Breakthrough for the Lake Region travelers as Kenya Railways resumes the Safari Train Service from Nairobi to Kisumu, spanning more than 200 km. The first journey will kick off on Friday, December 6th, 2024.
“We are pleased to announce that our Kisumu Safari train service has resumed. Please review the detailed information below for adequate preparation. Thank you for choosing our service!” Kenya Railways announced on X.
Passengers are expected to board three trains simultaneously from the Nairobi Central Station to Kisumu Station. Passengers will also have the option to choose between the available classes, Economy, costing Ksh. 900, and the first class, which costs almost threefold the economy class at Ksh. 2,400.
The Safari Train Service will facilitate toddlers of age between 0-3 years for free, with 3-11 years paying half the price. Those of 12 years and above will have to cater for the full price.
Kenya Railways have also advised passengers not to carry luggage not exceeding 160 cm in width and 200 cm in length. Every traveler is allowed to carry luggage not exceeding 30 kg, Kenya Railways clarified. Travellers have also been advised to arrive at the station at least 1 hour before the departure.
Kisumu Safari Train Service Schedule and Routemap
Beginning December 6th, 2024, a more than 14-hour journey will see the train departing the Nairobi Central Station every Friday at 4:00 PM and arriving at the Kisumu station on Saturday at 6:30 AM.
The route to Kisumu from Nairobi (to and fro) will make at least three major stopovers, where the travellers are expected to board three different trains consecutively. The first commander train leaving the Nairobi Central Station will make the first stopover at the Nairobi Terminus, awaiting a second departure at 5:20 PM by another train.
Passenger will then depart the Nairobi Terminus aboard the Madarak Express train to Maai Mahiu station at 5:20 PM. After a 35-minute rest, passengers will then board an MGR train, departing at 6:55 PM for Kisumu Station, where they are expected to arrive at exactly 6:30 AM
The Kisumu Station to Nairobi Central Station will depart every Sunday from 4:00 PM, touching down in Nairobi on Monday at 6:30 AM.
The Kisumu Safari Train Service, connecting Rift Valley and Western Kenya, underwent revamping and later relaunched on December 17th, 2021, following more than a decade-long stall.
