Day 2

Lilongwe to Dedza – 100km

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 outskirts of the city behind us and head into farmlands, farmed by hundreds of 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, meet our support crew, and fill up with refreshments from our support vehicle. The second half of the ride to Dedza is a little more strenuous as we climb towards Dedza which is the highest point of the tour. Closer to Dedza we will pass through beautiful pine forests, as we climb gradually to our over-night stop. What makes Malawi incredibly special is the gravel roads are like country lanes, free of corrugation, never very wide and they meander their way through the countryside – no long straight roads. Riding them is a pleasure. We will be staying at Dedza Pottery. Our support crew will be waiting for us, and your bags will be in your rooms. 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.

Day 3

Dedza Pottery to Eagles Nest, Chembe Village – Cape Maclear. (Intermediate Route 78km, Longer Route 150km)

Today’s distances look daunting at 153km for the long route, it is however a spectacular mostly downhill ride, quite different to our first day. Many riders have surprised themselves on this stage, by completing the whole distance. After a few Kilometers on the M1 (main tar road – take care), we follow a beautiful – almost brand-new quiet tar road – leading down the escarpment into the Great Rift Valley. It’s a mix of switch backs and descending, you may think you are in Italy’s Dolomites! The early morning views with mist hanging over the Rift Valley are spectacular.

Halfway down we turn off the Golomoti Pass tar road and follow a sand road and then a second quiet tar road before reaching our first major village at Kasinje at the 78km mark. It’s a well-deserved Coke stop. The middle portion of today’s ride is on a good gravel road which slowly becomes wide non-technical single track as we leave the more populated areas behind. At the 124 km mark we cross a tar road where our support vehicle can collect those who have had enough! The last 30km to Cape Maclear is scenic but be warned – there is a final short steep climb on an old potholed tar road, before a fantastic free wheel into Cape Maclear. While today’s distances are long downhill, some quiet tar roads, and good condition gravel farm roads contribute to making these distances achievable and rewarding to complete. We will be staying at Eagles Nest – Chembe Village, Cape Maclear. This is a well-run beautiful resort on the edge of Cape Maclear with its own secluded beach. Cape Maclear is a fishing village, visited frequently by tourists – Malawi’s answer to the Cote d’Azure with sparkling turquoise waters fringed by the vibe of everyday African village life. It’s my “happy place” on this wonderful planet!

Day 4

Rest Day – Chembe Eagles Nest – Cape Maclear

Our first well deserved rest day is at Cape Maclear. It is said that David Livingstone described Cape Maclear as one of the most beautiful sites in Africa. The village of Chembe at Cape Maclear has grown enormously over the last few years, but it remains idyllic, offering a wonderful African experience. Activities include site seeing by motorized boat, snorkeling to see the famous Lake Malawi Cichlids (Tropical Fish), paddling, feeding the many fish eagles, visiting the village, or just chilling at the swimming pool. For the more energetic, a ride to Monkey Bay is an option! Very friendly locals will offer to make you laundry bags, happy pants, wooden curio’s, boating trips …. Please consider supporting them! The weather at this time of year should be excellent, long warm sunny days…a perfect time to visit the Lake.

Day 5

Chembe Eagles Nest (Cape Maclear) to Makokola Retreat. (70km)

Today is one of my favorite routes! I always leave Cape Maclear with a heavy heart – it’s a happy place, but on we go, so much more to see and explore! We climb slowly out of Chembe village, and soon we are on village non-technical gravel tracks again. As in previous days we will meet our support crew at a designated point along the way for refreshments, and we will be warmly welcomed by Malawians at each stop, who cannot believe what they are seeing!

The route is undulating, scenic and with a gentle climb to the day’s high point, all on particularly good tracks. As we drop back down towards the Lakes’ more southern shores we will be treated to magnificent views of the Lake – we suggest you slow down, stop and enjoy the view! The last few km’s is on one of the gravel roads where some traffic can be expected. Makokola Retreat, Malawi’s premier, and most luxurious Lake Resort await us! We should arrive in time for a hearty 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 6

Rest Day: Makokola Retreat.

Today is our second 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 once again 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 at one of the many lounges. The cuisine is wonderful, it’s fresh, it’s tasty, there is a wonderful variety to choose from, and it’s perfect to rejuvenate a tired cyclist.

 

Day 7

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 grave road, and a cautious start will pay dividends! We pass through numerous villages but due to the state of roads and in particular wooden bridges getting our support vehicle onto the route is a challenge. For this reason, we will buy refreshments from local shops along the way. 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 undulates but is downhill passing village Spaza Shops offering Coldrinks, 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.

Day 8

Liwonde to Zomba – 70km – Short but Sharp!

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 point, a Coke stop is essential, the first 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; it’s like a mini–Swartberg Pass – just beautiful. 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 we reach the town of Zomba, the original pre-Malawi independence capital of Northern Nyasaland. After refreshments we tackle the final climb. It’s a wonderful 10km climb on an old narrow tar road at the perfect gradient to test your legs. The final climb ends at our hotel perched high above Zomba. For those looking for alternatives to the climb, motorbike taxis will be on hand to take you and your bike to our hotel. We plan to arrive before lunch. The afternoon is at leisure, and for the hyperactive, a walk to Williams Falls is recommended. Dinner will be served at 18H30.

Day 9

Our last days ride – Zomba to Blantyre – 98km.

Our last days ride feels so different to some of the other days, but that’s cycling in Malawi, lots of route variety. Today we ride through commercial farm areas, farming Macadamia, Tobacco, and maize. It is a meandering ride through different scenery to our previous day’s rides. It seems strange in places, for the first time since leaving Lilongwe we will see the odd fence but luckily none to cross! 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!

Day 9

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.