Kenya - Time for Plan B - What is plan B??
 

Howdy folks

I've been trawling through vatious news sources re current situation in Kenya and it ain't looking great.

There's a good few people on the HUBB heading down the east African route in the next 2 or 3 months - so no harm in seeing what Plan B options there are in case we have to avoid going into Kenya.

Heading south from Ethiopia there's not alot of options unless you cut back into Sudan`then go into Uganda.

Alternatively you'd have to skip both Ethiopia and Kenya go straight through Sudan all the way to Uganda.

Either way, it'll be a pain and a shame to miss out on Kenya + possibly Ethiopia.

Anyone elas been looking at alternatives for this route???

Niallo

Also stumped
 

Hi

I've also been thinking about this. All I could come up with is as you say all the way through Sudan - Uganda - TZ. But I've heard very little of travel along Southern Sudan and it sure does look like a mega trek.

If the Kenya situation remained the same (didn't get worse) I'd be tempted to try crossing in a convoy of others, but that does make it simply a transit through the country.

I'm following the progress of a couple of other travellers heading through Kenya imminently so will report here if they come up with a plan B, or not.

Cheers

Plan C
 

Hello mrg46 (am guessing you have a real name)

Lets hope it improves. Plan B options are not ideal as southern Sudan was somewhere I'd hoped to avoid as was northern Uganda.

You say you'd be tempted to try crossing in a convoy of others if the situation stated the same as currently. Not sure I'd do it - just don't fancy running road blocks and stuff - bull bar or not!!!

At this moment in time I'm thinking of having a Plan C ready which is west coast. If Kenya gets worse then I'll make the call on departure date - 31st March.

Keep us posted re the blogs you're watching. We need to pool as much info on this as possible!

Cheers

Niallo

I am in the same position. Leaving on 02 March and will be in Kenya in May (or June?). Was think if crossing in through Turkana anyway and I guess we could stick to this and then pass out of Kenya into Uganda just keeping to teh western edge. Problem is that this is where most of the trouble is. Although it does seem like tribal trouble and I am not sure how it will affect westerners. Has anyone had any feedback?

The Sudan to Uganda option is a possibility although I have been told that tourist travel in South Sudan is not possible and that the border between Sudan and Uganda is closed. I will try and dig out source of these reports. Has anyone heard any different?

Personally I am sticking to Kenya for now as May is a long way off in African time and a lot can happen either in Kenya or any counrty on the West Coast route (which I think is probably the best alternative).

I would be keen to hear what the more experienced guys views are and I for one would certainly listen to what they have to say!

Bruce
onewaysouth.com

Planning
 

There a motley gang of bikers hanging out in Ethiopia pondering the very same question.

Plan A is to head down through Moyale to Marsabit. After the couple of bikers were stranded there for 6 days waiting for fuel when the riots first started, it seems to be pretty much back to normal. Met South African on a KTM in Addis who just came up that way. No problems to report.

Plan B, but still choice for the adventurous, is to try the Lake Turkhana route and hope that the fuel shortages have resolved enough that there is fuel at the first maybe-have-blackmarket-fuel village. No one knows at this point. Otherwise, it's hitching a ride upon arrival there and returning with fuel.

Plan C, which was investigated by a wise couple, was to fly with bike from Addis Ababa to Tanzania. A bit pricey and some disassembly and reassembly required. Backburnered for now.

I wouldn't consider southern Sudan, you would be avoiding potential tension in a previously stable country (Kenya) to travel in a known unstable region. Not a lot of people are flocking to southern sudan as their go to option:)

We ran in a Spanish pedal biker today (Jan 22) north of Arba Minch who just rode his bike up through the west side of Turkhana. Drastic fuel shortages reported on the west side of the lake. He was lucky to get enough fuel for his stove in Lodwar after a week of searching the towns on the way up. There is also the warning of drifting bandits in the area north of Lodwar. Plus, the age old debate of whether you can actually get a boat big enough to carry your bike across and not sink is still raging. Applicatons for the first guinea pig to try it are being still being accepted.

How to get over to Uganda is an issue still. The hotspots of Eldoret and Kisumu are a question so it would be wise to go around. Some other detour options exist as well, feel free to drop me an e-mail to discuss more.

Within a couple of weeks, there will be a few that have rode down through the two routes and there will be some updated info to post at that point:)

Great info there!
 

Mountain Man

Thanks for the update from the coal face! Really useful.

Reassuring to hear theres no current problem with Moyale to Marasabit route.

Plan B, from your description sounds interesting to say the least!

If you get a chance - keep us posted - theres a good few people enroute and good info is hard to come by.

It'll be a few months yet before I'm there but i'll be watching closely.

Good luck

Niallo

Hi

Thanks for this info -very useful to follow the progress of those attempting to cross Kenya.

Did they give any indication of the cost of doing this? Its very much worth having as a last resort if things escalate etc. It certainly makes me confident of still going down the eastern route in a few months time.

It might be an option to keep east somewhere around Timbu and head directly to the Mombasa road.
The Mombasa road goes directly to Nairobi city center and not through the suburbs like the road from the north, or you can avoid Nairobi and head directly to Arusha via the same road.

It might also be possible to ride west at Archer’s Post to Kitale and then cross into Uganda north of Mt Elgon (Suam) and then leave from Uganda to Tanzania.
It’s a nice route (I have only done the part from Kitale) and Uganda is great but Kitale might be a bot dodgy..

Alibaba

Good options there - had a good look at them last night on my maps.

For anyone else watching with interest - interesting article here....

BBC NEWS | Africa | Kenyan ethnic attacks 'planned'

Cheers

Niallo

Plan C
 

Hi All

Call me a pessimist (or a realist) but I thought it worth investigating the above mentioned plan C of a cargo/freight flight from Addis to Dar. This option is so wrong on so many levels but then again so is the fact that things have kicked-off in Kenya as they have.

Anyway, the only direct carrier I could find on this route is Ethiopia Air. Although their website offers this route I contacted them and they aren't offering anything other than small freight items on scheduled passenger flights (no cargo).

If anyone knows of an alternative carrier please let us know. In the meantime I'll just keep an eye on this thread to see the updates from those attempting the crossing soon (or not)

Mark

Flying to Uganda might be a better option? IMHO it would be a shame to miss both Uganda and Kenya.
The reports from Nairobi don’t look very good but personally I would have got all the fuel I could carry in Ethiopia and headed south.

Ethiopia Airlines used to have access cargo flights; sure you talked to the right person?

The stretch from arusha to Nairobi is no problem as we speak. I'm in Nairobi now and even though the riots are 2 streets further, here it is safe, after the road block. the issue is severe but very local. Came acros a couple who came just form kisumu and who where there on the 'hottest' day without problems. Dont underestimate it, dont end up in the wrong place but driving trough the bad part of town 2 day's ago (my route came from a dirt road south west) was no problem.
If i have more info or parts that i travelled further up i'l post it here.

Thank you
 

Steven, thank you very much for the update. It's reassuring to hear.

Please do keep us updated on your experiences & travels there, and those of others you bump into.

Go well

Kenya Update
 

Currently in Nairobi after coming down though Lake Turkhana. Spectacular but not for most.

The situation in Kenya is complex to say the least. We are still collecting info but on the news and in the papers there is a ton of stories, each region is different and should be treated as such.

In brief, the situation is still volatile and will remain as such until there is an agreed upon, mediated solution. This could take a while. Until then, expect flare ups as the parties and suporters jostle for power punctuated by periods of relative calm and almost normalcy.

The main areas to watch out for are the capital (Nairobi) and any areas where inter settlement of different tribes (eg. Kisumu, Eldoret). When we came down from Maralal, the local missionairies recommended that we head east on secondary roads to Nanyuki and then onto Nairobi. Clearly they had good reason for doing so as on Sunday there was some clashes and deaths on the usual route straight south. One of the towns had seen little or no violence up until this point in time.

Most of the troubles and trouble spots can be avoided by careful planning, and very careful listening when you get close. It would be great to know well in advance, but the most relevant info is when you get near and you can talk to someone who just came though.

What can go wrong? Well, it goes without saying that almost everything. In general, they don't care too much about tourists but as the problems have continued, the unrest has created the opportunity for any random anarchists who can profit from violence to leap on the current situation and use it to further their own aims. A rare, but good example is of a 4x4, driven by tourists was out west and they came across a hastily erected roadblock. They made it around that one, but subsequently there were five more. By the time they were clear, their truck had suffered some serious damage to the windows and body by clubs and machetes. They were ok though, and when we saw the truck yesterday after two weeks in the body shop, it looked as good as new.

What would I recommend to anyone thinking of coming to Kenya? Still come, the preferred route would be through Moyale to Marsabit as it is still the major route and one of the first to be re-established if things flare up and the best availability for fuel etc. The campgrounds are empty of people, so you will have the place to yourself. Only drive during the day, ask along the way about the route and use common sense. Nairobi for now is fine, although we will minimize our stay here just in case. If you get close and yoiu hear that it has flared up, there are many roads to go around it and head south. We have crossed Uganda off our list as there is simply too much unrest in the western part, I would recommend you do the same. Please feel free to e-mail me if you would like any additional info, happy to help in any way that I can.

Cheers:)

Kenya update
 

There is another up to date and useful post here:-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...nya-news-32928