you are looking for. What you can also do is head east to the coast which is swarming with hotels/resorts on the beach. again, you can spend 15-20/night or up to 200/night.

From Stone Town, you can also catch a ferry to Pemba Island, which is just North of Unguja Island. It's a bit more expensive because exit's off the beaten track, but it's dfefinately worth the track.

My journey was to go from Mombassa to Tanga City. It's a few hours North of Dar. From there, we bought a Ferry directly to Wete, on Pemba Island, spent a few days there snorkelling, rented motorbikes and explored the island. No booze is sold here though so bring your own. From Wete we went south to Wesha to catch the ferry to Stone Town. Prices to/from Pemba are more expensive, i think around 45-50 but it's sooo worth it. especially if you need a bit of quite time.
Let me know if you need anything else

Hi KathiUganda,

A friend and I will be doing Nairobi-Mombasa-Zanzibar, but at the end of August. Do you have flexibility to travel later?

Hi there,
How are you? I will be doing Nairobi-Mombasa-Malindi. I will be there in the end of August the 20th. I don't really have any plan also I haven't booked anything. Do you have a plan in particular or you going for an adventure?

cheers

Hi,
sorry End of August ist to late, I plant to go back at the 25th of August. But have I nice trip, maybe I can give you some Informationen after my trip.
Greatings

A lot of good advices as I can see!
We had one of our best bus trips in Africa with easy coach, from Kampala to Nairobi.
If you go to Mombasa take the train! Very nice, leaves at 7pm in Nairobi and arrives at 10am the next morning.
Berache Guest house is a good, cheap accomodation in Mombasa town but i would recommend to stay at mombasa backpackers. Just to have the relax atmosphere you don't have in town.

If you are thinking about going to Diani beach stay at South Coast Backpackers. Very very nice place, brand new (just 2 months old) good food, free internet, pool, good accomodation for a cheap price :)

Save travels!

Sorry,about the train: leaves from nairobi on monday, wednesday and friday

Thank you for alle the good advices, I´m going to start my trip earlyer. So of somebody ist during the 06th and the 24th on this way.....

I think Akamba may have folded.

Does anyone have any news?

Edited by: richardtrillo

Hello Kathi, I'm doing the same!!
I'm traveling alone in August from kampala to Zanzibar. from de 6th to the 21st, just for 2 weeks. I'm thinking by bus or maybe train. If you have any tips please let me Known.
Bye, see you there!!!
Ale

Edited by: Alejofab

did this route last year and am a local from uganda
kla - msa take modern coast bus (akamba is out of service and had detiorirated alot) goes direct or stop over in nairobi they are many small 2 star hotels scattered around nairobi advise on night security as many opportunists around ,
you can book from nairobi to msa on a couple o hundred bus companies but from my knowledge heres the order in terms of service and reliablity
1.guardian coach 1500ksh + AC
2.oxygen bus(mcb sister co) 1800ksh + AC
3.coast air 1800ksh +AC
4.spanish coach 1200ksh food erved on board leaves at 10pm no AC
5.horizon with AC
6.MASH COOL
7.DREAMLINE double axle and very goodlooking

all alight at accra road nairobi and all arrive mombasa at mwembe tayari terminal

from mwembe tayari you can book many small hotels at 2000ksh a really nice one behind dreamline bus the buses leaving for dar salaam all leave at 5am the quality varies but heres my list
1.tahmeed bus
2.simba
3.taweel
4smart bus
they all charge 1000ksh and very hairy fast

arrive in dar before dusk at ubungo bus terminal and immediately book a cab tell driver to get you hotel next to ferry terminal i got a 4 star for a bargain 60usd ..tickets for ferry cost 70usd return from zanzibar \

ferry leaves every 3 hours and takes 1 half hours to stone town

ENJOY YOUR STAY
TAKE the trip to the north of zanzibar kendwa or nungwi