TAZARA suspends Mukuba cross-border train services between Tanzania and Zambia

update 01 June 2026

TAZARA's Mukuba Cross-Border Train Services are set tso resume from 02 June 2026.

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Travellers planning an overland rail journey between Tanzania and Zambia will need to adjust their itineraries after the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) confirmed a temporary suspension of its Mukuba Cross-Border Train Services.

The suspension will run from 26 May to 01 June 2026, allowing TAZARA to carry out its annual mechanical maintenance programme, internal inspections, and essential servicing work on rolling stock and operational systems.

According to the railway operator, the temporary shutdown forms part of ongoing efforts to improve operational safety, reliability, and overall service efficiency across one of Southern Africa’s most iconic rail corridors.

What Travellers Need to Know

Passengers intending to travel between Tanzania and Zambia during the affected period are advised to make alternative travel arrangements or reschedule their journeys.

TAZARA says normal services are expected to resume on Tuesday, 02 June 2026, beginning with the Dar es Salaam-bound train.

The Mukuba service is particularly popular with budget-conscious travellers, backpackers, rail enthusiasts, and regional traders seeking an alternative to long-distance bus routes and expensive regional flights.

One of Africa’s most historic rail journeys

The TAZARA railway remains one of Africa’s most significant cross-border rail networks. Jointly owned by the governments of Tanzania and Zambia, the railway was constructed between 1970 and 1976 with support from the People’s Republic of China.

Stretching from the Port of Dar es Salaam to New Kapiri Mposhi, the line serves both freight and passenger traffic while connecting landlocked Zambia to the Indian Ocean.

For travellers, the journey offers a classic African rail experience through remote landscapes, rural communities, wildlife areas, and vast stretches of East and Southern Africa that are rarely seen from the air.

Why this maintenance matters

While temporary suspensions can disrupt travel plans, routine maintenance is essential for keeping long-distance rail services safe and dependable.

Rail infrastructure across Africa often faces operational challenges linked to aging rolling stock, demanding weather conditions, and heavy freight usage. Preventative maintenance programmes such as this help reduce the risk of delays, breakdowns, and service interruptions later in the year.

Travellers planning future TAZARA journeys between Tanzania and Zambia during the peak Southern African travel season are therefore encouraged to monitor schedules closely and book well in advance once services resume.

 

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TAZARA resumes Tanzania–Zambia passenger train services in February 2026!

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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TAZARA suspends passenger train services in Tanzania for urgent track repairs!

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has announced the temporary suspension of passenger train services between Dar es Salaam and Mbeya in Tanzania, including the Kilimanjaro Ordinary Train and the Udzungwa train, effective 29 November 2024. According to TAZARA, this decision follows multiple track closures caused by a series of more than ten unforseen incidents. These events have necessitated temporary closures of various sections of the railway line to faciltate urgent repairs. TAZARA is expecting to resume normal operations in Tanzania by 12 December 2024. We'll keep you posted!

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) is a bi-national railway, jointly owned by the Government of Tanzania and the Government of Zambia on an equal share-holding basis. The 1,860 km-rail runs from Tanzania and East Africa’s major seaport of Dar es Salaam into the heart of Zambia's Central Province, terminating at New Kapiri-Mposhi, where it is further linked by road and rail to Zambia's capital city, Lusaka (about 200 km), Zambia's mining nerve centre, the Copperbelt province (about 100 km) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Tanzania & Zambia: TAZARA resumes passenger train operations!

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has announced that passenger trains are set to continue to operate within the respective regions between Dar es Salaam and Mbeya in Tanzania, and between Kapiri-Mposhi and Nakonde in Zambia. Interstate cross-border passenger train services between Tanzania and Zambia remain suspended for the time being. This operational plan is subject to further review, in due course, as TAZARA works to fully resolve the existing challenges. Therefore, until further notice, the train services will be available in the respective regions of Tanzania and Zambia, as follows:

The Kilimanjaro Train

• Departing Dar es Salaam for Mbeya at 13:50 every Tuesday and at 15:50 every Friday, terminating at Mbeya Station.
• Departing Mbeya for Dar es Salaam at 18:00 every Wednesday and Saturday.

The Mukuba Train

• Departing Kapiri-Mposhi for Nakonde at 14:00 every Tuesday and at 16:00 every Friday, terminating at Nakonde Station.
• Departing Nakonde for Kapiri-Mposhi at 18:00 every Wednesday and Saturday.

(c) TAZARA

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) is a bi-national railway, jointly owned by the Government of Tanzania and the Government of Zambia on an equal share-holding basis. The 1,860 km-rail runs from Tanzania and East Africa’s major seaport of Dar es Salaam into the heart of Zambia's Central Province, terminating at New Kapiri-Mposhi, where it is further linked by road and rail to Zambia's capital city, Lusaka (about 200 km), Zambia's mining nerve centre, the Copperbelt province (about 100 km) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

Tanzania & Zambia: TAZARA announces suspension of passenger train operations until further notice!

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has announced the suspension of passenger train operations between Tanzania and Zambia with effect from 18 June 2024, until further notice. This suspension has been necessitated by various operational challenges that the authority is facing. In the meantime, between now and when the suspension takes effect next week, the trains will operate regionally as follows:

The Kilimanjaro Train

• Depart Dar es Salaam for Mbeya at 00:05 on 15 June 2024, and terminate at Mbeya.
• Depart Mbeya for Dar es Salaam at 05:00 on 16 June 2024.

The Mukuba Train

• Depart Kapiri-Mposhi for Nakonde at 00:05 15 June 2024, and terminate at Nakonde.
• Depart Nakonde for Kapiri-Mposhi at 10:00 on 16 June 2024

(c) TAZARA

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) is a bi-national railway, jointly owned by the Government of Tanzania and the Government of Zambia on an equal share-holding basis. The 1,860 km-rail runs from Tanzania and East Africa’s major seaport of Dar es Salaam into the heart of Zambia's Central Province, terminating at New Kapiri-Mposhi, where it is further linked by road and rail to Zambia's capital city, Lusaka (about 200 km), Zambia's mining nerve centre, the Copperbelt province (about 100 km) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

TAZARA: Resumption of normal train operations!

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has announced that the reopening of the mainline, which was temporarily closed on 01 April 2024 due to landslides and formation failures caused by heavy rains in the Mlimba–Makambako area of Tanzania. As a result, normal train operations will resume immediately, with passenger trains planned to run as follows:

• Kilimanjaro Ordinary Passenger Train: The inaugural journey will depart from Mbeya to Dar es Salaam on 25 May at 18:00.
• Udzungwa Shuttle Passenger Train: The first journey will depart from Makambako to Kidatu on 25 May 2024 at 19:00
• Dar es Salaam Commuter Passenger Train: The normal route operations from Dar es Salaam to Mwakanga shall resume on 27 May 2024.
• Kilimanjaro Ordinary Passenger Train (cross-border): The journey will commence from Dar es Salaam to New Kapiri-Mposhi on 28 May 2024 at 13:50
• Mukuba Express Passenger Train (cross-border): The first cross-border journey will depart from New Kapiri-Mposhi to Dar es Salaam on 28 May 2024 at 16:00
• All trains will adhere to their regular schedules thereafter

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) is a bi-national railway, jointly owned by the Government of Tanzania and the Government of Zambia on an equal share-holding basis. The 1,860 km-rail runs from Tanzania and East Africa’s major seaport of Dar es Salaam into the heart of Zambia's Central Province, terminating at New Kapiri-Mposhi, where it is further linked by road and rail to Zambia's capital city, Lusaka (about 200 km), Zambia's mining nerve centre, the Copperbelt province (about 100 km) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

South Africa: Shosholza Meyl has rationalised its train service operations!

Shosholza Meyl, a division of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) that operates long-distance passenger rail services in South Africa, just announced that due to the current train service status quo, train service operations have been rationalised in order to enhance service delivery. Effective 01 April 2019, Shosholoza Meyl has suspended passenger train service operations between:

• Johannesburg > Cape Town on Tuesdays (departure date),
• Cape Town > Johannesburg on Thursdays (departure date),
• Johannesburg > Musina on Wednesdays (departure date),
• Musina > Johannesburg on Thursdays (departure date),
• Cape Town > Queenstown on Thursdays (departure date),
• Queenstown > Cape Town on Tuesdays (departure date).

According to Shosholoza Meyl's official announcement, affected customers who have already paid to travel between Cape Town <> Queenstown will get fully refunded. Customers how have paid for train rides between Johannesburg <> Cape Town and Johannesburg <> Musina on the affected departure days are urged to change the travelling date. Alternatively, refunds will be issued by Shosholoza Meyl.

Botswana: Botswana Railways (BR) set to reintroduce a passenger rail service!

update (22 Feb 2016): According to Botswana's transport and communications minister, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo, the new daily passenger train service will operational by the end of March 2016. Regarding the refurbishment of train stations, Mr Mabeo said they were focusing on six stations being Gaborone, Francistown, Palapye, Lobatse, Serule and Mahalapye.

The President of Botswana, Ian Khama, confirmed during a State of the Nation address on 09 November 2015 that Botswana Railways (BR) will reintroduce a passenger rail service in the country. The service will run between Lobatse, located 70 km south of the capital Gaborone in South-Eastern Botswana, and Francistown, located about 400 km north-northeast from Gaborone in eastern Botswana. The plan is to operate a daily scheduled night services from each end, with additional services during holidays. The passenger rail service in Botswana is expected to commence in March 2016.

Botswana: Botswana Railways (BR) set to launch tourist train

update (10 December 2014): According to mmegi.bw, Botswana Railways (BR) passenger trains are expected back on the track in Botswana at the end of 2015.

According to Yarona FM, a private radio station in Botswana, Botswana Railways (BR) has announced plans to introduce a tourist train similar to South Africa's Shosholoza Meyl to offer both local and international tourists an opportunity to explore Botswana and the neighboring countries. A possible route for the new tourist train will be from Francistown in Botswana to Bulawayo and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) before reaching Livingstone (Zambia) and back into Botswana. Sounds like an ambitious plan. We'll keep you posted!

Post by Yarona FM News-The Real Story.

Shosholoza Meyl: Online reservation available again!

Great news for all who want to travel by train in South Africa. The long-distance passenger rail service in South Africa, Shosholoza Meyl, now offers an option (again) to make reservations online. To make an online reservation travellers must fill in an online form on Shosholoza Meyl's website, which is then emailed to a sales consultant of the rail service who processes the request and sends the reservation reference number to the traveller via email. Payment for the tickets must be made by EFT (electronic fund transfer) four days prior to departure or in cash at any railway station. Bookings can alternativley still be made by phone (Central Reservations & Enquiries: 086 000 8888). As of 01 July 2014, fares on Shosholoza Meyl (and Premier Classe) long-distrance trains increased on 01 July 2014.

Shosholoza Meyl operates the following services:

• Johannesburg - Cape Town - Johannesburg (T&E)
• Johannesburg - Cape Town - Johannesburg (E)
• Johannesburg - Durban - Johannesburg (T&E)
• Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth - Johannesburg (T&E)
• Johannesburg - East London - Johannesburg (T&E)
• Johannesburg - Komatipoort - Johannesburg (T&E)
• Johannesburg - Musina - Johannesburg (T&E)
• Johannesburg - Bloemfontein - Johannesburg (E)
• Cape Town - East London - Cape Town (T&E)
• Cape Town - Queenstown - Cape Town (T&E)

Shosholoza Meyl operates two classes on board most of its trains: 

• Tourist Class (consists of sleeper accommodation; T)
  Passengers have a choice between a coupe that can accommodate two people and a compartment that can take-up to four people. During the day the compartment/ coupe are suites and at night they are converted into bedrooms, with both having hot and cold water. In addition both have a basin beneath a fold-up table.
• Economy Class (consists of sitting accommodation; E)
  The comfortable seats all have head and back rests, and offer lots of legroom and overhead luggage facility.

TAZARA: Train operations in Tanzania to resume after strike action!

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has informed the public that, following the decision of the Labour Division of the High Court of Tanzania on 26 May 2014 to declare the strike by the Tanzanian employees of TAZARA as illegal, passenger cross-border operations between Zambia and Tanzania resume today (30 May 2014). Freight operations between the two countries have already commenced.
The unionised workers of TAZARA in Tanzania withdrew their labour on 12 May 2014, demanding unpaid salaries for February (in some cases) and for March and April 2014. As a consequence, the railway suspended both freight and passenger operations between Dar es Salaam and Tunduma.

TAZARA: All train operations in Tanzania are currently suspended due to strike action

update (30 May 2014): TAZARA: Train operations in Tanzania to resume after strike action!

We just got information from the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) that, due to a strike of its unionised workers in Tanzania, the railway has announced the suspension of both freight and passenger operations between Dar es Salaam and Tunduma until further notice. However, normal operations continue between Nakonde and New Kapiri Mposhi on the Zambian side. TAZARA's unionised workers in Tanzania - inclunging some workers at the Kasama station in Zambia - are on strike because of unpaid salaries for February, in some cases, and for March and April 2014, in all cases. In a press release the management of TAZARA ensured that all efforts are being made to resolve the situation and ensure that normal operations resume as quickly as possible.


View TAZARA strike May 2014 in a larger map

Tanzania/Zambia: TAZARA shut after accident!

update (25 Nove 2013): We just received an email from Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA). All operations went back to normal on 24 Nov 2013.

update (25 Nov 2013): According to the online edition of the Ugandan newspaper "New Vision", the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) reopened on Sunday (24 Nov 2013) after a 7-day-long closure.

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), which links the Tanzanian port of Dar Es Salaam with the town of New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia's Central Province, has suspended the transportation of passengers and freight between the two countries. The railway is expected to remain closed for at least seven days (since 18 Nov 2013) after a truck destroyed a section of the Chimbuya railway bridge, some 650km from Dar Es Salaam. We'll keep you posted!

Tanzania/Zambia: TAZARA to increase fares from 01 July 2013

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) is set to increase passenger fares for both express and ordinary trains by an average of 23% with effect from 01 July 2013. According to TAZARA's head of public relations, Conrad Simuchile, passengers fares had to be adjusted upwards because of the rising cost of fuel. The last time fares were increased was in 2011.

New Kapiri Mposhi (Zambia) > Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) new fares for express train tickets:

• First Class: KR333.60 (was KR261.00) [currency converter]
• Second Class: KR272.20 (was KR247.50)
• Third Class: KR233,20 (was KR196.00)

New Kapiri Mposhi (Zambia) > Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) new fares for ordinary train tickets:

• First Class: KR278.00 (was KR205.00) [currency converter]
• Second Class: KR226.00 (was KR189.00)
• Third Class: KR194.00 (was KR169)

Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) > New Kapiri Mposhi (Zambia) new fares for express train tickets:

• First Class: TSh104,000.00 (was TSh79,900.00) [currency converter]
• Second Class: TSh84,600.00 (was TSh66,000.00)
• Thrid Class: TS72,000.00 (was TSh58,900.00)

Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) > New Kapiri Mposhi (Zambia) new fares for ordinary train tickets:

• First Class: TSh86,500.00 (was TSh70,400.00) [currency converter]
• Second Class: TSh70,600.00 (was TSh55,000.00)
• Third Class: TSh60,500.00 (was TSh48,600.00)

TAZARA's express passenger trains currently depart simultaneously from Dar Es Salaam and New Kapiri Mposhi every Tuesday, while TAZARA's ordinary passenger trains also depart simultaneously every Friday from Dar Es Salaam and New Kapiri Mposhi.

• TAZARA's trains have First Class coaches with 4 berths per compartment, Second Class coaches with 6 berths per compartment, a semi-luxurious super sitter coach and third class coaches.
• TAZARA's express passenger trains only stop at major stations along the way between Dar Es Salaam and New Kapiri Mposhi and it takes approximately 46 hours to travel between the two destinations. Express trains, according to TAZARA, are recommended for international passengers as they have facilities for comfort
• TAZARA's ordinary passenger trains do not cross the borders, but stop at every serviceable railway station. The classes of coaches are similar to the express train except that these only have one dining car.
• Tickets for the TAZARA trains are sold at most of TAZARA stations and also at TAZARA's Lusaka area office in Dedan Kimathi Street. At the office staff will advise you on how to get to New Kapiri Mposhi from Lusaka.
• At New Kapiri Mposhi one can catch a public bus and taxis to Lusaka (ca. 200km) or any other place you may be travelling to.

South Africa: Sosholoza Meyl train service almost back to normal

What happend in August 2010? Due to a financial dispute and a dispute over certain maintenance certifications for the trains between the newly-established Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), which is now running South Africa's Shosholoza Meyl long-distance train service and Premier Classe, and Transnet, which used to operate the trains, all Shosholoza Meyl tourist & economy trains and all Premier Classe trains were cancelled untill further notice. Some trains were reinstated in September/October 2010, and a full but revised train service was reinstated from 1 December 2010 onwards.

Current situation in April 2011: A new permanent timetable for the Shosholoza-Meyl service was implemented from 01 Dec 2010 (also valid for 2011), but there have already been certain temporary changes. If you are looking for the current timetable, visit www.shosholoza-meyl.co.za. There you can find regulary updated timetables and additional info, including fares, booking etc., regarding the train service. The official website of the Shosholoza-Meyl service (old > Spoornet/Transnet) seems currently no to be kept updated very well or might even be offline.
The Premier Classe services Cape Town <> Johannesburg and Durban <> Johannesburg are running, all other services, such as Cape Town <> Port Elizabeth, Cape Town <> George, Port Elizabeth <> George and Johannesburg <> Hoedspruit, are currently discontinued. Up-to-date info on the service can be found on www.shosholoza-meyl.co.za.