Overland from Moshi to Lusaka — 2500 Kilometers South
This journey was not about comfort.
It was about continuing forward, even when the road was rough, the weather unfriendly, and energy low.
From Moshi in northern Tanzania to Lusaka in Zambia, the trip covered about 2500 kilometers by land — buses, waiting halls, border crossing, and long hours of movement.
Departure from Moshi
I left Moshi in the late afternoon heat. The bus was large but already crowded. The air inside was warm and heavy, and the road vibrations started almost immediately after departure.
At first I had space. Soon more passengers entered, and my backpack ended up on my lap. From that moment, movement meant adjustment — shifting shoulders, protecting space, balancing the bag.
The road stretched into darkness. Stops came and went. At night immigration checks slowed the journey, but after explanations the bus continued south.
The ride was loud, uneven, and constant.
Arrival in Iringa — Rain and Recovery
We reached Iringa early in the morning. The bus station toilets were flooded and difficult to use. Someone poured liquid over my hands — I thought it was water, but it was soap. Eventually rainwater from a barrel helped rinse it off.
The hostel looked abandoned from outside but inside it was clean and calm. After the long ride, simply lying down felt like a reward.
Rain followed me through Iringa. Streets turned muddy, shoes became soaked, and nothing dried properly. I stayed two nights to recover and regain energy.
South to Mbeya
The next bus continued through hills and long stretches of road. The ride to Mbeya was rough and slow. Seats were tight, the bus shook constantly, and hours passed without comfort.
By arrival my body was worn down. Mbeya was cloudy and quiet. I stayed in a simple hotel near the station to rest and prepare for the border crossing ahead.
Toward the Border
From Mbeya the route led to Tunduma. After a short bus ride and a tuk-tuk transfer, I walked from a busy roundabout toward the border facilities.
Walking meant noise, pressure, and constant offers from sellers and transport agents. Some followed closely. Some grabbed my arm. The only strategy was calm refusal and steady movement forward.
At immigration there were forms, questions, and waiting. Eventually Tanzania stamped me out and Zambia stamped me in with a 30-day entry.
Crossing on foot made the transition feel very real — one step at a time between two countries.
Nakonde — Waiting Through the Night
In Zambia, buses are not allowed to travel at night. That meant hours of waiting at the station.
The building was cold. People rested wherever they could — benches, floors, bags as pillows. I found a sofa near a charging socket and stayed there.
Sleep came only in short moments. The focus was simple: keep belongings safe, keep the phone charged, wait for departure.
Eventually, while it was still dark, boarding began.
The Long Road to Lusaka
The bus departed in darkness. Sunrise arrived hours later, slowly lighting villages, roadside activity, and the long route south.
The ride included checkpoints, short stops, and one moment when workers inspected a tire beneath my seat after a burning smell appeared.
In Mpika there was a short stop and a paid toilet. Then the road continued, kilometer after kilometer.
By the time Lusaka appeared, the journey felt both long and strangely distant.
Arrival in Lusaka
Arrival was quiet rather than dramatic. A shared taxi carried me across the city to a familiar backpackers hostel.
Late in the evening I found a simple meal before resting. After days of buses, waiting, and movement, a bed felt like stability again.
The journey that began in Moshi, on February 8, ended in Lusaka, on February 14 — not as an ending, but as a pause before continuing onward.
Costs of the Journey
Food and daily meals are not included here. Only major transport and accommodation.
Tanzania
- Moshi → Iringa bus: 50,000 TZS (≈ 17.86 €)
- Iringa → Mbeya bus: 20,000 TZS (≈ 7.14 €)
- Mbeya → Tunduma bus: 5,000 TZS (≈ 1.79 €)
- Tuk-tuk to border: 1,500 TZS (≈ 0.54 €)
- Iringa accommodation (2 nights): 14.71 €
- Mbeya accommodation (2 nights): 40,000 TZS (≈ 14.29 €)
Tanzania total: ≈ 56.32 €
Zambia
- Nakonde → Lusaka bus: 500 ZMW (≈ 17.24 €)
- Taxi in Lusaka: 100 ZMW (≈ 3.45 €)
- Lusaka accommodation (2 nights): 14.00 €
- Booking fee: 2.61 €
- Dinner on arrival: 120 ZMW (≈ 4.14 €)
- Toilet stop: 2 ZMW (≈ 0.07 €)
Zambia total: ≈ 41.51 €
Total journey cost: ≈ 97.83 €
Reflection
This trip was not defined by scenery or comfort.
It was defined by persistence.
Wet shoes.
Crowded buses.
Waiting halls.
Border lines.
Long distances.
But each stage moved the journey forward.
And sometimes that is enough.
The road continues.
Support the Journey
If you enjoy following these overland travels and want to support the road ahead, you can help here:
⚡ Lightning: rubenstorm@coinos.io
☕ Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/rubenstorm
Every bit of support helps keep the journey moving forward. Thank you.
