Nachingwea

Nachingwea is a remote inland town in western Lindi Region, historically the terminus of the Southern Province Railway (now defunct) that was built by the British in the 1950s to serve the disastrous groundnut scheme. The railway was abandoned, leaving Nachingwea as an isolated trading centre in the dry miombo woodland. It is a frontier-like settlement, surrounded by hunting reserves and cashew farms.

Nachingwea is about 150 km northwest of Lindi on a dirt road (3–4 hours, 4WD recommended in the rains). Buses from Lindi run daily but infrequently.

Walkable. A vehicle is necessary for exploring the surrounding bush and the railway ruins.

• Abandoned railway station — the skeletal remains of the Southern Province Railway terminus.

• Nachingwea Market — a lively weekly market for the surrounding villages.

• Nachingwea Game Controlled Area — a hunting reserve with elephant, buffalo, and sable antelope (not a game-viewing destination).

• Railway ruins walk — explore the overgrown railway yards, water towers, and loading ramps.

• Visit a cashew farm — Nachingwea is the centre of Lindi's cashew belt.

Basic food stalls serving ugali, beans, and goat stew.

Chai and bottled water.

Nachingwea Guesthouse — very basic.

Cashew nuts in season, dried cassava.

Lindi (150 km southeast). Liwale (120 km northwest). Masasi (100 km southwest). Ruangwa (80 km east).