Getting Around Kigoma
Kigoma is a lakeside city and port in western Tanzania, on the northeastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, close to the borders with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It's the capital of the surrounding Kigoma Region, and the historic trading town of Ujiji sits just to the south-east. For a visitor, the practical picture is simple: the city itself is small and easy to cover on foot or by short taxi or motorcycle-taxi hops, while the region and the rest of the country are reached by train, bus, boat or plane.
How Tourists Move Around the City
Within Kigoma, the realistic options are walking, taxis, and little motorcycle taxis. There is no metro, tram or light-rail system in the city, and no urban commuter rail network to speak of — the railway here is a long-distance line, not a city transit service. That means your day-to-day movement is on foot or in a small vehicle you flag down or arrange.
- On foot — the simplest way to cover the city centre and nearby areas.
- Taxis — useful for longer hops, luggage, or when it's raining.
- Motorcycle taxis (boda boda) — a cheap, quick option for an inner-city ride.
Rail
Kigoma's railway station sits directly north of the city centre on Kiezya Road, in an impressive colonial building. It is the western terminus of the Central Line of the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC), which runs from Kigoma to the Port of Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast via Tabora and Dodoma. In Tabora there is a connection onward to Mwanza on Lake Victoria, and you can also travel by train from Tabora to Mpanda.
For visitors, this is a long-distance service rather than local transport. TRC runs an overnight sleeper service from Dar es Salaam via Dodoma and Tabora a few times a week; the journey takes two nights from Dar es Salaam and one night from cities further inland. Higher fares buy first- and second-class coaches with onboard catering and wi-fi, while third class is seating-only. It's worth booking the higher classes at least a day or two ahead to avoid an uncomfortable journey. Train travel is cheap, but services can be unreliable, and the station itself has only very limited service available.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Kigoma sits at the end of road B381, which leaves the national road B8 at Kasulu. Roads are passable and steadily being improved, though travellers should still take extra precautions. A gravel road links the town northeast to the national road network, and earth tracks run north to Burundi and southeast to Sumbawanga. Traversing the country by road takes several days; the bus from Kigoma to Mpanda, for example, takes about six hours along a good road. A daily international bus (Luba Express) runs between Kigoma and Bujumbura in Burundi.
Nationally, Tanzania has an extensive bus network reaching almost everywhere accessible by road, and buses are inexpensive. On major intercity roads they're fast; on minor tracks they're slow, and frequent stops are normal, with regular rest stops for food and toilets. Services range from basic to luxury, with air conditioning and toilets on the better coaches. For local movement within Kigoma, the shared minibuses known as dalla dalla are the ubiquitous, cheap option: they run fixed routes but will stop anywhere, and they can be overcrowded. If you ride one, it's wise to avoid the front seat next to the driver.
Also common in Tanzanian cities are bajaji (covered three-wheeled tuk-tuks), which are less usual in rural areas and have a partly open cab that lets in dust.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis in Tanzania are recognisable by their white or white licence plates. They are not metered, so you should negotiate the fare before boarding. You can hail one at the roadside or ask your hotel or a restaurant to arrange one. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber operate in Tanzania, which can be a convenient alternative where available.
For any local transport, carry small change — drivers may not have change for large bills. It also helps to ask locals what a typical fare is and to agree the price before you set off. Motorcycle taxis are fast and inexpensive but are generally considered dangerous; drivers rarely carry spare helmets and sometimes carry two passengers at once.
Walkability
Walking is one of the main ways to get around Kigoma itself, alongside taxis and motorcycle taxis. The city centre and the area around the railway station are manageable on foot. Do bear in mind that Tanzania generally has few dedicated facilities for travellers with disabilities: sidewalks are rarely wheelchair-suitable, hotels rarely have lifts and many have entrance steps. If you have mobility concerns, it's worth contacting accommodation in advance.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Kigoma Airport is a small airport in the eastern suburbs, with scheduled service to Dar es Salaam and Bujumbura. Organisation at the airport is very simple, which makes arrivals straightforward. To reach the city from the airport, use a taxi or a motorcycle taxi; as elsewhere in Tanzania, agree the fare before you set off and have small change ready.
Arriving and Leaving by Water
Kigoma is one of the busiest ports on northeastern Lake Tanganyika, and the port is the base for lake travel. The MV Liemba sails weekly from Kigoma to Mpulungu in Zambia at the southern tip of the lake, stopping at a number of other lakeside towns in Tanzania along the way. The MV Mwongozo sails from Kigoma to Baraka, Uvira and Bujumbura at the northern tip of the lake, though it is not currently working. Other ships from Congo and Burundi sail to Kigoma Port every week, and smaller ships operate to and from minor towns.
Ferry services on Lake Tanganyika connect lakeside towns, but routes change regularly and departures generally happen only a few times per month, with erratic schedules. Safety standards, while much improved, are still not up to international levels. It's usually best to inquire at the port directly, travel by day, and avoid bad weather.
Practical Tips
- Agree fares before boarding taxis, motorcycle taxis and bajaji — none are metered.
- Carry small change; drivers may not be able to break large bills.
- Ask locals what a typical fare is before you travel.
- Book higher-class train tickets a day or two ahead.
- For lake ferries, check schedules at the port in person and plan to travel by day.
- If you're driving yourself, avoid night driving — potholes and animals are hazards — and keep doors locked and valuables out of sight in towns.