We set off from Iringa, nestled between Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Parks. The forests here will give way to tea plantations, banana and avocado groves, nestled in the undulating hills as we cycle south towards Malawi. In the distance growing larger with every kilometre the sparkling expanse of Lake Malawi, Africa’s third largest lake.

Leaving Tanzania behind we cross the border at Tukuyu and cycle the last few kilometers to the shores of Lake Malawi. Here we follow the lake shore passing small fishing villages to Chitemba Beach. Chitemba has been a haven for Africa overlanders for years and a great place for us to rest, swim and take in a ‘Malawi Gin’ or two.

After our rest days on the shores of Lake Malawi, we head inland and ‘climb’ the escarpment up onto the central Malawi plateau. The roller coaster Viphya Mountains lie between us and our destination of Lilongwe the capital of Malawi. Here we will be joined by locals as they cycle about on their daily errands, carrying chickens, goats and also their harvests to market by bicycle.

Lilongwe will be the first city of any size we have seen since Nairobi, a chance to restock, maybe catch a movie and try to deal with the activity of a busy bustling city once again.

Although this section is all paved road, we are still in for a challenge with Malawi’s moderately mountainous landscape and at this time of the year the tail end of the rainy season.