Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
»Most border posts don't have petrol stations or repair shops; you'll need to head to the
nearest large town.
BURUNDI
BORDER CROSSINGS
The main crossings are at Kobero Bridge between Ngara (Tanzania) and Muyinga (Bur-
undi); and, at Manyovu (north of Kigoma).
BUS
For Kobero Bridge: from Dar es Salaam, the Spider Coach (aka Taqwa) has a bus departing
Wednesdays at 6am to Bujumbura (Tsh105,000, two days) via Dodoma, Singida, Kahama
(where you'll overnight) and Nyakanazi. However, the route is long, uncomfortable and
speeding can be a problem. A better option is to start in Mwanza, from where the trip
is done in stages. Zuberly and Nyehunge lines have buses daily at 5.30am to Ngara
(Tsh16,000, seven to eight hours). Also, shared-taxis run all day from Nyakanazi to Ngara
(Tsh9000, two hours). Once in Ngara, there is onward transport to the Tanzanian border
post at Kabanga.
For Manyovu: Burugo Travel (their ticket office is at Kigoma's Bero bus stand) has a
'coastal'
(thelathini)
bus direct between Kigoma and Bujumbura (Burundi; Tsh13,000, five
hours) at 7am Monday and Friday. Otherwise, take a dalla-dalla from Kigoma to Manyovu
(Tsh4000, one hour), walk through immigration and find onward transport. There's always
something going to Mabanda (Burundi), where you can find minibuses to Bujumbura, three
to four hours away.
KENYA
BORDER CROSSINGS
The main route to/from Kenya is the good sealed road connecting Arusha (Tanzania) and
Nairobi (Kenya) via Namanga border post (open 24 hours). There are also border crossings
at Horohoro (Tanzania), north of Tanga; at Holili (Tanzania), east of Moshi; at Loitokitok
(Kenya), northeast of Moshi; and at Sirari (Tanzania), northeast of Musoma. With the ex-
ception of the Serengeti-Masai Mara crossing (which is currently closed), there is public
transport across all Tanzania- Kenya border posts.
TO/FROM MOMBASA
Buses between Tanga and Mombasa depart daily in the morning in each direction
(Tsh12,000 to Tsh15,000, four to five hours). There's nowhere official to change money at
the border. Touts here charge extortionate rates, and it's difficult to get rid of Kenyan shil-
