This post is about the company Akamba Bus services.
Update: After more than 50 years in operation, Akamba Bus closed its doors in May 2012.
Jump to this comment to find out what my current recommendation of bus operator on this route is.
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Table of Contents
Akamba Bus Services History
Akamba Bus Services began as a merger between three Kenyan public transportation companies: Commercial Bus Company, Makueni Bus Company and Western Bus Company.
Together, these three bus companies merged in the 1950s to form The Akamba Bus Company, with the founding director being Sherali Hassan Nathoo.
If you plan to travel by bus across East Africa but haven’t yet processed the visas necessary for the countries you will be travelling to, click here to view visa requirements for your nationality as well as to process any visas online if they are required.
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This will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip from Kampala to Nairobi by bus, allowing you to explore the beautiful landscapes and cultures of both countries.
Who Owns Akamba Today?
At the time of his death, in the year 2000, Sherali Hassan Nathoo was Akamba’s major shareholder.
His biological sons, Karim Sherali Nathoo and Moez Sherali Nathoo inherited some of their father’s shares as well as control of the company.
A third of the senior Nathoo’s shares went to their stepmother, Zarina Sherali Nathoo.
If you came to this post looking for the Akamba Bus logo, here it is.
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Akamba Bus Photos (With Akamba Bus Logo)
Simba Coach Contacts Nairobi
You can reach Simba Coach in Nairobi on the following number: +254-707-471111.
Simba Coach Nairobi to Juba Price List
Simba Coach does ply the Nairobi – Juba route, via Kampala. I am not sure about how often, though, or for how much. I am trying to get my hands on this information and, as soon as I do, I will share it here.
Simba Coach Nairobi to Kigali
I believe Simba Coach travels between Nairobi and Kigali, though I cannot tell you much more about that.
Let me do some more research and get back to you.
Guardian Angel Bus Contacts Nairobi
Head Office: Railways, Nairobi
Email: info@theguardiancoach
Phone: 0722221290/0726511628
Website: theguardiancoach.com
Tilisho Bus Contacts Arusha
If you would like to contact Tilisho Bus in Arusha, call 0679-374478.
Tilisho Online Booking
If you would like to know what Tilisho Bus tickets cost and book online, then click here.
Simba Coach Price List 2023
Simba Coach Nairobi to Kampala
Simba Coach does have a bus service from Nairobi to Kampala, but I don’t know much about it.
Let me find out more and I will share what I find here. Check back for that info soon!
Simba Coach Price List PDF
Find the Simba Coach price list in PDF format here: Simba-Coach-Price-List.
Buses from Kampala to Nairobi
Traveling by bus from Kampala to Nairobi is a popular option for many travelers seeking to explore these vibrant cities in Uganda and Kenya.
Here are some key points to know about buses on this route:
Bus Operators: Several reputable bus companies operate between Kampala and Nairobi, offering a range of options for travelers. Some well-known operators include Modern Coast and Easy Coach. It’s advisable to research and choose a reliable and comfortable bus company based on your preferences and budget.
Departure Points: Buses typically depart from Kampala’s main bus terminals, such as the New Taxi Park or the Namayiba Park, though they may also depart from wherever the bus company’s offices are located.
Journey Duration: The travel time between Kampala and Nairobi by bus can vary depending on traffic conditions, immigration procedures, and the specific route taken by the bus. On average, the journey takes around 8 to 10 hours. However, it’s important to note that travel times can be longer during peak travel seasons or due to unforeseen circumstances.
Border Crossing: The bus journey includes crossing the border between Uganda and Kenya. Passengers will need to go through immigration and customs procedures at both the Ugandan and Kenyan border posts. It’s essential to have the necessary travel documents, such as a valid passport and any required visas, to facilitate a smooth border crossing.
Comfort and Amenities: Many bus companies offer a range of amenities to ensure passenger comfort during the journey. These may include reclining seats, air conditioning or ventilation systems, onboard entertainment, and restroom facilities. However, it’s advisable to check with the specific bus company regarding the amenities they provide.
Safety Considerations: While bus travel is generally considered safe, it’s essential to prioritize your safety during the journey. Choose a reputable bus company with a good safety record and well-maintained buses. Additionally, secure your belongings and be cautious of your surroundings, especially when making stops or crossing the border.
Ticket Reservations: It’s recommended to book your bus tickets in advance, especially during peak travel periods, to secure your seat. Many bus companies offer online booking options, allowing you to conveniently reserve your tickets in advance.
Local Regulations and Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with the local regulations and guidelines in both Uganda and Kenya. This includes understanding any COVID-19-related travel restrictions, health protocols, and entry requirements that may be in place.
Before your journey, it’s always a good idea to check the latest information, schedules, and fares with the bus company you choose.
This will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip from Kampala to Nairobi by bus, allowing you to explore the beautiful landscapes and cultures of both countries.
Guardian Bus Fare from Nairobi to Kisumu
The bus fare for The Guardian Coach from Nairobi to Kisumu is Ksh. 1,650.
Guardian Royal Day Bus/Royal Day Guardian Bus
The Guardian Coach Bus Service (a.k.a The Guardian Angel bus) also operates a Royal day bus service much like Akamba used to.
I am not sure whether they currently operate this service between Nairobi and Kampala (though they used to a few years ago), but I know they do from Nairobi to several other towns in Kenya.
On the Nairobi-Kampala route, I know that The Guardian Coach operates buses at least until Busia. Consult their website for more information.
Simba Coach Online Booking Portal
To the best of my knowledge, Simba Coach does not have an online booking portal of its own. You can buy Simba Coach tickets here though.
Nairobi to Kampala Bus Price
You can expect to pay anywhere from the equivalent of US$10 to US$40 for a bus ticket from Kampala to Nairobi and vice versa.
Bus from Nairobi to Kampala
If you would like to book a bus ticket to travel between Nairobi and Kampala, you can do so here with Modern Coast Express.
Guardian Bus Online Booking
If you would like to make an online booking for Guardian Coach, you can do so here.
Guardian Angel Bus Fare From Nairobi to Busia
To get from Nairobi to Busia on Guardian Angel Bus costs Ksh. 1,400.
Akamba Solihull
The Akamba Heritage Centre in Solihull, U. K. is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. On every other day of the week, it opens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A Reputable Nairobi Bus Company Today
If you are looking for a good bus to travel between Kampala and Nairobi, I wholeheartedly recommend Modern Coast Express.
Their buses are spacious and travel at a comfortable speed. To boot, they have electric sockets so you are sure that your electronic devices will not run out of charge on your bus trip.
Modern Coast Express claims to have free Wi-Fi available on their buses, but I have never been on one of their buses where the Wi-Fi actually works.
If you would like to know “how many hours from Kampala to Nairobi by bus”, “how long does it take from Kampala to Nairobi by bus”, “how many hours from Nairobi to Kampala by bus”, or “how long from Nairobi to Kampala by bus”, you can find that answer here.
The Guardian Coach Bus Service (a.k.a The Guardian Angel bus) also operates a Royal day bus service much like Akamba used to.
I am not sure whether they currently operate this service between Nairobi and Kampala (though they used to a few years ago), but I know they do from Nairobi to several other towns in Kenya.
On the Nairobi-Kampala route, I know that The Guardian Coach operates buses at least until Busia. Consult their website for more information.
Kisumu to Kampala Bus
Any bus that plies the Kampala-Nairobi route will generally pass through Kisumu so can be used to travel between Kisumu and Kampala.
Just as I recommend Modern Coast Express on the Nairobi-Kampala route, that’s the same bus I recommend for the Kisumu-Kampala route.
Kampala to Nairobi Bus Booking
If you would like to book a bus from Kampala to Nairobi online, you can book a ticket on Mash bus here.
This is the first post in a 3-part series. Click here to read parts II and III.
Have you ever traveled by bus from Nairobi to Kampala? If so, what bus service did you use?
Did you travel during the day or at night? What route did you choose?
I make this journey all the time!
To tell you how much, let me just share that one month of March, while working in Nairobi and not on leave, I spent three of the four weekends of the month in Kampala.
Although occasionally I fly between these two destinations, I do so rarely because of the exorbitant price of air travel on this route.
Traveling by bus is 8 times cheaper and is convenient enough, especially when I’m not particularly time-constrained.
Credible Bus Services Plying the Nairobi-Kampala Route
Many bus companies serve this route.
In this post, I will tell you all you need to know about making this journey with Akamba Bus.
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Akamba Coach
Akamba Bus has existed since the ’50s.
This is both a good and bad thing.
Starting with it being a good thing, Akamba Bus has a lot of experience ferrying passengers on this route and has mastered the art of doing so safely.
Of the three bus services, Akamba Bus has the best and longest safety track record.
During the 9 years that I have regularly traveled this route, I have never heard of a major road accident involving Akamba Bus.
If safety, above all, is what you are looking for, look no further: Akamba Bus is the bus for you.
Akamba Buses
As a bad thing, because of its age as a service, Akamba Bus buses are often no longer in the best of conditions and can be quite rickety.
There are two ways that I know of to circumvent this problem.
The first is to pay a little more and use the more up-market Akamba Bus service known as Akamba Royal. The other is to use a trick that I learned from a cousin who also makes this journey often: travel with a pillow to cushion “the blows”.
This you can always do when traveling by bus anywhere in East Africa. It goes a long way to making a bus ride a lot more comfortable.
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Nairobi-Kampala Bus Routes
Akamba Bus travels between Nairobi and Kampala using two different routes.
One route passes through Kisumu and crosses the Kenya–Uganda border at Busia. The other passes through Eldoret and crosses the border at Malaba.
I am not sure why, but most people I know prefer to travel using the Busia route.
Out of habit, I too used to travel using that route.
The last time I traveled to Kampala, in order to avoid the very bad road between Nairobi and Kisumu, I chose to travel using the Malaba route.
The journey was more comfortable, and once again I wondered why people prefer to use the Busia route. (Is this your preference? If so, why?)
Akamba Bus buses serving the Nairobi–Kampala route depart from Nairobi several times a day, both during the day and at night.
During the day, buses leave early in the morning, at 7 a.m.
At night, they leave at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Akamba Royal, the up-market service of Akamba Bus, departs from Nairobi only once a day, in the morning at 7 a.m.
I recommend day travel the first time you make this journey so that you get to see what lies between the two capital cities.
Once you have seen what there is to see, I recommend night travel on all subsequent journeys.
How Many Hours From Kampala to Nairobi by Bus
The journey now takes 13 hours due to bad roads and government-imposed speed limits.
Traveling at night makes this long journey seem much shorter since you can sleep most of the way.
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Bus Fare from Nairobi to Kampala
Traveling between Nairobi and Kampala by bus is inexpensive.
The last ticket I bought for Akamba Bus’s executive service (the regular service) cost me only 1,400 Ksh, while the Akamba Royal service cost 2,100 Ksh.
If day travel and money are not considerations, then I do recommend spending the extra money to travel by Akamba Royal.
Akamba Royal, being a newer service, has more modern and comfortable buses and, in my experience, tends to be more prompt.
I think I have told you all you need to know about traveling between Nairobi and Kampala using Akamba Bus.
If you have any comments, or questions you would like to ask, please leave me a comment below.
If you would like to contact the Akamba Bus offices directly, you can call them on +254-(20)-556062 in Nairobi and on +256-(41)-250412 in Kampala.
If you will be making this journey soon, I wish you a safe and comfortable trip.
Biche
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Photo Credit: Bus World Tanzania, Muhammad Onyango, WorldWideEndeavors.org, RichpUpdates
hey biche, i have enjoyed reading your blog. i will be travelling to east africa this august and am researching transport from nairobi to kampala, and your posts have been very helpful. i would like to go from nairobi to mbale. is there any way to do this trip without going all the way to kampala? i appreciate any help you could offer.
Hi Rob,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown. I am pleased to know that you are enjoying my blog. 🙂
Please excuse the time I have taken to get back to you. Yes, you can get to Mbale without going all the way to Kampala first. Akamba has a service from Nairobi to Mbale, as does Regional.
I hope you enjoy your stay in East Africa!
Biche
Biche,
Great and informative blog.
I am looking at Travelling by Road from Nairobi to Kigali. What solutions do you recommend ?
Hi Peter,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown!
Nairobi-Kigali: Well, honestly, I would recommend that you fly (if that’s an option) because the road between Nairobi and Kampala is currently horrendous! It’s in the worst state that I have seen it in the past 10 years. I love to travel by road, but the last time I had to shuttle between Kampala and Nairobi – I opted to fly.
To stick to your specification about road travel, though. 🙂 I would recommend doing it in one of two ways.
1. Travel directly from Nairobi to Kigali on Regional Bus. I am not sure how much it would cost but I know it should take about 20-23hrs non-stop. I am not sure if anyone else serves this route directly – you’ll have to ask around. But this is is one way to go. (Note too: Regional has had 2 highly fatal accidents, to the best of my knowledge, in the past 5 years. The safety of travelling on Regional is quite questionable.)
2. The second option is to break the journey into two legs: Nairobi-Kampala and Kampala-Kigali. This is a good option if you are up to the adventure and are not pressed for time. The first leg would take about 12-15 hrs and could be done using Akamba or Scandinavian (my recommendations). The second would take 8 hrs using a service such as Jaguar or Regional (I quote only that which I know). Travelling using this option would enable you to schedule some RnR time in Kampala that could be used discovering a new city or visiting friends (in case you have any there :-)).
Whatever the case, Kigali is the bomb! so it’s a journey that’s well worth making.
I hope that helps a little.
Biche
I have used Akamba once and vowed not to do so again. The bus broke down part way to Nairobi and the conductor took the cover off the engine, tied a string to the throttle and they drove the remainder of the trip with the conductor managing the throttle by a string and the driver given hand signals to the conductor indicating more fuel or less fuel. As I was sitting in the front seat, I got fulll fuew of the procedure as well as the fumes coming off the engine. Since they knew exactly what to do, I assume that this was not an unusual experience. I have been on the Regional bus a couple of times since then and found the experience much more satisfying, although Regional did cancel my reservation in spite of having paid for the ticket in advance.
Hi Richard,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown!
Thanks for sharing that experience. That must have been quite harrowing to say the least! Nope, I have never had an experience like that on Akamba though Akamba breaking down happens often enough.
Thanks for sharing.
Biche
Hello Biche and many thanx for your good rewiew on the bus services from Nairobi to Kampala.
Im about to be travelling through east Africa in February and right now sort of planning my trip.
As you said abowe, the road from Nairobi to Kigali is terrible. Are you then considering the road south of Lake Victoria through Tanzania or the road north of Lake Victoria through Kampala. If the first case, do you have any good information on the safety of the road between Kampala and Kigali. I´ve read some terrible things about that one…
http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Rwanda/blog-11478.html.
CYA
Hi Biche, I am a Muhindi who lived in Uganda from 1994 to 1997 and again in 1999. I started the Simba Steel operations in Kampala. I used the Akamba service to transport a number of my colleagues and often urgent material from Nairobi. Just calling in to say your article jogged old memories – actually for my wife Pushya and I – Kampala was a honeymoon transfer from India. From the bottom of my heart – we loved and still love Africa.
Hi Fredden,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown! I am glad you found this review useful. I have just read the blog post you linked to in your comment, and I hate to tell you but that’s exactly the experience I had too when I last travelled to Kigali by bus via Kampala. The road is tortuous and the bus companies speed along the entire journey (without speed governors), even on the sharp bends in the hilly parts of southern Ugandan and as you enter Rwanda. Truth be told, I held my breath for the better part of the journey just hoping for the best. If you don’t want to take chances and can afford it, flying might be a better option.
I haven’t taken the road through Tanzania since the early eighties so I really can’t tell you much about it. From what I know about Tanzania’s geography, though, I expect that be a much longer route. Does anyone out there know how long that journey would take? Of the two routes, I would generally take the route through Kampala, or else fly.
I hope that helps a bit.
Karibu East Africa! (Welcome to East Africa!)
Biche
Hi Srinath,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown!
I am glad that my site can bring a little bit of Uganda to you, wherever in the world you are (as I write today, I am actually writing from the beautiful city of Kampala). So you were in Kampala in the mid to late nineties? I remember those days well. Every time I would visit Kampala, during that time, I would be astonished at how fast the city was changing and developing! What did you like most about your stay in Uganda?
Biche
Hello again Biche!
Thanx for your reply on my question about
ground transport between Kigali and Kampala!
I guess I will catch a flight instead, eaven
if I find it a bit sad (was really lookin
forward doing this journey).
Cya!
Fredden
Hmmm Fredden,
How about you break up your trip into two legs, Nairobi-Kampala and Kampala-Kigali? I am sure you can easily find safe bus transportation between Nairobi and Kampala, and then try to find a way to make it by car from Kampala to Kigali. For instance, might you consider renting a car? Or can you think of a group of people who might be interested in doing the trip by car with you? The route is fairly straight forward and if you go slowly enough, I think it might be safe enough for you to drive yourself, especially with company. The scenery on this journey is amazing! I can see why you wouldn’t want to miss out on it.
Just throwing around a some ideas.
Biche
Hi Biche, informative blog – thanks. I’m
travelling from Nairobi to Kampala in April
with my family – are the buses suitable for
young children? Any help really appreciated!
Hi Gareth,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown and thanks for the kudos!
Yes, the busses are suitable for children, but in that case I really, really recommend using Akamba’s Royal Service. Although it is a little more expensive, the seats are usually wider, travel times are during the day, and the bus is less crowded. All in all, it makes for a more pleasant journey – one less likely to make children irritable and unruly.
I wish you and your family an enjoyable journey!
Biche
Hi Biche,
Thanks for the info on travel between Nairobi and Kampala . I am leaving tomorrow for Kampala using the Akamba Royal bus service.
Some developments I would like to point out :
-Akamba has a new number for bookings 254-020-340430
-The price for the royal service has gone up to kes2500.00/usd$32.00 for a one way ticket.
I will update you on any changes. All I know is that the road from Nairobi to Nakuru is sweet….after that I have no idea.
Finally any pointers on getting to Kigali for the weekend. Is it possible to go Friday and come back on a sunday?
Hi Poussir,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown!
Thanks for the updates on travel with Akamba. That’s great information to have, particularly the part about some of the road being better. I haven’t traveled that road in a while, having been discouraged with it’s condition the last few times I traveled it. Maybe I’ll try it out again some time soon.
Kigali for the weekend from Kampala is possible though might be hectic because it’s an 8 hour bus ride either way (I don’t know that night travel is available on this route). Check out Scandinavian, Jaguar, and Regional bus services which I believe all serve this route.
I like Kigali quite a bit (with nothing I heard having prepared me for how clean and organized the city actually was), so it might be well worth the trouble to check it out over the weekend.
Whatever you decide, I wish you a wonderful stay in Kampala and Kigali (if you decide to go).
Once you are done with traveling, please come back here to share your experiences!
I look forward to hearing more from you soon.
Biche
where is pt 2 and 3
Hi Cedsing,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown!
Here are parts 2 and 3.
I hope you find them useful.
Biche
Thank you for your posts, they are all very informative. My wife and I will be travelling from Nairobi to Kampala around the 28/29 June 2009. When and where can the tickets be purchased?
Hi Andrew,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown! I am glad you find my posts informative.
You can buy Akamba tickets at any of their five offices in Nairobi (I think). I’ve bought tickets, in the past, from three of these offices – the Wabera Office, the Prestige Office, and the Town Office – though I am not too sure whether tickets can be purchased from the Head Office in Industrial Area or the Monrovia Office. For more information, consult the Akamba bus website for the locations and contact information of each of these offices.
In my experience, you can buy tickets up to the day before travel (except during the Christmas and Easter seasons, where a lot more advance booking is recommended). To ensure availability for the desired travel date, I recommend purchasing your tickets at least three days before the expected date of departure.
I hope this information is useful to you. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have further queries.
Wishing you all the best,
Biche
I my name is james kioko,Machakos man and staying now in Germany, What I´ll like to ask is does Akamba sele´s shares to local kenyans?if yes how much ?,I´ll like to get form through my email please
Hi James,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown!
To the best of my knowledge, Akamba is not a publicly traded company, though I may be wrong. Here’s the company’s website to find out more: http://www.AkambaBus.com. I hope that helps.
Biche
Hello Biche,Thanks for the information about Akamba.I had Used Abamba long time ago since i was still studying in kenya…Church army sec.school.i loved Akamba.I traveled using the bus to Greenfields College in Kitale.Now i am in Ny and i plan to come for vacation,so i chose totravel Akamba from kampala.Daniel.
Hi Daniel,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown!
Thanks for your feedback. I wish you a safe and enjoyable trip with Akamba.
Biche
I come from Japan. 7-10 years ago, many times I traveled between Kampala and Nairobi by bus, by using different companiese, by traveling night or day time. After all, I decided to take Akamba royal bus because it was so comfortable and I had thought it was the best. Then ever since I did not visit Kenya and Uganda again till last Fall. When I was going to buy a ticket at Akamba, my friend said on a way to Mombasa from kampala by Akamba royal, it was broken down and I was told it is better to travel by schandinavia, but I hardly believed that. So I did not listen my friend’s advice and traveled by Akamba royal from Kampala to Nairobi and my goodness, what my friend said was so true, between Kisumu and Nakuru, it was stopped completely and broken down, had to switch to another bus to ride and we had to wait for 2 hours, plus it was just ecnomy class (nor royal class) and I decided I would never use Akamba royal again…….Well, your article is so corret !!!
Hi Chie,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown!
Thanks for sharing your experiences with Akamba. I am sure other readers will appreciate having the extra input. 🙂
Biche
Thank you all for your valuable input…i’m driving down to kigali on the 15th of august 2009…would anyone know how long the stop at malaba would be…i heard that they are pretty slow at processing the border crossing…is the busia route perhaps quicker ? and is the busia route a better road ?
might have space for 1…anyone wanting to car pool ?
dee
Hi Dee,
Sorry, I know I am a bit late responding to your comment. Still, welcome to ChickAboutTown!
Did you end up taking the Malaba route? How long were you stopped at the border (I’ve never used that route in a private vehicle)?
How’s Kigali?
Cheers,
Biche
Nairobi is nice place .
Hi Jailo,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown!
Yes, Nairobi is a wonderful place. What in particular makes you say that, though?
Biche
Hi,
may I ask if the bus from Nairobi to Kampala stops at the city of Tororo?
and where is the station in Nairobi?
Thanks a lot!
Hi Anderson,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown!
No, to the best of my knowledge the bus does not stop in Tororo. The Akamba station in Nairobi is near the Fire station on Tom Mboya Street. Here’s a map for clearer directions.
Biche
HI
i would like to know if the Akamba royal operates a bus directly from Nairobi to Kigali and what would be the cost.
THANKS
THE COST OF TRAVEL FROM NAIROBI TO KIGALI
cost from kigali to nairobi by Akamba bus:20000frw, equal to 20000/575usd
Hi Jeremiah and Wang,
I wish the both of you a warm welcome to ChickAboutTown.
Jeremiah, Wang is right – Akamba does serve this route (here’s an article to prove it). The cost of a ticket is 20,000 FRw one way, which is approximately $35.
Wang, thank you for answering this question!
Biche
pls if any jobs is there call me on 0774551273 ur work are always good.may GOD BLS U
Hi Otim,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown! I am not sure I understand your comment – where exactly are you interested in working?
Biche
Hi! Your artical has been pretti intresting & it has been of great help! … but I still have some queries. I went to Kampala using Modern Coast Express a few weeks ago.The ride was v.comfy,but what I didnt like was the windows had strips of yellow,making it difficult to see outside, & as the journey progressed,the bus would stop & pick passangers on the way. The seats, however were v.comfy, & the inside of the bus looked almost like an airplane! The trip was organised by my church.We drove to Kampala in the day,& drove back to Nbi in the night.The day ride to Kampala was fun,but I was upset I couldnt see outside my window well,& it was my 1st time to Uganda 🙁
The night drive to Nbi was terrible as the bus was very very cold forcing me to stay awake & shivering a full 12hrs!
Does Akamba Royal have air conditioning & does it go direct to Kampala without stopping for passangers?Only stopping for toilet breaks.If not,pls recomend other good bus companies I can recommend to a friend.
Susan
Hi Susan,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown! Sorry, it’s taken me so long to respond to your comment.
I haven’t done the Nairobi-Kampala journey in a while, but to the best of my knowledge, yes, Akamba Royal has air conditioning and ONLY stops for bathroom/lunch breaks. In fact, in my experience, all Akamba buses are pretty disciplined about stopping only at official stops (unless there’s a breakdown or something of that nature).
Sorry about the cold. I’ve also spent many nights shivering as I traveled between Nairobi and Kampala. The solution for me was to LAYER my clothes. I learned to do this during cold Canadian winters, and it worked like a charm fighting Rift Valley cold nights. Other than that, I’ve also found that Scandinavia Express offers the best insulation from the night cold. I am not sure that Scandinavia still operates between Nairobi and Kampala, but you could try and find out.
I hope that’s helpful.
Biche
Hey extremely good blog!! Guy .. Lovely .. Incredible .. I’ll bookmark your weblog and take the feeds
also…
Hi Kai,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown!
Thanks so much for the kudos!
Biche
Just wondering if there are frequent buses from Mbale or Tororo to Nairobi?
Hi Carolina,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown! I have never traveled on that route before, so I cannot say, but I believe there should be. Check directly with Akamba.
Biche
Is the route from Nairobi to Kampala on Akamba Royal still 2500.00 KES? At the Malaba border crossing, are visas issued? Is the cost $50 for a visa here? Could I get off at Jinja if I so desired?
Thanks! Your blog has been very helpful!
Hi Kara,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown! For the most reliable answers, I recommend that you contact Akamba directly. Their website is AkambaBus.com. Off the top of my head: I believe you should be able to get a visa at the Malaba crossing; I am not sure what the current cost for foreign visas to Uganda is right now; and I believe you should be able to get off at Jinja.
Good luck with finding more information for your trip!
Biche
Hey
I am planning a trip to Kigali at the end of July 2014. Your post i very useful, i however am aware that Akamba is no longer operating. Which service would you recommend?
Many thanks
Kaitrana
Hi Kaitrana,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown and thanks for leaving a comment!
The question you ask is a bit of a difficult one for me to answer because I no longer live in Nairobi but I will try my best to give you a useful answer. If it were me, what I would do would be go to the top of River Road, the side near Fire Station (see map) where most of the buses that travel the region have an office and find one that goes to Kigali. If Regional is still open, then they should operate on that route (warning: I overturned while traveling on Regional so I can’t vouch for their safety!). Otherwise, further down on River Road, Kampala Coach also should serve the Nairobi-Kigali Route, and I’ve used them recently to travel from Dar es Salaam to Kampala. Their buses are spacious and quite comfortable, but alas nothing quite compares to Akamba in terms of safety, reliability, and range of destinations. Good luck on finding the perfect bus for you!
Cheers,
Biche
P.S. Out of curiosity, I’d love to know what you eventually settle on and what your experience on that service is. Come back and let me know in another comment!
Thanks for your reply. I never got around to going for the trip. I have been away for work but i am still planning to have an ‘Est African’ trip. For this Easter I am planning to do Kisumu-Kampala-Kigali-Mwanza- Kisumu spending at least two nights in each of these places. I will let you know how it goes.
Many thanks
That sounds like a lot of fun, Kiterana.
How do you plan to travel from Kigali to Mwanza? Is there a bus that plies that route or will you fly?
Biche
Hi
Want to travel from Nairobi to Kigali..how much is it?
Hi Meline,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown. Unfortunately, I have never traveled from Nairobi to Kigali in one go, so I have no clue how much it costs. Maybe you can check with a bus service such as Regional.
Biche
Akamba Bus Service folded long time ago. Currently, Kampala Coach and Simba Coach ply the route. I prefer Simba Coach. Called them and they said fare is Ksh 4,000
Hi Freddy,
Welcome to Chick About Town! Yes, sadly Akamba folded after more than 50 years in service.
I have traveled with Kampala Coach before but am yet to try Simba Coach. Thanks for the recommendation and info on the fare. Wow, that’s quite a bit more expensive than I remembered the price when I used to do the journey more often.
Thanks for leaving a comment!
Biche
Great experience here on long distance road travel. You’ve really taken you time to give details on what it entails and the options one has. Nice one!
Hello Biche,
I am planning a trip to Kenya and Uganda with my husband and 6 year old child. I was thinking of taking the bus from Nakuru to Kampala or Jinja in the day to see the countryside. Do you know whether there are buses from Nakuru to Kampala or jinja, and should I book tickets in advance or simply just get to Nakuru and hop on a bus?
Any advice would be useful.
Thanks
Arundhati
Hi Arundhati,
Welcome to Chick About Town, and thank you for your comment. Yes, there are many buses from Nakuru to Kampala and Jinja. The main route they ply are Nairobi-Kampala, with Nakuru and Jinja both being stops on that route. It should be very easy to get a good bus for the trip you want to make. And I totally understand why you want to make it: the scenery is gorgeous! (I just rode that route last week myself). My preferred bus on this route right now is Modern Coast Express. You could get to Nakuru and just hop on the bus, but you could also buy a ticket once you get to Nairobi. I prefer to purchase my bus tickets a day or two before I travel just to be sure that I will be able to travel on the dates I want.
Good luck with this. Have a great trip when you do go, and Merry Christmas! 🙂
Biche
Hi Biche,
I couldn’t make the trip out to Kenya & Uganda last year, but planning for this year. Do you still recommend the bus from Nairobi to Kampala? Thinking of hopping on at Nakuru.
Ciao!
Arundhati
Hi Arundhati,
My bus recommendation still remains the same. Apparently you can even book them online here: https://modern.co.ke though I have never tried to do that myself.
I wish you a great trip if you make it this time, and happy holidays!
Biche
Please am Goodluck by name,I want to travel from cameroon to Kenya Nirobi,how possible is it for me to get there,by road transport,and which transport company can take from cameroon,Or can i go by stoping to nearby contrries first,My destination is Nirobi,and i want to go by road ,anybody with good direction and transport company from cameroon,to enable me get there in kenya.
Hi Goodluck,
Welcome to Chick About Town, and thank you for your comment.
Wow, that’s an ambitious journey you are wishing to undertake, but if you make it, I am sure it will be so worth the experience! I have never heard of a bus company that plies the route Cameroon-Nairobi. Looking on Google map, it seems you would have to go through Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Uganda.
The advice I can give you is for the last leg of your journey. For that I recommend taking Modern Coast Express from Kampala to Nairobi. How you get from Cameroon to Kampala, though, I have no clue. I hope that helps somewhat.
Biche
Hallo there!
In december I hope to go backpacking through uganda for three weeks. After I saw this blog I came up with the idea of taking the bus from Kampala to Nairobi.
Currently I’m looking for a visa for Uganda and Kenya. For this the requirement is to have ticket for leaving the country. Do you know if I can book one if these busses online. So I can maybe apply for a east Africa tourist vision and visit Uganda Kenya and maybe even Tanzania.
Hoping to hear from you!
Martijn (NL)
Hi Martijn,
Welcome to Chick About Town! I am glad my blog has inspired you to visit more of East Africa. There’s lots to see, and I am sure you’ll have a trip to remember.
I am glad you asked the question, because until I tried to get you an answer, I had no clue that you could book bus tickets between Kampala and Nairobi online.
As you must have read at the top of this post, Akamba is no longer operational. Whenever I bus across East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda) nowadays, I use Modern Coast Express, which I have just learned has an online booking engine (https://modern.co.ke/). I have never used the online booking option but I can vouch for the bus service.
I hope that helps.
Good luck!
Biche
Very True. Modern Coast is the best for this route and possibly in all East African Routes (Kigali, Dar Es Salaam, Arusha, …). I have used the buses and they never disappoint.
mash East Africa is also reliable as a second option.
Hi Leo,
Modern Coast rocks, I cannot say enough how much! I, not so long ago, spent a journey from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam on Modern Coast watching a season of Game of Thrones on my laptop. Think how fast that journey went. And all because they have power sockets at each seat.
I am not sure I have ever used Mash before. I’ll look out for it if ever I am in a positon where Modern Coast is not available.
Biche