It wasn't hard for me to go to Tanzania from Kenya since they are neighbors countries and for this, I decided to take the BUUUUUS! 💁🏾🚍
My uncle back in Nairobi did wonder why I chose the cheaper and not quite safe option but with BLACK PANTHER #Wakanda4ever, I know we gotta trust our African infrastructures (🤞🏾). Anyways, I did it and got to Tanzania safe with all my body parts and Friends For Life made along the way! 💃🏾
I initially decided to take the bus because with all the countries and cities I wanted to visit afterward, I HAD TO SAVE UP and BE STRATEGIC IN MY SPENDING 💸. So first reason confessed, the second one was because I wanted to go to Arusha (post comiiiing up) and paying 30 USD for a 4h drive seemed like a pretty good deal! Finally, I wanted to see if the natural landscape was changing from Kenya to Tanzania (and I can now say it's not changing that much).
Soooo after thorough Google research and thousands of reviews read, I decided to go with Impala Shuttle ⬇️
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Not only their website mentions everything you need to know but they are also very effective when it comes to communication. I was happy because they had good prices, and according to reviews, the vans seemed comfortable (seemed I said). It wasn't horrible but you might be uncomfortable if you are tall and get a bad seat (I'm on the shortie side so it wasn't that much of an issue 🙃). They might assign you a seat and tell you that some seats are reserved so I would recommend getting on the bus as soon as boarding starts so that you choose your seat at your convenience.
They generally have departures early in the morning from Nairobi (which is good because you get early in Tanzania) and make sure everything from boarding to disembarkment goes smoothly. I was a little worried that they wouldn't have change since I was paying in USD but they did! In fact, you can pay in either currency (USD or Kshs) 👌🏾
We started off the trip with our driver distributing bottled water. Then, He gave us an idea of what the trip would look like (immigration process at the Kenya-Tanzania border, washroom stops etc), and finally provided us with Tanzanian immigration forms that needed to be filled beforehand to save time at the border. Everything went pretty smoothly and the company employees were of great help not only at the border but also once in Tanzania if you need help getting around. If you are going to Arusha, they drop you at the Impala Hotel in town (which looked like a really nice hotel!)
I wouldn't hide that the people I met during my trip were also sooooo helpful upon arrival and during the trip and I would forever be thankful for them 💕
NB: According to Tanzanian friends I made in the bus it is always better to change in Tanzania rather than in Kenya or outside. Bureau of changes in town are the best place to go for good rates, border changes or hotel changes don't help you that much
Overall, the trip was nice. I met new people, learned more about the differences between Tanzania and Kenya regarding culture and their people, and I also got to admire God's creation through the window. The pluses +++ for me were the two washrooms stops (one close to the border and one at the border) and the help I received for my heavy luggage (cz your girl still can't travel lightly 🙆🏾😂)
Overall,
Pros
- Efficient website and effective communication from the business
- Cheap/ Affordable
- Possibility to pay both in USD/Kshs
- Free bottled water
- 2 washroom stops
- Helpful and knowledgeable drivers
Cons
- If tshuttle is full, seats can get tight and uncomfortable especially if you are tall
- Takes longer than the plane