wazua Sat, Jan 25, 2025
Welcome Guest Search | Active Topics | Log In | Register

@Guka/ Mukiha/ SimonKabz/ JKMwatha/ McReggea...question on coast roads
Options
Previous Topic · Next Topic
Djinn
#1 Posted : Friday, March 12, 2010 1:56:03 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 11/13/2008
Posts: 1,565
If one wanted to get to Diani WITHOUT going via Mombasa especially not via Likoni Ferry....is there a "good" alternative by branchin off at miritini/mariakani onward to Kinango then Kwale then Ukunda?...

For now my definition of good is...

Good = average 70kph through the section
Good = arriving with all bolts and nuts, lumbar verterbrae, atlas and axis still functioning...

Any details on how many more km/hours this adds? Looking at Google maps it looks like its abt 20% more than via Mombasa-Likoni.

Any advice most appreciated...
Back to top
 Report Abusive | Report SPAM
Djinn
#2 Posted : Friday, March 12, 2010 2:07:23 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 11/13/2008
Posts: 1,565
Failing that, whats the latest on the Likoni Ferry? Crossing time used to be about 15-20 minutes...I hear its about an hour now...I'd rather use that hour driving than sitting in the stifling heat...
Back to top
 Report Abusive | Report SPAM
Wa_ithaka
#3 Posted : Friday, March 12, 2010 2:40:48 PM
Rank: Veteran


Joined: 1/7/2010
Posts: 1,279
Location: nbi
Its 3+ hours on a bad day
The Governor of Nyeri - 2017
Back to top
 Report Abusive | Report SPAM
Magigi
#4 Posted : Saturday, March 13, 2010 2:47:11 AM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 3/31/2008
Posts: 7,081
Location: Kenya
...if you have to use the ferry, be there at 8.00 am. After two or there trips the engine overheats and thats when it stalls...
... If you are going with family, get them life jackets - Dont take no chances brother...
...the other ferries on the way from Germany are also faulty. They were condemned long time ago
...our woes are not ending any time soon.
Back to top
 Report Abusive | Report SPAM | Edit by user: Saturday, March 13, 2010 6:38 AM | Reason: Not specified
simonkabz
#5 Posted : Saturday, March 13, 2010 6:26:55 AM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 3/2/2007
Posts: 8,776
Location: Cameroon
No idea on that one my dear brother. Also curious to know.
TULIA.........UFUNZWE!
Back to top
 Report Abusive | Report SPAM
Djinn
#6 Posted : Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:29:29 AM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 11/13/2008
Posts: 1,565
Magigi wrote:
...if you have to use the ferry, be there at 8.00 am. After two or there trips the engine overheats and thats when it stalls...
... If you are going with family, get them life jackets - Dont take no chances brother...
...the other ferries on the way from Germany are also faulty. They were condemned long time ago
...our woes are not ending any time soon.


@Magigi - thanks - that's useful advice about the timing though it might be hard to make it by eight unless we stay overnight on the Island (which is an option). Planned arrival is around midday (leaving at five am). The other option would be to leave is to do some night driving :(

Abt the life jackets - no good. You will recall with Mtongwe, a good number of those who drowned were capable swimmers who got latched on and dragged to the depths by non-swimmers...a very frightening prospect...

Does anyone know if the ferry operates late at night?
Back to top
 Report Abusive | Report SPAM
Djinn
#7 Posted : Saturday, March 13, 2010 11:44:17 AM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 11/13/2008
Posts: 1,565
From this link http://omba4kenya.blogsp...2008_07_01_archive.html it appears there IS a way aroun but via Mazeras not Mariakani. Search for the words "beat the ferry" on that page
Back to top
 Report Abusive | Report SPAM
Njung'e
#8 Posted : Sunday, March 14, 2010 7:46:06 AM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 2/7/2007
Posts: 11,935
Location: Nairobi
@Djinn,
I have always used the Likoni route.......but i have heard of Ndongo Kundu blah,blah by-pass (a mirage maybe).....and why?.Do you fear ferries?.They are not that risky.
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
Back to top
 Report Abusive | Report SPAM
Djinn
#9 Posted : Monday, March 15, 2010 1:11:51 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 11/13/2008
Posts: 1,565
@njung'e - no I do not fear ferries and I am sure I am capable enough to swim across the Kilindini channel (having done at least two triathlons in my life - brag, brag....)

What I am unsure about, as I pointed out above, is, whether I can swim halfway across with 5 coastarians clutching on to me while I myself try to save my kids and wife....I think you will agrees it would be a bit tricky even with life jackets....I am sure you know that many of those that went to the dark depths at Mtongwe were dragged down by stupid groups of people who thought floating individuals could save them...

So, I fear not the ferry, rather what would happen to those dear to me...
Back to top
 Report Abusive | Report SPAM | Edit by user: Monday, March 15, 2010 1:13 PM | Reason: Not specified
Djinn
#10 Posted : Wednesday, March 17, 2010 11:33:03 AM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 11/13/2008
Posts: 1,565
Today's (17 March 2010) Daily Nation Page 8 - photo about stalled ferry ....
Back to top
 Report Abusive | Report SPAM
mukiha
#11 Posted : Wednesday, March 17, 2010 12:51:07 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 6/27/2008
Posts: 4,114
I was in Diani last Xmas and the Likoni ferry was not that bad. Average Waiting time was 15 to 30 minutes....but that was 3 months ago.

I've heard of some by-pass routes but have never used them: (1) Miritin - Kinango - Kwale - Diani OR (2) Mazeras - Kinango - Kwale - Diani.

Perhaps you can try them out and let us know
Nothing is real unless it can be named; nothing has value unless it can be sold; money is worthless unless you spend it.
Back to top
 Report Abusive | Report SPAM
Djinn
#12 Posted : Wednesday, March 17, 2010 1:08:53 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 11/13/2008
Posts: 1,565
@Mukiha - I will most certainly do that (last week of April). I may even include pictures if the road is especially bad/good - assuming I can figure out how to insert pictures in this forum.

I am more inclined to try the Mazera's route.

Funny thing, when you ask Google Maps to advise of a route...starting in Nairobi...it directs one to ...(drum roll)....Thika Road!!!...Garissa Road!!!!....etc and somehow ending up in Diani - and it gives the total distance as abt 950 km (which I do not dispute since it calculates the distance via Thika, Garissa...). Google Maps IS useful for navigation (if you have GPS on your mobile). But right now its directions feature is no good. Download free for Windows Mobile 6/Blackberry and I believe some models of Nokia...
Back to top
 Report Abusive | Report SPAM
Njung'e
#13 Posted : Wednesday, March 17, 2010 1:28:48 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 2/7/2007
Posts: 11,935
Location: Nairobi
I have a feeling it's the road that joins Kwale near the southern gate of Mwalughanje elephant sanctuary.
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
Back to top
 Report Abusive | Report SPAM
mukiha
#14 Posted : Thursday, March 18, 2010 6:30:06 AM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 6/27/2008
Posts: 4,114
@Njung'e; probably, and the last time I visited that area (2006, I think), the section from Shimba Hills to Mwaluganje was not interesting.... but the Elephants made up for the rough ride. TOO MANY of them to the point KWS had to trans-locate some
Nothing is real unless it can be named; nothing has value unless it can be sold; money is worthless unless you spend it.
Back to top
 Report Abusive | Report SPAM
Djinn
#15 Posted : Wednesday, April 28, 2010 8:22:03 AM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 11/13/2008
Posts: 1,565
I promised to report back - sadly I did not take to road less traveled and went via the island. Arrived at the ferry around 1430 on a Saturday - took abt 1.5 hours - they have to ferry tankers alone so that exacerbated things in terms of the delay.

On return (a Wednesday), I think our timing was pretty good - crossed the ferry in about 8 minutes (the total time from arriving at the ramp, driving on and driving off).

Sadly around Makupa and Changamwe, the roads are pretty bad and very heavy traffic (matatus and 18 wheelers). Also very dusty.
Back to top
 Report Abusive | Report SPAM
Users browsing this topic
Guest (3)
Forum Jump  
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.

Wazua Club SK Theme
Powered by YAF | YAF © 2003-2009, Yet Another Forum.NET
Copyright © 2025 Wazua.co.ke. All Rights Reserved.