Nairobi to Johannesburg by Road

Traveling from Kenya to South Africa by bus, motorcycle, overland truck, or flight.

Have you ever wondered how you can travel from Nairobi to Johannesburg by road (Overland, Bus, Motorcycle, and Hitchhiking), railway (trains), or air (Flights)? Are you still thinking of taking on the adventure? Guess what? You are not the only one!

A while back I asked myself the same question and could not get useful information on the internet. Being a budget solo traveler, I was specific about the possibility of traveling from Kenya to South Africa using buses or trains. In 2017, I went on a backpacking trip south and ended up turning back to Bulawayo in Zimbabwe.

South Africa is a great travel destination with Johannesburg and Cape Town being the most preferred cities by travelers and tourists from around the world – including Kenyans.

There are a couple of ways in which one can travel between Nairobi, Kenya, and Johannesburg, South Africa. This will depend on why you are going there (Business, adventure, study, vacation, etc.), time of the year, budget, and urgency among others.

This guide is for people who are seeking an adventure along the journey on a budget and have time to spare on the road. I will also try to give an insight into other means you can use to ease your travel between these two countries.

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How to travel from Nairobi to South Africa

  • Using direct or connecting flights
  • By road using an overland truck, personal vehicle, or motorcycle
  • Bus connections from Nairobi via Dar es Salaam and Lusaka
  • By Buses and trains
  • Hitch Hiking (For the rough adventure junkies)

 

#1 Using direct or connecting flights

Traveling by Bus from Nairobi to Johannesburg google flights

The best tool to check – Prices, Airlines, and Time

If you have limited time, the fastest way to travel from Nairobi to South Africa is by using flights. There are daily direct flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). The air distance between the two airports is about 4 hours with the major airlines on this route being Kenya Airways and South African Airways.

For those who want to explore other countries, you can use connecting flights through Maputo (Mozambique) or Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).

Fare prices for flights change throughout the year depending on the season and start from about $350. You can check the flight duration, air distance, and prices between Nairobi and Johannesburg using websites like Google Flights, Kayak, Expedia, Booking.com, and Sky Scanner.

 

#2 By road using an overland truck, personal vehicle, or motorcycle

And the adventure begins! For those that love adventure and experiences, traveling between Johannesburg and Nairobi overland or using a motorcycle is the best way. The route has a lot to see, places to visit, and things to do. The rich landscapes of Africa, cultural ways of her people, beautiful white sand ocean beaches, lakes, mountains, hills, valleys, and nature will fill your soul with memorable experiences.

By using these means, you have a choice of which route to take and countries to pass by. One of the commonly used routes starts from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam to Lusaka (Zambia) via Tunduma/Nakonde border, Lusaka to Francistown (Botswana) through Victoria Falls, and finally Francistown to Johannesburg via Groblersburg.

For the purpose of this post, I may not be able to give you a complete guide on the amount of money you expect to use along the way. There are forums that can help you more including Trip Advisor, Lonely Planet, and Africa Motorcycle Diaries among others.

Always remember to carry the necessary essentials and documents like your Passport, Visa, Yellow fever card, Logbook, Driving License, and Money.

 

#3 Using Bus connections from Nairobi to Johannesburg

Traveling by Bus from Nairobi to Johannesburg Juldan Motors

Photo Courtesy of Juldan Motors

This is one of the best ways to travel between Nairobi and Johannesburg. You don’t have to incur high flight charges or endure the effects of driving or riding for long distances. If you are on a hired truck, then that’s even better!

There are no direct buses between Kenya and South Africa but you can easily connect buses from Nairobi to Tanzania, Tanzania to Zambia, and then Zambia to South Africa.

Buses from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam

There are a number of direct buses from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam. The best bus companies on this route are Modern Coast, Tahmeed, and Dar Express. These buses leave Nairobi on a daily basis and take about 15 hours to travel between the two cities. The last time I traveled this route was with Modern coast bus. We passed through Namanga, Arusha, and Moshi to Dar es Salaam and the bus fare price was Kshs 3500.

Buses from Dar es Salaam to Lusaka

Ubungo Bus station is the main hub for buses traveling to major cities in East and Southern Africa. Passengers can get direct buses from this station to the Inter-City Bus station in Lusaka, Zambia through Tunduma/Nakonde border. The major bus companies on this route are Taqwa Bus Service and Falcon Coach. You can expect to pay Kshs 4,500 for a distance of about 32 hours.

You can also opt to take trains for this route. There are direct trains from Dar es Salaam to New Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia and from there you can take a 4-hour bus to Lusaka. This is the most convenient and amazing way to travel from Tanzania to Zambia.

Buses from Lusaka to South Africa

I would recommend this route for adventure junkies who can endure many hours on a bus especially after traveling from Dar es Salaam. You can travel from Lusaka (Zambia) to Johannesburg by bus which would take a total of about 27 hours.

The best bus companies on this route are Juldan Motors, Intercape Bus Company, Shalom Bus services, and Mazhandu Family Bus.

Juldan motors have daily buses from Lusaka to Jo’Burg which depart from Intercity Bus Station at 08:00 am and their bus fare charges start from 500 Kwacha.

 

#4 Hitch Hiking (For the rough adventure junkies)

While this may not be the wisest choice, I know a couple of people who have done it! Hitchhiking travel would be ideal for adventure junkies who have time and are not willing to spend a lot of money.

There are many long-distance trucks that serve the Great North Road from Cairo to Cape Town. These trucks could be the best option when it comes to hitching hiking. Along the way, there are many cheap lodges and backpacker hostels which would save you on accommodation.

 

Travel requirements for Kenyan Citizens to South Africa

Traveling by Bus from Nairobi to Johannesburg Visa Requirements for Kenyan Citizens

Visa Requirements for Kenyan Citizens 2018 – Wikipedia

If you have already settled on this trip, whether it’s going to South Africa by bus, flight, overland, or motorcycle from Kenya, you will need a number of essentials and travel documents at the minimum. Some of the items you would need are;

  • Valid travel passport and Visa
  • Yellow fever vaccination card
  • Money
  • Other essentials depending on the means of travel

Please note: Kenyan citizens require a Valid Visa to visit South Africa. This can be applied for and obtained at South Africa Visa offices in Nairobi, Kenya. No Visa is required to visit Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Namibia. You also don’t need a Visa to visit Mozambique. See the Visa requirement map for Kenyan Passport Holders.

Useful travel tips and resources

Sharing is caring. If you have any useful information to add to this article, please leave a comment below or contact me.

Happy Travels!



60 Comments

Busbora

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mark

the remaining part is getting my motorebike for real thanks alot for these info

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John

Thank you for your information i am planning to visit south Africa soon

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Najib

All I needed to know is here and I’m gonna start my journey today and guess what I’m going on hitchhike to s.a wish me luck

Antony Murimi

Will travel to south Africa on January 3rd 2023.

I thank the Excellency Cyril Rhamaphosa for allowing Kenyans to travel to South Africa Visa free. This shows the strong attachment between these 2 countries

Noah Biwott

Thanks alot for this information i just would like to know the requirements of getting a visa

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Brenda Mihady

Thankyou!

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Abdul Razak

Good information. Although I’m a Ghanaian with Ghana passport living in Mombasa Kenya wanted to travel by bus to South Africa. Where can I get a bus to South Africa in Mombasa? I really need your help and guidance

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Patrick Machayo

Informative. I think I will take the Bus and Train combination Nairobi to Cape Town.

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Eshrat

looking for a group who would love to join for this trip from Nairobi to south Africa.

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David

HELLO ESHRAT HOW IS YOU IAM MULA FROM MOMBASA IWOULD LOVE TO JOIN YOU ON THAT TRIP TO SOUTH AFRICA WHEN ARE YOU PLANNING TO GO?

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Edna

The info is very updated

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Joe

I would like to join your group, include contacts please

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charles mathenge

Am actually thinking the same. but mostly planning to visit the mountains of Lesotho.

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Liz

Let’s make a group l.am really interested in going to South Africa by road

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Okechukwu Nwokolo

I need a contact number to call

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Titiah

Helpful information. Planning to do this.

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Ken Nzioka

I find this helpful. I really needed this info. I’ll definitely try this out.

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Kobe

Looking forward to a road trip from Nairobi to S.A. via road via backpacking Twitter @mugambihalisi

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Auntie Marj

Very helpful information. I didnt know it was possible to travel to South Africa by road.

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kenyanbackpacker

It is very possible using buses, trains, overland trucks or even motorcycles. Hitchhiking is also possible.

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Peter

Would like to travel from Nairobi to South Africa.

KURGAT

A thougt of travelling crossed my mind and i tried checking on air tickets n the cost wasn’t worth . then i thought of road . On googling your article came up first. it is informative and really enlightening. I do have a rough idea now of what to expect . THANK YOU.

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Francis

Great stuff, I’m praying for God to bless me with this trip after my graduation this year

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Moris

Thanks for the information. Very helpful and precise.

Bhoke

Very informative. Thanks for sharing.

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Bhoke

Just what I needed. Thanks for sharing

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Sherry

Just what i needed to read now can plan the road trip asap.. Thanks

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Elisabela

Can you please roughly tell me how much in dollars or Kenyan shillings it cost you to travel to SA from Nairobi by bus. I’m traveling at the end of September solo and I would like to know the estimated cost. Please, anyone

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Pretty

Also planning to travel to South Africa before end of this year. Please anyone who can give a rough approximate of how much one could need to travel to South Africa

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Sharon

Coincidentally I did this trip late December/ Early January. 21 days road trip from Nairobi to Cape Town . One of the best and worst days of my life. It’s definitely a
Travel Bucketlist

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Elisabela

Could you please publish for me how much in dollars you used to get to SA. I’m travelling by bus alone end of September, I could really use the information as I need this trip.

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Wendy

Thanks for the helpful information. In the throes of planning a trip from Nairobi to Maseru. This was really helpful. Do you know of any tour companies that do the route / any part of the route on an overland truck?

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kenyanbackpacker

Thanks, Wendy. There are a number of companies that go to Victoria falls and Capetown. Check out Oasis Overland, Bunduz, and Africa Budget Safaris

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Malibu

Thank you for sharing, how come you turned back at Zimbabwe?

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John

Very useful

Ruth

Thank you for sharing. Just what I needed

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daniel

Really useful information

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Kui

Your articles are very helpful and informative. In the early stages of planning for a road trip from Kigali to Zim/Botswana in November and your website has been a great resource. Keep up the good work! Sharing is indeed caring 🙂

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Kubwimana

Kui, I am in kgl too i wanna do that trip kgl to Botswana

Would u help me to join just needed this trip

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Jonah Angir

This is the information I wanted. But how is the COVID-19 situation down south?

Ven

If you’re driving through so many countries how do you handle the log book issue? Cause I once tried to drive into Tanzania and they wouldn’t let me through without leaving my log book with them

James

Thanks for advice.
suppose your have a cargo you want to transport from Nairobi to maseru by truck.
what are the logistics?

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kenyanbackpacker

I don’t know about this. Maybe you can talk to logistics companies.

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Ayebesa abias

Thank u so much, but I would like to know how much money I need to use in that travel from Kenya to South Africa put in us dollars.

Darius

Hello, which one you would prefer in July to visit SA or Kenya? I am mainly into nature, wildlife and authentical culture.
By the way, the trip layout looks amazing, thinking about getting Motorbike and seeing as much as I can of East, South and West of Africa

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kenyanbackpacker

Hello Darius, If you have time I think both countries are worth a visit. But if you have time for only one country, I would go with Kenya. Not just because I am from Kenya but because I have been to SA too. In Kenya, you will see all wildlife, interact with local people, engage with nature, hike and it is easier to access the rest of east Africa easily.

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Nyamai d

Just what I have looking for! Thanks a mil!

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kenyanbackpacker

You are welcome Nyamai. Remember to share. Someone else may be looking for the information.

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Ray

Quite a read! I have learned one two things i didn’t know,thank you

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kenyanbackpacker

Hello Ray, Thank you. I have read about your trip to Garrisa, that’s so brave. Are there places to visit and things to do around the town? Did you go by road? Cheers!

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Ray

Sorry am seeing this now🙈. I cannot really say there are places to visit but one can explore. It all depends on what you are interested in. Yes i did go by road. If you are to use public transport its just 5hrs from nbo

Gloria

thank you

jack

am looking for a group to travel south together early next year

Reply

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