The incredible 46-hour train journey linking two beautiful African countries

Train travel is one of the best ways to explore a country, offering a relaxed way to take in scenic views and experience local culture. Many rail companies offer their own special tours - such as the world famous that runs between London and Istanbul.

In , Rovos Rail provides luxury train travel across southern parts of the continent, which include journeys between Cape Town and Pretoria, as well as to the . For those on a more limited budget, there is one train route that offers a fascinating trip between two beautiful African countries.

The Tazara Railway runs between Dar es Salaam in to Kapari Mposhi in Zambia - a journey that takes the traveller across eastern and Southern Africa at an affordable price.

It has become one of the best ways to see stunning scenery and to experience the local culture of both countries.

The line covers a distance of 1,160 miles and the train runs twice a week, taking around 46 hours - although delays and disruptions are common.

From the comfort of their seats, passengers can see warthogs, baboons and guinea fowl in their natural habitat as they pass through Tanzania's legendary Selous Game Reserve.

One of the biggest of its kind in , the game reserve covers an area larger than that of the Netherlands.

At the same time, travellers will, have ample opportunity to admire the beautiful landscapes which include waterfalls, rivers, valleys, rainforests, highlands, and mountains.

As the train only runs at a speed of less than 30km per hour, there is plenty of time to take in the stunning views.

The line is popular with ordinary Africans, who are only too happy to practice their English with travellers.

Construction of the line began in the 1960s, a joint collaboration between Zambia, Tanzania and China.

The train line marked China's first development project in and cost a whopping US$2.71 billion (£2bn) in today's money.

The Tazara is the longest railway in sub-Saharan Africa and has played a major role in helping economic development in a number of countries.

As well as providing Zambia with a route to the sea, the Tazara has also been able to help other landlocked nations along its route such as Malawi, Burundi, and Rwanda.

The railway has improved life for locals, allowing farmers to plant more diverse crops, facilitating trade between cities, allowing settlements to expand in size, as well as enabling the construction of water plants and paper mills.