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

[Niallo]

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

[mrg46]

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

[Niallo]

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

[ghenk]

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

[MountainMan]

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

[Niallo]

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

[mrg46]

Hi

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

Originally Posted by MountainMan

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.

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.