Backpacking Low Cost in Tanzania - Travel by bus from Kigoma to Mpanda

1 $ - 2690 TZS

 There’s only one bus a day that goes from Kigoma to Mpanda.

 We bought the ticket from a counter around Kigoma. There are many companies that are in charge with selling tickets to different destinations. By the time we bought the tickets there were only 2 seats left in the back. 

 Boarding time 5am

 Departure time 6am

 Cost 16k each

Time to destination 2pm

We wake up early morning and took a motorcycle that left us a New Bus Station in Kigoma for 2k.

The bus left few minutes after 6 o’clock and was the bumpiest road ever, also because we our back seats.

There were also people traveling seating on the floor.

We had 2 stops on the way one for toilet that costs 300 TZS and the other one in a place where everyone selling food. Chicken bbq sticks, casava, sweet potatoes, corn, peanuts, ugali or soft drinks.

We had some chicken bbq and casava for 4.5k.

This was the bumpiest road ever we have experienced in Africa because the unpaved road, so keep in mind before choosing the seats. Also if is raining this can become worse. The scenery is wild and sometimes there are few houses where people live doing agriculture. We didn’t knew and also we didn’t had an alternative because by the time we booked was already full.

Finally the last 50km were good because we reached the asphalt. 

In Mpanda we stayed at Moscow Hotel for 20k per night, hot shower, wifi and really good breakfast (omlette, pancakes and sweet potatoes with tea or coffee).

They also have bigger rooms for 30 or 40k but for us was perfectly good.

From Mpanda you can reach Katavi National Park where the you can do safari.