Buying Tickets for the Tazara Railway
When I started planning my Tazara trip, the biggest hurdle was getting the train ticket. I didn’t know how to do it, yet I knew that I absolutely had to get a train ticket because I booked my airfare flying into Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania and out of Livingstone, Zambia. I looked into airfare between the two cities just in case, but that proved to be too expensive for a foreigner (Tanzanian citizens pay less for the same plane ticket). My anxiety grew while I had a constant voice in the back of my head saying, “If you don’t get that ticket, you won’t get to Zambia and you won’t get home.”
I tried to call the numbers provided on the Tazara website using Skype. None of the numbers worked. They would all ring for a few seconds then drop or not connect at all.
I felt so lucky when I found this website https://midlife-leap.com/experiences/how-to-buy-tickets-for-tazara-railway-to-kapiri-mposhi-from-dar-es-salaam?from=experience-view detailing how this couple found tickets. The writer referred to it as “telephone roulette.” I couldn’t agree more. I called many of the numbers provided in this link, but for me, none of them worked.
I thought I hit the lottery when finally, I got a live voice at the end of the line when I called +255-756-225-290. I spoke with Iwasha who was friendly enough and he provided me with this number to call: +255-0713-41+31-41. When I checked my phone record, the zero dropped off so I’m thinking it’s for local calls. Nonetheless, I dialed that number in vain. No one answered. So much for all my hopes of getting a ticket.
I decided to go out on a limb and contact the manager at the hotel where I was booked to stay. The manager was very helpful and agreed to have someone go purchase my ticket for me after I wired the money to the hotel. Great! I had a hook-up. I went to my bank, wired $190 to cover the cost of the tickets and paid a $50 wire fee. Then the waiting game began. I sent the money June 4th and it should have been at the hotel’s bank no later than June 12th. I kept in contact with the hotel almost daily asking if the money arrived. Daily, I received the disappointing news that the money had not yet arrived. Finally, after nearly three weeks, I pulled the plug on the money wire and told my bank to return the funds to my account. It was clear that the money was not going to get there and I was not happy having $240 tied up for nothing.
What to do now? Stop at the train station on my way to the hotel upon arrival just four days before my intended departure hoping that there were still first class tickets available? That seemed to be my only choice. I reassured myself with the idea that if first class was sold out, I could buy out a second class cabin; surely I should be able to get one of those.
Then it hit me…..Google travel agencies near my hotel. Voila! There it was, Safaris56, located just blocks from my hotel. Looking at the website, it was clear they mostly sold safaris, yet I was desperate and I had nothing to lose. I picked up the phone and dialed +255-683-833-513. After a few rings, a friendly voice came on the line. I asked if he booked Tazara tickets and he told me he didn’t normally do it, but he could do it. Oh yes!!! Akida arranged to communicate with me over What’s App. I agreed to pay him $265-almost the same as the money transfer- to book my tickets and pick them up for me. The payment was easily made online via a secure link with my credit card. I am happy to report that it is now taken care of. I am so grateful for Akida and Safaris56. As a result of my conversation with Akida, he is now offering this service permanently.
I also received a good travel tip form Akida. When traveling to his country only bring monetary notes of $50 and $100. Anything smaller will not be accepted. A few more things to note, all bills must be series 2013 or newer and be free of tears or any markings.
I am now relaxed and looking forward to my next trip and my adventure on the Tazara Railway.
~Bella
