Getting there
By air from Dar es Salaam or Kigoma, by train on the Central Line, or by road from Dodoma, Mwanza, Kigoma, Mpanda and Mbeya.
By air
Tabora Airport (TBO) is 8 km south of the town, with a 1,900-metre asphalt runway. Air Tanzania flies to Tabora from Dar es Salaam and Kigoma; book on its website or app. Taxis meet the flights.
By train
Tabora is the junction of the Central Line. Tanzania Railways (TRC) runs passenger trains between Dar es Salaam and Kigoma via Dodoma and Tabora, with connections at Tabora for Mwanza and Mpanda. The journey from Dar es Salaam takes most of two days and is the classic way to arrive. Timetables and tickets are on the TRC website.
The standard-gauge railway (SGR) from Dar es Salaam is under construction towards Tabora and Mwanza; when it opens, the journey from the coast will take hours rather than days.
By road
Tabora sits where two trunk roads cross. The T18 runs Singida–Tabora–Kigoma and is paved for most of its length; the T8 runs Mbeya–Tabora–Mwanza and is partly unpaved. Long-distance buses connect Tabora with Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Mwanza (about 340 km), Kigoma, Mpanda and Mbeya, leaving from the bus stand in town; Dar es Salaam is a full day’s journey. Buses fill up, so book a day ahead at the bus stand.
Driving yourself, allow for long distances between fuel stops and for the state of the unpaved sections in the rains (November to April).
In this section
Getting around
Tabora is flat and compact. Taxis, boda-boda motorcycles and bicycle taxis cover the town; for Kwihara, Igombe or the parks you need a car.
Where to stay
From the colonial Kaiserhof to mission guest houses: where to sleep in Tabora, and the hotels that have listed themselves in the directory.
Practical information
When to come, money, health, phones and language.