TAZARA Railway
Zambia · Africa
About TAZARA Railway
The TAZARA Railway is Africa's most epic train journey. Yes, there are destinations – namely Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania – or somewhere in between. You'll get there eventually. But getting there isn't really the point. You ride the TAZARA for the sake of the riding the TAZARA. And in doing so you'll cross some of the most exotic and hard-to-reach areas of the world.
TAZARA Railway travel guide
Understand
There had been interest in constructing a railroad into the heart of southern Africa since the late 19th century, mainly by the British. Little was done, however, until Tanzania became independent under Julius Nyerere in 1961 and Zambia emerged under Kenneth Kaunda in 1964. A railroad, it was thought, would help develop the agricultural areas of southwestern Tanzania and northeastern Zambia. China, then seeking some small form of hegemony in the region, got involved and provided funding and personnel. Construction of the railroad began in 1970. The work involved moving 330,000 tons of rail and 89 million cubic meters of earth and rock, and the construction of 93 stations, 320 bridges, 22 tunnels and 2,225 culverts. Virtually all building materials, equipment and significant amounts of food and medical supplies were shipped from China. The first passenger train arrived in Dar es Salaam on 24 October 1975. The wagons are old – they're a lot of fun. Plush in some respects... the beds are spongey... roll down your window, stick your head out, do what you want to do. This is part of the charm of the TAZARA. The conductor is just as likely to ask you for a cigarette as he is to check your ticket. But, beware, it might not be like this for long. China has its eyes on the region once again, and as of 2023 there are negotiations in progress about upgrading the line. Think air-conditioned cars and express service for wherever you might want to go – much like the death of the "lunatic express" in Kenya. Great for the locals; not so fun for the traveller. So, get it while you can. The TAZARA remains, for now, the quintessential long-distance African train journey.
Getting there
There's an easy way and a hard way to do the TAZARA. The easy way: buy a cabin – seriously, the whole cabin. You can then 1) sell your beds to travellers you trust and 2) protect your cabin. And then there's the hard way: you book an individual seat or bed. Don't bring your grandmother's heirlooms if you opt for the latter. It's not that big of a deal but theft really is rampant if you have non-African skin or speak with a non-African accent... you'll be a target.
Go next
Zanzibar if you arrive in Dar es Salaam Lusaka and Livingstone if you make it to Zambia
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.