Going somewhere?

Over the last month we have been busy with travel *within* Kenya. Due to Google maps and the internet, we do have greater freedom and confidence to travel around the country. Here's a glimpse at the methods we have used to travel in Kenya over the last few years (and some options we have NOT opted for in our personal journeys). 

Planes:
Our preferred airline is JamboJet simply because they are the most consistent airline at Eldoret Airport. We can get direct flights to Kisumu, Mombasa, and of course Nairobi from Eldoret. As in North America, air travel is the safest and most expensive way to travel. The dangers of the road in Kenya make air travel MUCH more appealing here - and also too expensive for most of our neighbors.

Dominic was 4 years old the first time we flew to Eldoret

Nala arrived to Eldoret in this tiny private plane

Trains:
The SGR (Standard Gauge Railway) connects Mombasa and Nairobi, and passes straight through Tsavo National Park, which means you get a view of Mt. Kilimanjaro AND lots of animals as you travel.
The journey itself takes about 5.5 hours and since the train stations are a little far from the city on both sides, it's really a full day of traveling. It's fun, safe and very affordable as long as you have the time for it!

Capturing photos of the wildlife was difficult, so we just took pictures of each other

Automobiles:

Personal vehicles: Well beyond the resources most rural Kenyans is a private vehicle. Having a person vehicle gives us independence to get out of town when we're able on our own schedule, but also comes with some pitfalls, including run ins with law enforcement, high risk of accidents and getting lost in areas where Google maps is misleading.

Hitting the road for our first trip in our "new" car back in November 2020

We have to keep a keen eye out for wildlife on the road!

Taxi and Uber: most ex-patriates we know have phone numbers saved for local drivers who know the area well and are trusted.
Tuk tuks: we haven't personally used a tuktuk - they are more common in the flat lands like the coast. They look like a tricycle but enclosed.
Matatu (buses/commuter vans): These are a very common method of travel and are probably safer than motorbikes, but still have a LOT of accidents.
Motorbikes (piki piki or bota): This is the most affordable and flexible AND DANGEROUS mode of transportation that we encounter in Africa. It seems that nearly everyone who uses a motorbike has been in an accident (minor or major) at some point.

Boats: We've been on three boats in Kenya - a canoe at Crescent Island, a ferry in Mombasa, and a glass bottom boat in Diani.

Bikes: Kris and Dominic both have bikes that they ride around our station. Bikes are probably more common in other areas of Kenya, but due to the very hilly terrain around Kapsowar, they are not a common method of transportation here.

Kris bought Dominic's first bike at this used bike "shop" in Nairobi during language school

"God gave you two good legs..." As I commonly remind Dominic, we have a great method of transportation in our legs! Traveling around Kenya you will find that most people are outside most of the time, working in their fields or gardens, walking from one place to another, cooking or preparing food, getting water, conducting their business (taking advantage of the free lighting provided by the sun rather than putting their business inside and then artificially lighting it), or relaxing - watching their surroundings or socializing with neighbors rather than turning on a television, videogame, or computer. Many places are inaccessible by vehicle or bicycle.

Walking to see giraffes at Kruger farm