Nairobi

[Willyboy]

Been on this thread for two years, have a folder made up etc. Just wondering, for 10 day visit, thinking Nairobi only, but should I add Mombasa, or is it not worth it? From Mombasa thread it seems like it got quite worse, and not worth it? Highly planning a trip in next 4-6 weeks (mid to end September). Honestly, with the contacts I made in last two years via tinder etc. For banging purposes I'm good with Nairobi for whole 10 days. But thinking I might get bored, so train to Mombasa might be nice add to experience. Have anyone took that new train to Mombasa? Is it scenic? Or should I save time and take a flight. If I actually decide to go there?

https://metickets.krc.co.ke/

[ThinAir]

Been on this thread for two years, have a folder made up etc. Just wondering, for 10 day visit, thinking Nairobi only, but should I add Mombasa, or is it not worth it? From Mombasa thread it seems like it got quite worse, and not worth it? Highly planning a trip in next 4-6 weeks (mid to end September). Honestly, with the contacts I made in last two years via tinder etc. For banging purposes I'm good with Nairobi for whole 10 days. But thinking I might get bored, so train to Mombasa might be nice add to experience. Have anyone took that new train to Mombasa? Is it scenic? Or should I save time and take a flight. If I actually decide to go there?

[EastAfricaMan]

Wrong. If you leave any of the three EATV countries the EATV is VOID. As long as you stay within KE RW UG it is multientry BETWEEN these 3 countries. It doesn't cover the whole EAC just these three countries. But. there is confusion reigning supreme. If you depart to TZ. UG MIGHT let you back in. KE MIGHT NOT. After all its business. If you stand your ground and depending on the immigration officer he will sell or not sell a new single Entry VOA.

A "single" entry Kenyan VOA can be used to exit to TZ or UG and you can return within the validity of the 90 days to KE without paying for a new VOA. I know its confusing.

Neddy.

Well I'm certainly learning something new. Thanks for the info.

[Neddy69]

If you leave the EATV (KE RW UG) area I. E. Travel to TZ for example the EATV is void. If you want to reenter Kenya for example you need to buy a new visa.

EATV is multi entry even if you leave any of the 3 countries you can re-enter within the 90 days.

Wrong. If you leave any of the three EATV countries the EATV is VOID. As long as you stay within KE RW UG it is multientry BETWEEN these 3 countries. It doesn't cover the whole EAC just these three countries. But. there is confusion reigning supreme. If you depart to TZ. UG MIGHT let you back in. KE MIGHT NOT. After all its business. If you stand your ground and depending on the immigration officer he will sell or not sell a new single Entry VOA.

A "single" entry Kenyan VOA can be used to exit to TZ or UG and you can return within the validity of the 90 days to KE without paying for a new VOA. I know its confusing.

Neddy.

[Slowalk]

If you leave the EATV (KE RW UG) area I. E. Travel to TZ for example the EATV is void. If you want to reenter Kenya for example you need to buy a new visa.

EATV is multi entry even if you leave any of the 3 countries you can re-enter within the 90 days.

What I read, a multi-entry visa to EAC is not available. However, you show that one is. It sure makes sense to get a multi-entry version if its on the menu.

[Taurus1]

To come back to my question: To travel to TZ from Kenya for a few days I need to by an Visa for TZ and then on return again a visa for Kenya. Because the intial tourist visa is for a single entry only and the EATV is not valid.

Do I understand it right?

If you have a single entry visa for Kenya, you have to buy a visa for TZ and when you reenter Kenya the Kenyan visa ist still valid because you have not left the EA zone. Only requirement the visa is not expired.

[Amadeuss]

If you leave the EATV (KE RW UG) area I. E. Travel to TZ for example the EATV is void. If you want to reenter Kenya for example you need to buy a new visa.

EATV is multi entry even if you leave any of the 3 countries you can re-enter within the 90 days.

To come back to my question: To travel to TZ from Kenya for a few days I need to by an Visa for TZ and then on return again a visa for Kenya. Because the intial tourist visa is for a single entry only and the EATV is not valid.

Do I understand it right?

[Lover Africa]

If you leave the EATV (KE RW UG) area I. E. Travel to TZ for example the EATV is void. If you want to reenter Kenya for example you need to buy a new visa.

EATV is multi entry even if you leave any of the 3 countries you can re-enter within the 90 days.

[Neddy69]

There are 6 EAC countries: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, S. Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. I read that DRC may join in the future.

You can get individual country Visas but, but its my understanding that the EAC Visa is good for only 3 countries. The EAC Visa is a 90-day, single entry visa into the EAC but allows multiple entry between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. It is not renewable.

Correct. If you leave the EATV (KE RW UG) area I. E. Travel to TZ for example the EATV is void. If you want to reenter Kenya for example you need to buy a new visa. Its a bit complicated as TZ does NOT participate in the EATV programme.
@pookyman I wouldn't worry too much about the 180 day rule. Most countries don't give a rats ass about. UG RW you can easily get extension even over 3 months without leaving the country. Kenya has a rule 90 days plus 90 days extension after that you're supposed to leave the EAC. Just hop over the border to TZ would NOT suffice! There is 2 ways to deal with this problem. You fly to Addis Ababa and return after a couple of days and you're good for another 90+90 days. Or you give kito kidogo 30.000 ksh and you so to speak virtually leave and return to KE i.e. get stamped out and in with a new sticker. There's helpful minders full service. I know people who are here more than 10 years. In fact there is a Scotsman in his eighties in Mtwapa. He simply burned his passport. Hence nobody bothers deporting him.
Neddy

[Slowalk]

There are 6 EAC countries: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, S. Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. I read that DRC may join in the future.

You can get individual country Visas but, but its my understanding that the EAC Visa is good for only 3 countries. The EAC Visa is a 90-day, single entry visa into the EAC but allows multiple entry between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. It is not renewable.

[Amadeuss]

You mean Tanzania. Yes. You buy a TZ VOA and come back. It's only 4 hours from Mombasa. Take Modern Coast. They have 5 clubs. But most of the WGs there cater to the african taste.

Yes. Tanzania. Typo. Thanks! I got some infos about an active SW scene along the Hospital-Beach road.

[Neddy69]

Does this also apply for a short visit to Zimbabwe? I plan a reccee from Mombasa to Tanga.

You mean Tanzania. Yes. You buy a TZ VOA and come back. It's only 4 hours from Mombasa. Take Modern Coast. They have 5 clubs. But most of the WGs there cater to the african taste.

[Amadeuss]

You are correct. VOA for Uganda on all land borders available. Within the validity of 90 days and provided you are not leaving the EAC you can return to Kenya without paying for new Visa.
Neddy

Does this also apply for a short visit to Zimbabwe? I plan a reccee from Mombasa to Tanga.

[PookyMan]

You are correct. VOA for Uganda on all land borders available. Within the validity of 90 days and provided you are not leaving the EAC you can return to Kenya without paying for new Visa. make sure however that they give you 90 days. My sources tell me that nowadays there is a new phenomenon creeping up. Apparently when you fly into Nairobi the Immigration officer gives you only 30 days even if you insist on 90 days. A major annoyance as you have to go to Immigration to have it extended another 60 days free of charge. Mombasa still gives 90 days on arrival without batting an eyelid. Even if you cannot renew the EATV you just go to Immigration in Kampala and they sell you a single entry visa or you exit and buy new Kenyan VOA. Many options.

Thank you for the info Neddy69.

Now that I think about it, there's one more visa problem that I may run into: if my staying in Uganda exceeds the end date of my initial 90 days Kenyan VOA, I may not be able to get a new 90 day Kenyan VOA when returning into Kenya as this would exceed the 180 days max staying in East Africa. That problem could be avoided by extending the Kenyan VOA way before the 90 days expire. I tried that once, in Mombasa, but immigration refused to extend it before the last week of the visas validity. Other than that Mombasa immigration is efficient and without causing problems.

[Neddy69]

I did a search here, but I did not find this info. Probably some of the more experienced East Africa travellers have some boots-on-the-ground experience with this.

I plan to visit both Kenya and Uganda, for 180 days in total. Kenya first.

I read the East Africa visa (valid for 90 days) cannot be extended, so that's not an option, most likely.

Staying in Kenya and extending a 90 day single entry tourist visa is easy enough. Have done that before, in Mombasa, for 2200 kes.

When you travel from Kenya to Uganda you can buy a single entry tourist visa on arrival, like in Kenya, I think. At Entebbe airport only, or when you travel by bus via Busia too?

When returning from Uganda to Kenya (assuming within the first 90 days) is the Kenya visa still valid? I know 'single entry' suggests it isn't, but I read somewhere that it is nonetheless.

You are correct. VOA for Uganda on all land borders available. Within the validity of 90 days and provided you are not leaving the EAC you can return to Kenya without paying for new Visa. make sure however that they give you 90 days. My sources tell me that nowadays there is a new phenomenon creeping up. Apparently when you fly into Nairobi the Immigration officer gives you only 30 days even if you insist on 90 days. A major annoyance as you have to go to Immigration to have it extended another 60 days free of charge. Mombasa still gives 90 days on arrival without batting an eyelid. Even if you cannot renew the EATV you just go to Immigration in Kampala and they sell you a single entry visa or you exit and buy new Kenyan VOA. Many options.
Neddy