The Lunatic Line was financed and built by China, then adopted by the Kenyan government as a faster way to move cargo between Nairobi and the port of Mombasa.
Although it was designed for transport, it has also become a popular way for tourists to travel across Kenya. Since its opening in May 2017, it has attracted both local and international passengers.
Kenya Railways Corporation added more services to meet the high demand. There are now two passenger trains a day on each route, and over 2.7 million people have used the service so far.
Tickets often sell out in advance, especially during holidays.
Because many passengers were tourists, special safari-style features were introduced. The train route passes through Nairobi National Park and between Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks.
Passengers can enjoy views of wildlife and the landscape, with guides providing interesting historical and geographical facts. On clear days, Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen in the distance.
Zebras and other animals are often spotted along the way as the train stops at various stations.
Tsavo Terror – The Man-Eating Lions
The Lunatic Line’s history is also linked to one of Kenya’s most famous wildlife stories. During the construction of the original railway in the Tsavo region in 1898, two male lions attacked and killed workers for about nine months.
Many Indian laborers were dragged from their tents at night and eaten. The camp became known as “the human butcher shop.” Reports claim that 135 workers were killed before Colonel Patterson, the project leader, managed to shoot both lions.
Lions do not usually hunt humans, so their behavior remains a mystery. One theory is that the railway passed close to an old slave trade route, where sick or dead people were left behind, giving the lions an easy source of food.
Another explanation is that one of the lions had an infected tooth, making it difficult to hunt normal prey, so it turned to humans.
Today, the Lunatic Line offers a safe and scenic way to explore Kenya while passing through areas rich in both wildlife and history.
