Nairobi to Suswa Using SGR Madaraka Express Train

The Nairobi to Suswa Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is a railway line connecting Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city, to Suswa, a town in Narok County. The railway line is approximately 120 kilometres long and was officially opened in October 2019. Suswa is a small town, not very far from Narok. The town isn’t very much known, but thanks to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), you can also explore it and it’s pretty cheap.

A weekend Gateaway to Suswa is always a real deal for couples, friends, single explorers and the kids too. Unlike other road trips, this one you use an SGR train boarded at Syokimau or Ngong. The SGR train passes through Nairobi National Park giving you an aerial view of the park, you can see the animals in the park and then the train passes through the famous three tunnels. The longest is 5 minutes, followed by 2 minutes and lastly 1 minute with an approximate speed of 80 km/h.

Nairobi to Suswa SGR Booking

You can now catch the Madaraka Express Passenger Service train to Ongata Rongai, Ngong, Maai Mahiu and Suswa stations. Mai Mahiu Station is not well off in terms of the supporting infrastructure. There’s only one shop, there are no taxis, the road is terrible from the station to the main road, and the boda bodas are very few. If you are planning on alighting from here, then you better make proper advance arrangements on matters of transport.

The Madaraka Express Commuter Service Operates every Monday to Friday between Nairobi Terminus and Ngong station, leaving Ngong Terminus at 6:20 am and arriving at Nairobi Terminus at 7:04 am. For the return journey, the train leaves Nairobi terminus at 6:40 pm to arrive at Ngong station at 7:22 pm.

The Long Distance Service Nairobi to Suswa SGR train operates on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between Nairobi Terminus and Suswa stations with stopovers at Ongata Rongai, Ngong and Maai Mahiu stations. The departure from Nairobi is at 08:50 am, arriving at Mai Mahiu at 10:30 am and Suswa at 11:05 am. For the return trip, the train leaves Suswa at 3:50 pm and arrives in Nairobi at 6:50 pm.

For bookings call their number 0709388888 or walk to any of the respective stations. Ensure you book early enough, maybe two days in advance to avoid disappointments. The train gets fully booked at times. (Don’t forget to carry your ID).

Charges for a one-way trip are Ksh 650 for first-class adults or Ksh 200 for economy adults and Ksh 100 for children below 11 years. From Suswa station you can connect either via taxi or use a boda to the centre then take a matatu.

Hotels Near Suswa SGR Station

Once at Suswa station, which is just a few metres away from Suswa town, head over to the Zambezi Cabin Resort or Mara Gates. Mara Gates is near Ksh 100 via Boda Boda. Zambezi Resort is quite far, and costs from Ksh 2500 to Ksh 3,000 for taxis. The taxi is a 7 seater which means you can split among 7 people (Ksh 360 each). This is to and fro, the driver will wait to bring you back in the evening.

Zambezi Cabin Resort

Zambezi Cabin Resort is a polite chill over the weekend on a budget. It’s situated along Narok Road just about 7 kilometres from Mai Mahiu Town right on the highway, you can see the gate along the all-weather driveway, it is on the right as you head towards Suswa. They have placed visible signage on the left of the highway that you cannot miss.

The food is fairly good and affordable. 1kg of nyama choma, wet fry of goat meat and beef is Ksh 1000 while pork costs Ksh 900 per kg. The service is great and the recreational facilities are good enough, the green lawns are well-tendered and manicured you will probably struggle to believe you are in the hot town of suswa. The resort has a nice swimming pool and a play area for children. Swimming pool charges are Ksh 400 for adults and Ksh 200 for children. There is also a nice dance hall which doubles as a conference hall.

Zambezi Cabin Resort Accomodation

The rooms are clean and ironically the showers are hot water. Strategically positioned outside are tents and a nice wooden cabin private lounge which work to regulate the temperature of your favourite drink as you sip or gulp the minutes away. The rooms are Ksh 3000 for a bed only or Ksh 3500 for a bed and breakfast. A couple pays Ksh 4000 for a bed and breakfast. Camping tents cost 1500 per person.