South Tanzania Safari

TAZARA Rail Away

Schedule: The TAZARA Railway has two types of passenger services: express and ordinary.

Express train: Operates two days a week – Tuesday and Friday. It normally departs Dar-Es-Salaam at 15:50 p.m. and 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.

The ordinary train: Once a week; Monday,  Departs at 10.00 am from Dar-Es-Salaam arrives in Mbeya the following day. This train is slow; it stops at all trains stations. However, it provides a full picture of the physical geography and vegetation of South-Central to the Southwest of Tanzania.

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 27 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 [see the map] 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. (See Map of Selous Game Reserve)
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.
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