Home » Malawi Mozambique » Cycle to the Summit Part 18 - Lilongwe to Maputo

Rather than take the popular Tete Corridor the team made their way on worsening roads to the Southern tip of Malawi. Mozambique proved much more undeveloped and remote than expected, often in the early days only passing through one small town a day with very limited supplies. But help and hospitality was at hand, from a much appreciated and unexpected source. The Indian Ocean was reached again after many testing days cycling and with it civilization 'as we know it' was slowly restored.

Cycle to the Summit Part 18 - Lilongwe to Maputo

Toby Hammond
2006-06-25 20:20:17

Displayed times (last time: )

source: http://www.cycletothesummit.org.uk

Wednesday 3-Jul-02 Lilongwe to near Salima 93km

It felt good to be on the bikes again after yet another longer than intended stay in a capital city.It took all day to get back to were we had been two weeks earlier, brought home by the fact that we were taking our weekly Malaria tablets in the same spot.

Thursday 4-Jul-02 near Salima to Golomori 92km

Cycling past the Southern end of the lake we headed for a Mission at Mua, where we had heard there are good pottery and wood carving stalls, accommodation and an interesting cultural museum. Unfortunately in a fit of enthusiasm we went straight past the turn off feeling sure it would be signed with so many people mentioning it to us. We decided to carry on and stayed in a typical Malawian rest house instead.

Friday 5-Jul-02 Golomori to Phulula 106km

We had decided not to take the main route South through the Tete 'Corridor' but to head for the very Southern tip of Malawi to cross into Mozambique on a quieter back road. The distance was similar but the route looked more interesting and there appeared to be shorter distances between settlements a comforting factor when cycling. We all commented that the children were much less objectionable than the previous day when it seemed that every other kid shouted something a long the lines of "muzungu give me your money". It was becoming painfully monotonous. The guesthouse that evening was most noticeable for its remarkably full pit latrine.

Saturday 6-Jul-02 Phulula to Blantyre 88km

Left with a manageable 80 km to Blantyre the commercial capital of Malawi, the day started flat but we could see the encroaching mountains where the city was perched and finished our day with a long slow climb. Someone called Roz. who had come across our web site had e'mailed us to ...