Travelling from Johannesburg, the world class city in Africa to Dar es salaam the bongo city. The fastest route is through Lusaka, Zambia. The journey is long and exhausting traveling across four nations. I would strongly recommend to arrange at least a proper rest at a hotel or guest house in Lusaka for a night or day between the two buses. For this post my travel is based on using Royal luxury coaches.
Johannesburg to Lusaka.
The first bus is from Johannesburg, South Africa to Lusaka, Zambia. Booking and boarding of the coach is at 125 kerk street, Johannesburg. Royal luxury coach has a service to Lusaka on Thursdays and Saturdays. The Journey takes an estimated 25hrs. The journey passes through Harare, Zimbabwe. Total distance by road is 1580.3 kilometers
Lusaka to Dar es salaam.
The second bus is from Lusaka, Zambia to Dar es salaam, Tanzania. Booking and boarding of the coach is at Intercity bus terminal in lusaka. Royal luxury coach has a service to Dar es salaam on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The journey takes an estimated 18 hours. The distance is about 1950km. In Dar es salaam the arrival point is Magufuli bus terminal.
Magufuli Bus Terminal
Magufuli Bus Terminal also known as Mbezi Bus Terminal is a major bus terminal located in Ubungo District of Dar es Salaam Region. Its the biggest and most modern bus terminal in East Africa with all the important facilities i.e waiting area, clinic, booking office, accomodation, shopping centre, etc. You can get buses to the rest of Tanzania and East Africa region i.e Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
Direct coach service from Johannesburg to Dar es salaam
Mkombe Luxury Coach offers a once weekly direct service. There coaches departs every Friday and arrives on Mondays both directions. There use the same route via Harare (Zimbabwe), Lusaka (Zambia) & Mbeya (Tanzania). Departure point In Johannesburg is at 143 Prichard street & In Dar es salaam at Ubungo business park shekilango office number 5.
Immigration and customs control
From Johannesburg to Dar es salaam your passport is stamped six times on the following borders. Before travelling kindly confirm visa requirements for your passport and apply online where possible to avoid delays at border posts.
- Beitbridge Border posts (South Africa & Zimbabwe)
- Chirundu Border posts (Zimbabwe & Zambia)
- Tunduma Border posts (Zambia & Tanzania)
Important notes
- Royal luxury coach is not the only bus operator between Johannesburg & Lusaka and also between Lusaka & Dar es salaam. Mkombe Luxury offers a direct service.
- Ensure your passport has atleast two free pages and a minimum of six months before expiration.
- English is the most common language of communication throughout the journey.
- The South African Rand & the USD are the most easily accepted currencies.
- South Africa, Zimbabwe & Zambia use GMT+2 timezone, while Tanzania uses GMT+3 timezone.
- Vaccination ensure you have yellow fever card and COVID-19 vaccine card.
suzgo chingati 