Moshi to Lusaka — A Long Road South

by Ruben Storm

February 8 → February 14
Distance: about 2500 km
Route: Moshi → Iringa → Mbeya → Tunduma/Nakonde → Lusaka

This trip was not about comfort.
It was about moving forward, step by step, even when everything felt difficult.

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Leaving Moshi — Heat and a Crowded Bus

I left Moshi at 16:00 on a Kimotco bus.
Ticket: 50,000 TZS (≈ 17.86 €)

The bus was hot and crowded. The air smelled of sweat and diesel. I kept the window open for some air, but the road was rough and dusty.

At one stop more passengers came in. A child was placed in the seat next to my seat, and my backpack moved to my lap. From that moment, space was tight. The bus shook constantly on the uneven road.

At 3 in the morning we had immigration control. There was confusion about my visa dates, but after I explained the 90 days correctly, they let me continue.

The bus drove through the night.

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Iringa — Rain, Mud, and Rest

We arrived at 5 early in the morning. The bus station toilets were dirty and flooded. Someone poured liquid over my hands — I thought it was water, but it was soap. Later he brought rainwater from a barrel so I could rinse properly.

My hostel looked closed from outside but inside it was clean and quiet. After the long ride, having a bed felt like a luxury.

I walked around Iringa later. Rain had turned the streets into mud. My shoes became completely wet and never really dried.

Accommodation Iringa:

• Night 1: 7.38 €
• Night 2: 7.33 €

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Iringa to Mbeya — A Difficult Ride

The bus to Mbeya cost 20,000 TZS (≈ 7.14 €).

The ride was rough. The bus shook constantly and the seats were tight. My body was worn down.

We passed several checkpoints where officials checked passports and visas. Each stop slowed the journey and added tension.

Mbeya was gray and rainy. I found a simple hotel near the bus station and stayed there to recover.

Accommodation Mbeya:

• 2 nights: 40,000 TZS (≈ 14.29 €)

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Toward the Border — Walking Through Pressure

From Mbeya I traveled toward the Zambian border.

• Bus: 5,000 TZS (≈ 1.79 €)
• Tuk-tuk to roundabout: 1,500 TZS (≈ 0.54 €)

From the roundabout I walked through shops and busy streets toward the border and the bus station area. Many people tried to sell tickets or services. Some followed me and grabbed my arm. It was crowded, loud, and stressful, but I kept walking.

At the border I waited in line, filled out forms, and answered questions. Tanzania stamped me out. Zambia stamped me in with a 30-day stay.

After crossing, the pressure from sellers continued all the way to the bus station.

Bus Nakonde → Lusaka:

• 500 ZMW (≈ 17.24 €)
  Busline: Power Tools

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Waiting All Night in Nakonde

Buses are not allowed to drive at night in Zambia, so I had to wait.

The station was cold and crowded. People slept on benches and on the floor. I found a sofa near a charging socket and stayed there all night.

I rested only a little. I stayed alert because I did not want to lose my bag or my phone battery.

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Nakonde to Lusaka — Long Day on the Road

The bus departed while it was still dark. Sunrise came hours later.

During the ride we stopped briefly in Mpika.
Toilet fee: 2 ZMW (≈ 0.07 €)

At one point the bus smelled like burning rubber and workers checked a tire directly under my seat. The journey continued with several checkpoints along the road.

The trip was long and tiring, but slowly we moved closer to Lusaka.

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Arrival in Lusaka — Food and Rest

When we reached Lusaka I shared a taxi to my hostel.
Taxi: 100 ZMW (≈ 3.45 €)

I arrived hungry and tired. At a nearby mall only a pizza place was open.
Dinner: 120 ZMW (≈ 4.14 €)

Accommodation Lusaka:

• 2 nights: 14.00 €
• Booking fee: 2.61 €

After days of travel, a bed and a quiet room felt like real relief.

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Costs Summary

Tanzania

• Moshi → Iringa bus: 50,000 TZS (≈ 17.86 €)
• Iringa → Mbeya bus: 20,000 TZS (≈ 7.14 €)
• Mbeya accommodation (2 nights): 40,000 TZS (≈ 14.29 €)
• Mbeya → Tunduma bus: 5,000 TZS (≈ 1.79 €)
• Tuk-tuk to border: 1,500 TZS (≈ 0.54 €)
• Iringa accommodation (2 nights): 14.71 €

Tanzania total: ≈ 56.32 €

Zambia

• Nakonde → Lusaka bus: 500 ZMW (≈ 17.24 €)
• Taxi Lusaka: 100 ZMW (≈ 3.45 €)
• Dinner: 120 ZMW (≈ 4.14 €)
• Toilet: 2 ZMW (≈ 0.07 €)
• Lusaka accommodation (2 nights): 14.00 €
• Booking fee: 2.61 €

Zambia total: ≈ 41.51 €

Overall total: ≈ 97.83 €

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What This Journey Felt Like

This trip was about endurance.

Wet shoes.
Long waits.
Crowded buses.
Border lines.
Noise, pressure, and little sleep.

But step by step, the road continued forward.
Reaching Lusaka was not a celebration — it was a moment to breathe, rest, and prepare for whatever comes next.

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