Lilongwe to Dedza Pottery (103km) 

After an early breakfast, we leave Lilongwe passing the Presidential House, and head into the countryside on winding sand roads and tracks. As we leave Lilongwe, we leave the more urban villages on the city’s outskirts behind us and head into farmlands, farmed by small-scale farmers. There are no gates or fences, and the riding is not technical. The first half of today’s ride is mildly undulating. At Nkhoma Village we will stop for refreshments from our support vehicle.  

The second half of the ride to Dedza is a little more strenuous as we climb towards Dedza, the highest point of the tour. Closer to Dedza we will pass through beautiful pine forests, as we climb gradually to our overnight stop.  

We will be staying at Dedza Pottery. Our support crew and Malawi’s legendary ‘’Thobwa’’ protein/energy replacement drink will be waiting for us! A late lunch will be served, and the afternoon is at leisure to look around the Dedza pottery workshop. An early dinner will be served at about 18H30. The Chicken Kawasho Kawasho is highly recommended! 

Dedza to Makokola Retreat at Lake Malawi  (145km)

If you restrained yourself on day 1, today will be your day! It’s a day of a huge downhill on a beautiful very quiet new tar road, into the Great Rift Valley, and a bump towards the end of the day, (but no serious climbs) with some gentle riding between them. The downhills take the sting out of today’s distance and make it very manageable.  

Today’s ride is on a good sand road, with a little good nontechnical single track. Occasionally shallow riverbeds need to be crossed either ridden or walked, depending on the water level.  Malawi is known for its very friendly people and expect to have happy, carefree children greeting you and running after you! The tracks are also shared with local farmers who will be intrigued to see you! We will teach you a few Chichewa greetings, and the locals will be overjoyed to hear you speak their language. Their warm welcome is what makes Malawi unique!  

There is no better place to stay in Malawi than The Makokola Retreat, a 5-star experience. After our first two-day ride, two nights at this premium resort on the Lake is very well deserved! We should arrive in time for a late lunch. 

The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the many activities on offer at Makokola Retreat or just to put your feet up and relax!  

Day 4 – Rest Day: Makokola Retreat

Today is our cycling rest day with lots to offer! https://makokola.com/. A late sleep in, and a relaxing day!  

Makokola Retreat has something for everybody, water sports, bird watching, feeding fish eagles, diving in the Lake to view Lake Malawi’s famous Cichlids (tropical fish), a walk through a forest of Baobabs to Nkopola Lodge or just relaxing at Makokola’s fantastic pool, or relaxing at one of the many lounges.  

Makokola Retreat to Liwonde (on the Upper Shire River) (125 km)

Today after a good rest at the Lake – the Queen stage of the tour! A good opportunity to work off any overindulgence!!  Today will test your fitness, it is a long but rewarding day!

After a hearty breakfast buffet, we bid farewell to Mak Retreat and climb inland leaving Lake Malawi behind us. Most of today’s climbing comes early on a district sand road, and a cautious start will pay dividends!  

From the high point, it’s a meandering route through villages and small-scale farmlands down towards the Shire River (the only river that flows out of Lake Malawi, and a major tributary feeding the Zambezi River.) The route is on village tracks and undulates passing village Spaza Shops offering cold drinks, biscuits, and bananas. We will be staying at Hippo View Lodge on the outskirts of the town of Liwonde on the banks of the river. 

Liwonde to Blantyre (125km)

After an early breakfast, we leave Hippo View and cross the Shire River at the newly built barrage. We then follow the Shire River east, before turning away from the Shire River up a steep short climb!  

At the halfway mark, a Coke stop is essential, the big climb of the tour awaits us! It is a challenging climb, beautiful and well worth the sense of achievement! The climb is on a road built in colonial times. The Strava Crown is held by Dr Ernest Welsh from Johannesburg who climbed the 8.5km climb (466 vertical meters) in 38:03. For those who wish to duck the climb a motor bike taxi is a great call! Negotiate a fair price and you will be on top in minutes!  

From the top it is an easier, fast ride through the Zomba district, before entering the first commercial farm areas, farming Macadamia, Tobacco, and maize. It is a meandering ride through quite different scenery to our previous days rides to Blantyre…Along the way we stop at a Spaza Shop for refreshments before dropping to the remarkably busy town of Lunzu. From Lunzu it is a steady climb into Blantyre, finishing at the beautiful Leslie Lodge.  

Once back in Blantyre lunch will be served and then there will be time to pack bikes and recover! That evening a celebratory dinner will be held, and prizes and awards will be presented!  

Homeward Bound!

The daily Air Malawi flight to Johannesburg leaves Blantyre’s Chileka International Airport at 09H30, with Airlink’s flight departing at 14H00. After an early breakfast, our support crew will transport those on the morning flight to the airport, and later in the day those on the Airlink flight. We will assist you through the departures hall and see you safely on your way.  

We hope that you would have enjoyed your time in Malawi, and we hope that you will do one of our future icycle tours in the not-too-distant future!!