Tabora
Tanzania · Africa
About Tabora
Tabora is the capital of Tanzania's Tabora Region and is classified as a municipality by the Tanzanian government. It is also the administrative seat of Tabora Urban District. According to the 2012 census, the district had a population of 226,999.
In the early 1830s, coastal traders increasingly settled in the region to take advantage of the ivory and slave caravan trade. Swahili and Omani traders established Kazeh, near present-day Tabora, in the 1850s. By 1870, Tabora was home to a population of 5,000-10,000 people living in roughly fifty large square houses. These homes accommodated up to several hundred people each and had inner courtyards, adjacent garden plots, store rooms, servant quarters, and outbuildings for slaves.
The town was surrounded by Nyamwezi villages, whose people provided produce and caravan labor. In this period the Sultan of Zanzibar appointed a representative there. It was part of the Kingdom of Unyanyembe. Tabora was a center of trade for traders from as far North as the Buganda Kingdom. By August 1871, one-quarter of the town was burned when the forces of the Nyamwezi ruler Mirambo sacked it.
Although the German East Africa protectorate was...
Tabora travel guide
Getting there
By train As the long-distance trains are notoriously delayed and the schedule may change on short notice, it is best to get up-to-date information from the railway station of departure directly.
1 Railway station. Tabora railway station is one of the biggest on the Tanzanian network and an important junction between Dar Es Salaam, Kigoma, Mwanza and Mpanda. (updated Nov 2021) A train departs Tabora on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 21:00 getting to Mpanda the next day at 10:30. A train departs Tabora on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 21:30 getting to Mwanza the next day at 07:25. There are also trains going from Tabora to Dar Es Salaam via Dodoma and Morogoro (Wednesday and Saturday). Only the Saturday train has first class compartments. Every Wednesday and Saturday at 20:10, there is a train to Kigoma. The distance from Tabora to Mwanza is 378 kms by rail. from Tabora to Kigoma is 506 kms by rail. and from Tabora to Dodoma is 347 kms by rail. from Tabora to Mpanda is 380 kms by rail.
By bus There are also buses from Tabora going to Mpanda, Mwanza and Kigoma. There is buses from Tabora to Mbeya. A coach operated by NBS classic bus departs for Dar-es-salaam daily at 6:00 from the 2 NBS booking office. TSh40,000. (updated Nov 2021) The journey takes around 12-14 hours.
Getting around
A taxi in the centre costs no more than TSh 2000. A boda-boda (bicycle taxi) starts from 1000 inside the city (Feb 2019).
See
Livingstone Tembe Museum. 8am-5pm. (updated Jun 2015)
Buy
DTB, Plot no 48 block Q Ujiji Rd. 24 hours atm.. Has a MasterCard and Visa card ATM. no fee. (updated Jul 2023) CRDB. 24 hours atm.. has a mastercard visa card atm. (updated Jun 2023) Exim bank. 24 hours atm.. has a mastercard visa card atm. (updated Jun 2023) Amory Supermarket, market Street. 08.30-20,00. biggest supermarket in Tabora. (updated Aug 2023)
Eat
1 Nazareth Canteen, Jamhuri St (Near NMB Bank Mihayo branch). Good local food and friendly staff. Covered terrace. Monthly changing menu. Mains TSh5,000-9,000. (updated Nov 2021)
Sleep
Tabora has an abundance of guest houses, lodges and hotels in all price ranges.
John Paul II Guest house (next door to Nazereth Canteen.). Single/double rooms with own hotwater bathroom. free breakfast. free wifi TSh20,000. (updated Jun 2023) Moravian Church Hostel (behide the bus station), ☏ +255 26-260-4510. Single/double room with shared bathroom. TSh15000/20,000. (updated Jun 2022) Golden Eagle Hotel, Jamhuri Street. single/double room with own hotwater bathroom. from 30,000 tsh. (updated Aug 2023)
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.