Hi All,
we are thinking of self-driving from Lilongwe, Malawi to Uganda via Tanzania. Does anyone know of how long this should take, if we try and get there as quickly as possible? What route should we take? We've heard that it is faster going up the west route, but possibly easier going through Nairobi. Finally, does anyone know what import tax we will need to pay when arriving with our vehicle in Uganda?
thanks!
Hi covu
Can't help massively but as it's a relatively quiet branch of Thorn Tree I'll offer what I have...
A coach from Dar es Salaam to Kampala, via Nairobi, takes 32 hours. So I would estimate from Dar-Kampala on this main route would take you perhaps 24 - 28 hours if you only took brief stops (3 30mins rest breaks).
The road is obviously very rough so without meaning to sound patronising, please please ensure you are wearing your seatbelts the whole time and don't drive behind the coaches.
This route takes you through Arusha so it is nice and scenic.
This would be tanking it without really stopping so if I were you I would estimate that Dar - Nairobi is one full day (DONT DRIVE THROUGH THE NIGHT) and stay in Nairobi then spend the second day driving to Kampala.
Hi,
Just done something similar by public transport (i.e. slower)...
Nkhata Bay to Mzuzu (N. Malawi) to border to Mbeya - one full day
Mbeya to Iringa - half a day
Iringa to Dodoma via the tarmac road not the direct one - 2/3 day
Dodoma to Singida - few hours
Singida to Kahama - one day
Kahama to Rusumu to Kigali - one day (poss. u don't want to go via Rwanda but visa free for various nationalities)
Kigali to Kampala - one day
My days aren't too long and always in daylight. You could probably halve these 'times' driving yourself. Almost all of the way was tarmac and the non-tarmac wasn't bad.