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Anna

Heard from some backpackers that the train is surprisingly comfortable, clean and safe, and the scenery is easy on the eyes. This info is from July.

But I would question why you want to go to Tete in the first place? Unless you have a specific reason, I think you might be disappointed as a tourist. It´s interesting that the city is booming due to coal mining, is a major trade link, and the bridge over the Zambezi is nice enough, but its also extremely hot and dry and there´s not much going on in terms of things to do.

In Lonely Planet Southern Africa they recommended Tete as being worth a look but really they always recommend everywhere (even Nampula which is a dump). I´m not saying you just follow the typical backpacker trail, just sharing some info.

Personally, seeing as you are going through Malawi, I´d spend decent time there as it would be relatively easy for you to check out the south of Lake Malawi, Mulange, Zomba, Liwonde national park, or even Blantyre which is a laid back city, well set up for tourists and a pleasant place to spend a night or two. Malawi would also be a lot more helpful to your budget.

From the Malawian border to Tete the distance is not far, plenty of buses, but also the ubiquitous potholes.

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Agreed, avoid Tete and stay in Malawi. Getting accommodation in Tete is a nightmare at the moment with the boom...

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Great, thanks for the heads up! Are there any parts of north-western Moz that you do recommend? Or should I leave Malawi back the way I came? I'll be heading down to J'Burg right after the Malawi part of my trip.

Thanks so much for your help!

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Not sure if there´s much going on in that region, unless you happen to be a keen angler in which case there´s Cahora Bassa lake.

It might well be quicker to travel to Joburg via Tete then via Harare. You´d have to pay for a visa for Zimbabwe (available on entry at Nyamapanda border) and I am not sure what the public transport options from Malawi to Harare are like, but certainly there are decent overnight buses from Harare to Joburg.

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From Blantyre (or is it from Lilongwe) there is a bus directly to Johannesburg at least a couple of times a week. I do not know the details, but I am sure someone else will be able to provide them.

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Thanks for all your help guys - Will I able to get down to Maputo or J'Burg without going through Zimbabwe or will that be difficult?

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Does anyone know how often busses leave Tete to head south? Are they every day or might I wind up stuck there for a few days waiting?

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You can definitely get to Maputo or Joburg without going through Zim ... was just suggesting an idea.

Suggest you follow up on RudiK´s recommendation re direct bus from Malawi to Joburg, by posting a new question in the Malawi forum - there are some knowledgable and helpful people there.