Oho. Transport in Africa! It's an aquired taste! When I travelled through Malawi and Mozambique, I used whatever transport was available, which turned out to be -
minibuses (always jam packed, the people sitting next to you always up for some chat, with babies crying and laughing at you, and chicks under your feet),
pickups (the same as minibuses except instead of a seat you have the floor, there are more animals (goats, hens..), and less opportunity for talk, as the wind is howling in your face, although the views are better and when you stop it's easier to get snacks),
bicycle taxis (quite straining, but nice quiet and fume-free way to travel short distances... make sure to tip your driver!),
trains (the least comfortable of all if in 3rd class, as it is always packed, is much slower than crazy african minibus/car drivers, and breaks down for much longer, but that all means more room for chat and laughter, and card games. 2nd class and 1st can be very comfortable in trains, most of the time!,
boat (dhows on the indian ocean are a lovely way to travel - as long as it doesn't get rough. Be prepared to help out with the sails, make sure to tie your own baggage down, and bring your own water and food, and sun protection!).
My favourite would be minibuses (long distance buses tend to be less comfortable and often slower), where you will be comfortable enough once you're packed in, and there's lots of banter. And what about walking? Now that's surely the situation most likely for hilarity - africans don't understand why white people walk when we could afford transport - and it's relaxing, once you've applied the technique of controlling hordes of kids patrolling with you, and suitors, if you're a girl.
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