The TAZARA in Mbeya District Tanzania
Im writing this, five ndovus down. We left dar at 4pm an-hour-late which was rather unfortunate because it meant getting to selous game reserve past 7pm, therefore no viewing of game.I booked first class on cabin C2 room C6. The compartment had 4 sleepers and was in the same compartment with tito, david and kianga....we arrived in Kisaki at quarter to 9pm where David(a tanzanian mzungu) alighted. We arrived in Ifakara at 20mins to midnight where tito alighted and was left with kianga who hadnt been in the compartment for the better part of the journey. The food in the train's restaurant was of fair quality and a plate goes for tshs. 3500. Beer goes for tshs.2000. The train itself is not in a very good condition but the crowd/passengers in the train bar compensated for this handicap. I cannot remember at which station tito alighted but i recall it was at 3am.
Yesterday i met two German ladies at a night club in Kilifi.Through a mutual friend i learnt that they were traveling to Malawi from Mombasa via Nairobi, Arusha and Dar es Salaam. I offered un-solicited advice on how to tackle the route. Apparently, the girls have "been there". They informed me that they once took the Makuba Express from Dar to Mbeya travelling third class. I will be lying if i told you that they had positive remarks about the journey. I learnt (from them) that when you travel third class you have no access to toilets on the train and mind you the trip fro Dar to Mbeya takes 28 hrs. Ladies be warned!!
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