Nairobi to Dar es Salaam by bus, via Arusha

At a glance

• Nairobi to Arusha: about 6 to 6.5 hours by shuttle, including the border crossing.
• Nairobi to Dar es Salaam: about 15 hours by bus, depending on border traffic and road conditions.
• Border: Namanga One-Stop Border Post, between Kenya and Tanzania.
• Departures: shuttles to Arusha usually leave Nairobi in the morning, and some companies also run an early afternoon departure. Ask the company for the exact time.

Step 1: Nairobi to Arusha

Shuttles and buses leave Nairobi city centre and also collect passengers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Impala Shuttle is one company that runs this leg. The shuttle makes a rest stop about two hours into the drive and reaches Namanga a few hours later. Passengers are dropped at a central transport point or at the company office in Arusha.

The border at Namanga

At Namanga everyone gets off the bus with all their belongings to clear Kenyan departure and Tanzanian arrival. Crossing usually takes 30 to 45 minutes and can take up to an hour at busy times. Operators do not let passengers cross without valid documents.

• A valid passport (some travellers can use a national ID).
• A Tanzania visa. An e-visa can be applied for online before you travel.
• A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate, if it is required for you.

Vendors will approach you at the border. You can politely decline.

Step 2: Arusha to Dar es Salaam

From Arusha, long-distance buses continue to Dar es Salaam. The whole trip from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam takes about 15 hours. Ask your company whether you change buses in Arusha or stay on the same one.

Arriving in Dar es Salaam

Long-distance buses arrive at a bus terminal in Dar es Salaam. Ubungo is one of the main ones. Ask the operator which terminal your bus uses, then continue by taxi, ride-hailing or local transport.