Kobs Coach Services - Lusaka, Zambia

Probably the worst bus experience we've had in Africa.

Received no response to several messages and phone calls attempting to confirm bus schedule and book tickets so we got there two hours early, it took the guys on the desk about 15 minutes to organise two tickets and the seats they assigned us on the seating plan didn't exist on the bus (I can only assume they were overselling seats) which lead to us standing in the ailse for ten minutes while the conductor argued with people to organise two seats together at the very back even though there were free seats at the front which we were not allowed to take for some unknown reason.

Then we were charged an additional 60 kwacha for our bags to be stored underneath (never been charged by any other company) only to see our bags pulled out and shoved unsuccessfully shoved back in to make room for a bag of charcoal while the bus was pulling out, one of the bags was then thrown through the front door while the other one was shut in with the strap still sticking out. I asked the conductor to bring the second bag on board as well and refund my 60 kwacha. He ignored me.

The bus had no air conditioning and no window shades and did not stop for a toilet break for 5 hours (except for pulling over so some men could piss on the side of the road a couple hours in, no use to the women on board) so people in a sweltering bus who desperately needed water were then unable to pee. This stop was barely 5 mins long for almost every person on the bus to go to the bathroom.

When we got to Chipata one of Kobs staff got in a fist fight with two men in the car park while we waited half an hour for them to unload several packages from the engine compartment.

All in all a horrible way to spend 11 hours. If you have any other viable option for transport between Lusaka and Lilongwe I recommend you avoid this company at all costs.