SGR Nairobi – Mombasa Test Ride
There’s been a lot of controversy about Kenya’s largest infrastructure project since independence, centred mostly around the Kshs327 billion price tag. I’m not here to throw my weight behind any of the arguments, but simply to show you what I saw when I took a ride from Nairobi to Mombasa.
It was on the invite of IMG Events & PR that I joined a select group of about 200 people made up mostly of people from Kenya’s Tourism Ministry on a test ride that would take us 472 kilometres to the coastal city of Mombasa. This was on 13th April 2017.
We gathered at the Nairobi Terminus in Embakasi, off the A104 along the Old Mombasa Road. The usual Mombasa Road traffic didn’t allow me to get there in time to capture the terminus in the glorious sunrise of the day.
Inside the terminal building, we found construction workers busy putting finishing touches to escalators and other fittings that you’d expect to find in a modern railway terminus.
On the platform, the train was ready for boarding. It was a long one. Around 800 metres in length! That reduced our journey to Mombasa to 471.2 kilometres!
First Class Seating.
Third Class Seating.
We set off at around 8.30am, with ushers like the one above asking us to mind our step as we boarded the train. We rode smoothly past the Nairobi National Park where we could spot some wildlife grazing peacefully, and into the Kapiti Plains where we began to appreciate the beauty of Kenya even more. Two short hours later, we were in Mtito Andei, our first stop for the day.
It was a 20-minute stop so before we could take in all the beauty of the station, the train driver honked for us to get back onboard.
A few minutes later, we were in Voi.
All the stations are designed differently. This one has the V-shape from Voi.
Riding through Tsavo National Park, we saw several elephants covered in the signature red Tsavo soils, grazing in large herds.
Shortly, we were finally in Mombasa!
After lunch at the terminus, we got back in the train and in four-and-a-half hours, we were back to Nairobi.
You can watch a vlog I did about my experience below.
David Mutua
May 3, 2017 at 9:14 amAwesome captures!
maverick
May 3, 2017 at 9:21 amlooks good.pics are timam!ei mutua wsup man.longtime
Francis
May 25, 2017 at 5:45 pmI like the “gugu” when the old one used to depart lol…. such fond memories and good to note the difference with the much smoother start that you had with this new one 🙂
Francis
May 25, 2017 at 8:51 pmI like your** “gugu” when the old one used to depart lol…. such fond memories and good to note the difference with the much smoother start that you had with this new one
It was great riding with you. I look forward to the experience as well
Mathenge MJ Stanley
May 7, 2017 at 7:23 amI have followed your travel to Mombasa through the pictures very well! And it’s exciting!
However on closer scrutiny l wonder whether you’ve catered for persons with disability? Can l board the train with my wheelchair?
mwarv
May 7, 2017 at 8:50 amFrom what I saw, the trains and stations are wheelchair friendly.
Mathenge MJ Stanley
May 7, 2017 at 10:23 amThe picture of the first class couch shows a very narrow path or corridor?
Are you sure l can wheelchair through this path to the loose?
mwarv
May 7, 2017 at 11:35 amThat I’m not certain about. I can check during the next test ride and let you know.
Brian
May 3, 2017 at 9:28 amSoooo good brother!
Katts
May 3, 2017 at 10:01 amLove the Vlog, now I want to go for the train ride.
rubanimbugua
May 3, 2017 at 10:18 amLovely
Karugo Mwangi
May 3, 2017 at 10:23 amReally well documented. Better than the SGR pics I’ve seen.Cant wait to go for that ride!
mwarv
May 3, 2017 at 9:13 pmThanks! You’ll enjoy the ride.
Carlos
May 4, 2017 at 6:53 amHey bro, what’s the pricing?
mwarv
May 4, 2017 at 6:58 amNo indication on prices yet.
Mis lia
May 3, 2017 at 12:14 pmMwav,
Thanks for documenting this, its absolutely phenomenal..
Now, is there an indication of how much the rates for the train rides will be?
mwarv
May 3, 2017 at 12:16 pmNo indication on rates yet. We’re all waiting for those.
Matts
May 17, 2017 at 7:00 pmWhat am worried about is from the Mombasa terminal how do we get to town
mwarv
May 17, 2017 at 7:11 pmThe terminal is right next to the airport. Kenyans are enterprising. There’s bound to be matatus and shuttles to help get people to town.
Ms. Mollah
May 3, 2017 at 12:49 pmAbsolutely love it!!! Fantastic photos.
mwarv
May 3, 2017 at 9:13 pmThanks Ms Mollah!
Njuguna Ngwachet
May 3, 2017 at 1:22 pmThis is a beauty..
Susan Kirubi
May 3, 2017 at 2:15 pmBeautifully done. Can’t wait to embark on the train ride. The terminus are so modern. Someone would think you are in Europe not Kenya. Kudos to the architecture team(s)
mwarv
May 4, 2017 at 2:15 pmIt’s one more thing we can celebrate about Kenya.
TheMarkN
May 3, 2017 at 2:29 pmGood work man.
mwarv
May 3, 2017 at 9:12 pmAsante!
Naomi
May 3, 2017 at 4:05 pmGreat piece! Well done vlog!
mwarv
May 3, 2017 at 9:12 pmThanks Naomi!
Okaka
May 3, 2017 at 4:39 pmthis is quite amazing Sensei
bankelele
May 3, 2017 at 4:40 pmAwesome pics
Let me get in touch with them and see how the train runs
Muchina
May 3, 2017 at 5:56 pmAwesome!
Geokim
May 3, 2017 at 6:24 pmIt must have been a sweet ride
mwarv
May 3, 2017 at 9:11 pmYes it was. Very relaxing.
Jazz
May 3, 2017 at 8:02 pmSuper cool Mwarv
Kash
May 3, 2017 at 8:54 pmSuperb job! How long was the ride to County 001?
mwarv
May 3, 2017 at 9:11 pmMombasa Nairobi took us 4.5 hours without stops
Midega
May 4, 2017 at 4:35 amDid they mention proposed ticket prices for the different classes?
mwarv
May 4, 2017 at 6:58 amThere’s a team working on ticket prices. They’re yet to be made public.
Njeri Gakuo
May 3, 2017 at 11:39 pmExcellent vlog and fantastic images!
Miriam
May 4, 2017 at 4:17 amI am definitely using train to mombasa soon, look amazing and very modern.
Barasa Bonface
May 4, 2017 at 7:39 amWow,its wonderful oh my God, thanks to the Government for the great job
Patrick Mutwiri
May 4, 2017 at 7:43 amI just travelled to mombasa using this article.
#fan
Godfrey
May 4, 2017 at 7:47 amThe team marketing SGR should focus more on business travel, family and students. These are the regular travellers that will keep SGR going. Tourism is seasonal. There should be strong focus on pricing, scheduling and convenience.
mwarv
May 4, 2017 at 2:16 pmGood point. I’ve asked them to check the comments here to get a feel of people’s mood towards the project.
Kwai
May 4, 2017 at 8:13 amGreat work Kirubi and company.
Samuel
May 4, 2017 at 9:12 amAwesome Photos
Felix
May 4, 2017 at 9:19 amLook exciting. Awsome pics,,I long to travel with my family and have the experience. My view is that, SGR should focus more on Kenyas. Other than tourists. As one of guys here said. Families,,students and business people travel alot. So its should more fun. Once on track,,,i will boycott air and buses for train.
Jon
May 4, 2017 at 10:42 am“That reduced our journey to Mombasa to 471.2 kilometres” 😂😂 Good one.
Tiga langata
May 4, 2017 at 10:43 amCan you please give us more info on these things?:
Comfort level of the seats
How long the stop in Voi was
Exact journey times with and without stops
mwarv
May 4, 2017 at 2:19 pmIt was a test run so timings and stops weren’t scheduled. However, Mombasa to Nairobi took us 4.5 hours non stop. The seats are comfortable. And there’s space in the carriages so unlike a bus, one can walk around and stretch their legs.
Evance Junia.
May 4, 2017 at 10:49 amFantastique.Can’t wait for a ride.
Maritime
May 4, 2017 at 12:11 pmAmazing and stunnings shots right there. You have a Great art of photography.Kudos!
James Waweru
May 4, 2017 at 12:14 pmBeautiful pictures Mwarv, we finally get to see the finished product.
Kudos to the development team, GoK.
Thanks Mwarv for the virtual tour.
mwarv
May 4, 2017 at 2:17 pmYou’re very welcome. I appreciate the kind words.
Njoroge
May 4, 2017 at 3:08 pmYou are such a great photographer. Many thanks for sharing your story here.
Murad swaleh
May 4, 2017 at 3:24 pmAmazing captures Mwarv.
RK
May 4, 2017 at 3:28 pmAbsolutely beautiful! Well done GOK!
Jasminder
May 4, 2017 at 7:43 pmGreat stuff! But a few things need clarifying- does the train have different classes? 1st, 2nd etc?
Does it have a restaurant wagon?
Lastly, i think the huge windows without any sort of sunshade is a big minus, unless they have some sort of UV protection.
Finally…seatbelts?
Wanjiku
May 5, 2017 at 12:16 pmMy dear…even the high speed trains in the uk don’t have seat belts! Trains are not like buses and airplanes
Alex
May 9, 2017 at 12:53 amWanjiku, I think your response to Jasminder is a bit heavy in tone because he just wants answers to some questions. I’ll answer what I know, and if you know more about the train, kindly share because I too would like to know. Cheers darl!:-)
Jasminder, there’s 1st class and Coach..no 2nd class. Restaurant wagon? – no clue, as regards the large windows and the sun? – no clue, However, I’m inclined to believe that this can easily be sorted out with curtains; If not already.
Andy
May 20, 2017 at 7:53 amSorry but US trains have seat belt
Sean
May 11, 2017 at 1:50 amFrom past experiences in Europe(Switzerland, Portugal) Dubai, UAE I haven’t seen a train with seat belts so I’m sure the Kenyan SGR wouldn’t be an exception. Regarding the huge windows, most trains I have been are similar but have a layer to shield you from extreme heat but the trains themselves have air condition (don’t know about the SGR) maybe Mwarv can let us know!
mwarv
May 11, 2017 at 6:47 amThe Kenyan SGR coaches are air conditioned so that should take care of excessive temperatures. I actually loved the large windows as they make it easy to sight see and give the coaches a roomy, airy feel.
Mike Karoch
May 4, 2017 at 11:38 pmSimply magnificent…congratulations UhuRuto for the wonderful modern railway which I understand can be up graded into an electric one.
Felistus
May 5, 2017 at 11:00 amWow. This is just awesome. Well done. Now, where do the mainstream media usually get the urgly photos they always show to us?
Kuri
May 5, 2017 at 7:05 pmAsante sana Mwarv for documenting your experience with such creative precision…those pics look futuristic, hard to believe its now accessible to us. Keep up the really awesome work sir!
Maurice
May 7, 2017 at 2:26 pmMwarv, as always great captures, precise, clean and magical just what i expected. That experience clearly allows the naysayers and optimists to shut up and enjoy the ride. #SGRWOKE
Alex
May 9, 2017 at 12:30 amA step closer to not being a 3rd world country anymore!
Fantastic job with the photography.
I did notice though that you replayed the recording from the Nairobi terminal when you were in Voi – when you were running late..10mins to departure. Nonetheless, that won’t take the shine off this piece.
I share your concerns about maintenance of the interior. More likely than not, the nice interior of the trains will be short-lived. It Angers me that basic etiquette is a foreign concept here. Unless the government applies harsh penalties, these trains will end up looking the same as the ones at Railway station, only faster.
Winnie Oduol
May 10, 2017 at 4:23 amDo you mean the stop over from Nairobi is Mtoto wa ndei to Mombasa and from Mombasa to Nairobi is Voi, What happened to the rest of the stations which we had before like the Kenya Railways used to have?
mwarv
May 10, 2017 at 5:24 amOurs was a test ride. There’ll be other stops along the way.
Kabura
May 10, 2017 at 12:07 pmFascinating piece as always Mwarv!
You just convinced me to ride on the train…..
Bob
May 10, 2017 at 9:07 pmOur family enjoyed taking the NGR from Nairobi to Mombasa in the 1980s and 90s. That was fun, but the new SGR looks great. Love your pictures and video.
Bhumit bhattessa
May 12, 2017 at 7:13 pmAny idea when the train services start?
mwarv
May 12, 2017 at 7:15 pmNo idea. The government seems tight lipped on that.
Maish
May 16, 2017 at 9:21 amGreat piece of info and lovely images. Looking forward to enjoy the ride once services start.
NDUNG'U wa NJENGA
May 23, 2017 at 1:06 pmBoy, this is a great piece of work. You got the moves, keep it up.
Kemuntobear
May 26, 2017 at 3:39 amI want to book for mombasa on 31 st May.we do I book for the Sgr ticket
mwarv
May 26, 2017 at 8:55 amPlease check with Kenya Railways. Thanks.
Nichy Janjy
May 27, 2017 at 11:39 amThis is awesome man; If at all this is real am on it on sarturday morning 3rd to Mombasa and Back on Sunday eve ready for Job on Monday At City Cabanas Nairobi.
Omil john
May 29, 2017 at 6:58 pmKenya’s economy has deteriorated as a result of this SGR.. everything is imported including Labour.. it’s a loan that I will pay plus my siblings.. please Kenya’s managers ..spare the SGR.. DON’T EAT IT TO GROUND.
Mary
June 3, 2017 at 7:32 amI inquire for a vacancy in your firm (s g r) for maybe cleaning off loading and any other available
Andrew Gichuho Mungai
June 7, 2017 at 5:00 amHello Mwarv,
Your pictures are fantastic as usual Your skill with a camera is amazing. On SGR there have been sightings of the long curving bridges… did you take any shots?
May I copy and paste some pics to FB page of Kenyans in USA?
mwarv
June 7, 2017 at 5:24 amYou can share the images. Additional ones will come once the go ahead is given to shoot them.
G
June 29, 2017 at 1:10 pmawesome pics!!!!! the most comprehensive i have seen so far…and the quality is great:)
Emmah
June 30, 2017 at 9:43 ambeautiful pics, the termini look awesome. hope to catch b a ride soon on the train.
Mart
July 1, 2017 at 11:03 amWhat kind of camera do you use coz your photos are just amazing. This is a project Kenyans should truly be proud of, leave alone the politics behind it. Good work
mwarv
July 1, 2017 at 11:06 amImages are shot on a Canon 6D and DJI Phantom 4 for the aerials. Yes, it’s a great project that many are beginning to take pride in.
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