Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA)

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The TAZARA Railway , also called the Uhuru Railway or the Tanzam Railway, is a railroad in East Africa linking the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania with the town of  Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia's Central Province . The TAZARA runs three types of passenger trains, i.e. Express, Ordinary and Special Trains.

The single-track railway is 1,860 km (1,160 mi) long and was built by the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) from 1970 to 1975 as a turnkey project financed and supported by China. At the time of its completion, two years ahead of schedule, the TAZARA was the single longest railway in sub Saharan Africa. At the cost of US $ 500 million to build, the TAZARA was the largest
single foreign-aid project undertaken by China.

From sea level, the railway climbs to 550 metres (1,800 feet) at Mlimba , and then reaches its highest point of 1,789.43 metres (5,870.8 feet) at Uyole in Mbeya before descending to 1,660 metres (5,450 feet) at Mwenzo, the highest point in Zambia, and settling to 1,274.63 metres (4,181.9 feet) at Kapiri Mposhi

Express train: Operates two days a week – Tuesday and Friday. It normally departs Dar-Es-Salaam at 15:50 p.m. on Tuesday and 13:50 on Friday; EXPECTED TIME OF ARRIVAL in Mbeya the next day at 12:41. Express train stops only on major train station. From Dar-Es-Salaam – Kisaki - Mang’ula – Ifakara – Mlimba – Makambako – Mbeya – Tunduma.

It is important that you plan your journey with TAZARA long before your travel date. Give it at least a month of advance planning. Book your seat or sleeping berth at least two weeks in advance

General: The Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority, shortly known as TAZARA, operates 1,860 kilometers of truck from Dar-Es-Salaam Tanzania to New Kapiri Mposhi Zambia. Since its construction 40 years ago, TAZARA has been vital to the life of villagers living along the railway track and for the economy of the country.

Safari: TAZARA journey starts from the coastal plain through, Kazimzumbwi forest, one the oldest forest in the world, and the savannah wooded plain, where the major southern national parks of Mikumi, Udzungwa and Selous Game Reserve are located. From there, TAZARA crosses the Great Ruaha River, towards Kilombero Flood Plains. The train passes through tunnels under Udzungwa Mountain ranges and, adjoining Kipengere Ranges to Makambako Plateau.

From Makambako the train runs on the foot of Kipengere Ranges and at the edge of Rift Valley to Mbeya. From Mbeya the train passes though smaller train stations of Mbalizi, Songwe, ( here you should be able to see Uporoto Ranges) Shikula, Mlowo, Vwawa before it arrives at Tunduma.

At Mbeya: Mbeya is the second major TAZARA station in Tanzania. The region has amazing landscapes that could attract anyone whose hobbies are trekking and forest walking, which are characterized by Mbeya Ranges Mountain, surrounding evergreen forests, and water streams and valleys. The way to Tunduma is dominated by undulating terrains, especially from Mbalizi, Songwe to Mlowo. 

If you plan this Safari, you will spend few hours in Tunduma and coming back with the same train to Mbeya where all accommodation arrangements are made.

Kyela: Safari to Lake Nyasa can be arrange for the next day, only if you want to explore the natural feelings of the country and experience the topographical safari in the evergreen south-western highlands.


Source: utalii.com and tazara website

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