Cross-border passenger train services between Tanzania and Zambia will resume on 10 February 2026, according to the Tanzania–Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA). The announcement marks the return of a key regional rail link after services were suspended in June 2024 due to technical and operational constraints.
The resumption restores rail connectivity between Dar es Salaam and New Kapiri Mposhi, supporting regional travel, trade, and tourism along the historic TAZARA corridor.
Fewer but more reliable services
As part of a broader passenger service reorganisation, TAZARA will reduce cross-border services from four to two trains per week. The move is aimed at improving reliability while optimising the use of an ageing but gradually rehabilitated fleet.
The focus will be on two core passenger services:
- Mukuba Service – the main cross-border train linking Tanzania and Zambia
- Udzungwa Service – a domestic service serving southern Tanzania
TAZARA says additional passenger coaches and locomotives are planned, which could allow for increased frequencies in the future.
Mukuba cross-border train schedule
The Mukuba service will operate as a combination of express and ordinary services, depending on passenger demand along different sections of the route:
- New Kapiri Mposhi > Dar es Salaam: Tuesdays at 14:00 CAT
- Dar es Salaam > New Kapiri Mposhi: Fridays at 15:50 EAT
Express sections will operate on high-demand stretches, while ordinary services will continue to serve intermediate stations, particularly in areas with limited road infrastructure.
Udzungwa local service
The Udzungwa service will continue to run twice weekly between Kidatu and Makambako, maintaining an important transport link for communities in Tanzania's Morogoro and Njombe regions.
What this means for travellers
The return of cross-border passenger trains offers an affordable and scenic travel option between Tanzania and Zambia, particularly appealing to overland travellers, backpackers, and those interested in historic rail journeys across southern Africa.
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