Crossing African borders by train? A 70-hour journey on the TAZARA Railway

Tanzania, a treasure trove of wildlife. Known for safari tours to see wildlife thriving in nature, such as in Serengeti National Park, there is an experience that offers equally majestic African scenery. That is the TAZARA Railway, featured on 'World's Train Windows,' an international train crossing borders by rail.

A 70-hour, 3-night, 4-day train journey

The TAZARA Railway journey connecting Tanzania's capital Dar es Salaam and neighboring Zambia's Kapiri Mposhi spans a total length of 1860 km.
Amazingly, this railway journey is longer than Japan's Honshu and serves not only as a means of transportation for locals but also captivates travelers from around the world!
It's an experience that allows you to encounter the lives of African people living vibrantly in the endless savannah.

Enjoy the African breeze and great nature

I bought my ticket the day before at Dar es Salaam Station, where the journey begins, and as I safely reached the departure day, I was filled with excitement for the upcoming 70-hour (3-night, 4-day) journey.
We departed with a loud noise almost on schedule, without any delays. As we left the bustling capital of Dar es Salaam, the African breeze and great nature awaited me!

A comfortable train journey

I thought hearing about African railways might evoke concerns, but it was not a challenging journey at all.
Purchase your ticket through a travel agency, and all that's left is to board!
There are several types of seats available, and the first-class private rooms have charging spots and bed-type seats, so there's no inconvenience at all.
Regarding meals, there is a dining car on board, and vendors come to the stations along the way, so you can buy snacks and light meals from the window.

There were even cars with showers!
As we approached the border, the conductor went around each private room to handle the exit/entry procedures.

An experience that fully stimulated the senses

Japanese railways surrounded by mountains and close to the sea are wonderful, but the TAZARA Railway journey offers uninterrupted, truly breathtaking views.
The endlessly expansive blue sky and trees can be gazed at forever, and I felt a sense of nostalgia in the scents of the earth, greenery, and people.
In the dining car where you can eat East Africa's staple food 'Ugali,' interactions with fellow travelers or Africans riding with various thoughts, even just sitting there, offered various experiences.


There wasn't a single moment when I felt bored, and I wished it could go on forever.