Train travel in Zambia is possible but passenger trains do not run daily. The main railway line through the country is the line from Livingstone to Kitwe in the north of the country. The line is operated by Zambia Railways and is used for passenger and freight transport. Railway lines in Zambia are divided between Zambia Railways, owned by Government and the TAZARA line, connecting Zambia and Tanzania, and jointly owned by the governments of both countries. The Government intends to expand its railway network in the country in cooperation with China, but the new railway lines will be used for freight transportation.
A small railway museum was established in Livingstone.
Zambia has international links with Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Malawi. Passenger trains run only to Tanzania, other railway links are used to freigh transport. There are plans to build a direct link between Zambia and Botswana.
The section between Chipata and Mchinji, opened in 2010, is isolated from the rest of the railway network and operated by Zambia Railways.
Last updated: 23.03.2024
Train travel in Zambia – Zambia Railways
Zambia Railways Limited operates passenger trains on the following routes:
Zambezi train – ordinary passenger train between Livingstone and Kitwe. According to the Zambian Railways website, it is composed of new Chinese-made wagons. The carriages are air-conditioned, in addition to carriages with seats, there are also sleeping carriages (probably with couchettes and a dining car).
Kafue train – ordinary passenger train between Livingstone and Kitwe. It runs once or twice a week.
Mulobezi train – a twice-weekly passenger train between Livingstone and Mulobezi. If you believe the timetable and distances between stations published on fahrplancenter.net, this is one of the slowest trains in the world. Train covered the the distance of 163 km in 12 hours. There are wagons for transporting animals on the train.
The Golden Jubilee – express train only available as a charter train for larger groups. Train is comprised of new Chinese-made wagons. Travel agencies can order a ride on any route.
Zambezi Train and Kafue Train run through Kapiri MPoshi (New) where they are connected to TAZARA trains from Dar Es Salaam (train stations are separated by distance of around 2 km).
In addition, Zambian Railways runs commuter trains in Lusaka on two lines:
Lusaka – Ngwerere
Lusaka – Lilayi
Zambia Railways – official website
Trains in Zambia – TAZARA
TAZARA (Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority) primarily operates freight trains, but the carrier also launches trains between Tanzania and Zambia.
Most famous and most popular is an express train from Dar Es Salaam to the Zambian Kapiri Mposhi station. A Mukuba Express train run once a week from Kapiri Mposhi to the capital of Tanzania, and from Dar Es Salaam to Zambia. The journey between cities takes 46 hours. The distance between the cities is 1,852 kilometers. A train leaving on Friday arrives at its destination only on Sunday.
The Mukuba Express train is comprised of new Chinese passenger carriages. The available classes are a couchette car with 6-person compartments, a couchette car with 4-person compartments, a 2nd class couchette car, a 3rd class couchette car, a baggage car and a dining car.
There is also a ordinary train service between Dar Es Salaam and Kapiri Mposhi. It leaves every Tuesday from Dar Es Salaam and every Friday from Kapiri Mposhi. The journey takes approximately 60 hours as the train stops at every railway station in Tanzania and Zambia. The train is composed of carriages of the same classes as the Mukuba Express, but these are old type wagons.
TAZARA runs also commuter trains in Dar Es Salaam and charter trains for tourists.
TAZARA – official website
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