Day 75, 135km to Maun

We expected today to be an easier day, but the wind had other plans. Botswana continues to be flat terrain with low scrub trees. The grasses are yellow and dried and we’re told this is because of drought not of normal dry season.

Left our bush camp this morning and was on the road before 7am. My camera got jammed yesterday and the backup camera was also acting up – so will need to investigate this further in Maun. Riding was fairly easy with winds from the side and more tail wind than head wind. There wasn’t much in way of villages to distract me. At 30km I passed a double fence that reminded me of the “emu fences” in Australia – keeping the big game closer to the park. Otherwise the terrain and landscape was mostly the same until reached lunch at 69km.

On the way, I passed two touring French cyclists. They had started in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and gone to Arusha and now mostly on our route. However, carrying their panniers and gear. Nice to see others cycling this route and I suspect easier in southern parts of Africa than what we did north of Nairobi.

By lunch the winds had shifted and after lunch they were definitely head winds. Now it was up and into the wind for last kilometers into Maun. I did pass through a small village or two, but any tree that overhung or other cases was an excuse to briefly stop catch my breath and pause from that wind. Fortunately, I was able to slowly keep plugging along and by 2pm I was in outskirts of Maun.

I cycled through middle areas of Maun at 127km and then slowly headed along and outbound to our lodge area at 135km. We now have a rest day here. I’m going to see further about the camera choices and also see if I can get other posts up (3G internet hasn’t been much in Botswana). The last five days have been long and so ready for a good break in Maun and get ready for five longer rides from here to Windhoek.

Comments

Day 75, 135km to Maun — 2 Comments

  1. Enjoying reading your blog. Sounds like there have been some long days . . . Hope your leg is doing better . . . Good cycling!! Doug Pearson