Home » Malawi Tanzania » Cycle to the Summit Part 17 - Dar es Salaam to Lilongwe

Highlights of the Dar to Lilongwe stretch of Cycle to the Summit have included some super cycling and World Cup football action. We cycled through Mikumi National Park where we saw elephant, giraffe, zebra and buffalo, before crossing into Malawi to see first hand the famine situation that is featuring in the UK press. We also learned about the increasing problems associated with the AIDS epidemic. We are currently enjoying the hospitality and company of our friend Sutapa in Lilongwe. Over the next few days we will visit WaterAid and plan for the final stages of our journey to the Earth Summit in Johannesburg.

Cycle to the Summit Part 17 - Dar es Salaam to Lilongwe

Toby Hammond
2006-06-25 20:12:13

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early start got the better of us so we postponed our ascent of the escarpment in favour of eating and talking to a very entertaining policeman. But it was inevitable that we would have to cycle uphill for 8kms at some stage so very slowly, we made our way uphill, pausing at several occasions to lie at the side of the road and feel sorry for ourselves. Over dinner, we chatted with a guy involved in the promotion of Maluwa, a soap used for washing clothes that has recently been launched and whose distinctive pink advertising campaign seems to be sweeping Malawi.

13th June 2002 - Phwezi to Mzuzu - 89km

The road to Mzuzu was lined with tobacco bales waiting to be collected and transported for processing. White butterflies danced across the sky in front of us and appeared like puffs of cotton wool. We cycled parallel to Mzuzu airstrip, separated only by a 100 metre wide stretch of grass and no fencing. Apparently the airport is not busy! Our treat for the week was a meal at The Great Wall Chinese Restaurant and a comfortable bed at The Flame Tree B&B.

14th June 2002 - Mzuzu to Nkhata Bay - 50km

The day was a gentle downhill cruise to Nkhata Bay, a well known resort on the shores of Lake Malawi. Today was also significant in that we had cycled 10 000km since leaving London. We settled into the Backpackers Connection hostel and chatted to other backpackers who were busy preparing for a marathon the following day.

15th June 2002 - Nkhata Bay - Rest

The marathon started at 6am to beat the heat and finished in Nkhata Bay where we were able to cheer on the 70 runners. It was organised by US Peace Corps and was to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. All sorts crossed the finishing line; men and women, young and old, running in everything from the latest training shoes and bare feet to shorts and tight jeans! I chatted to the winner of the womens race who told me that one quarter of those ...