
Cycle Tour Botswana Wk 7
Cycling Botswana | No Fairytale But It Gets Better | BLOG#4
A Journey still but no fairytale
“Good Christmas?”……”Yeah, great thanks and you?”
It is always great….at least that’s what I tell everyone. Honestly, I do love Christmas but it has rarely been “great” right through, there have always been a painfully quiet few days or some touched with sadness. I seem to spend a lot of the period missing certain people or evaluating my “happiness”. Am I alone on this?
I also give a similar response when asked how this trip is going “great”. It almost feels expected to be positive but to be completely honest I found the past 10 days quite…..boring and it brought me down! As a result I had a dilemma this week of whether to write a fun, sugar coated, safari version of the cycle tour in Africa for Christmas cheer (easily done) -OR- just tell it like it is.
Windhoek to the Border (Last few days in Namibia)
It took a while to leave Windhoek, the rest did a lot of good, the people and the hostel bed were a nice change but really, fear of the unknown kept me there for a whole week instead of the few days initially planned. When I did get going, crossing the mountains was quite easy (did I just say that?)

Billboard outside windhoek: it rained as news circulated that Nelson Mandela had passed away – fitting tears from the sky for great Madiba.
I plodded along for a few days with little concern other than where to sleep but wild camping in Africa is a relatively easy process: find a bush just before dark, wait till nobody’s looking and pitch the tent behind it. On another night, I could have been camping underneath a big African sky full of stars but the weather didn’t allow for it and instead I sat in the mud, eating noodles out of a plastic bowl.

Still working hard on getting those Irish dance moves down – check out how I’ve mastered the arms by my side

The last 5km to the border were just brilliant. Looking out over the landscape as I rolled downhill, a great feeling of achievement came over. At that moment possibilities were endless
Another Amusing Border Crossing
As usual the border police had a good laugh at my bicycle through the window (two female officers literally whooped with laughter this time), while a group of tourists and their fully kitted Landrover’s crowded around it. Interestingly, westerners usually seem amazed and inspired by the idea of riding a bicycle across Africa while the locals just think it’s dumb.
Cycling Botswana
It’s notorious for long, flat, stretches – it’s tiring to drive so you can probably imagine how it feels cycling Botwana. Longer distances were now possible but the extremely repetitive scenery and what seemed like one long endless road made it difficult to stay motivated. Silly thoughts swirled around and on one particular day of headwinds I remember shouting every swear word under the sun, into the wind. It was a lot of pressure to be fair, being one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, the distances between towns are usually more than 100km apart and I had no choice but to reach them – camping wild was too risky.
Deeper into Africa
However reaching the interior, small farms started cropping up and little children came running out of the bushes with both hands waving. I had yet to see something like this in Africa from the bicycle so it was exciting to see the slow changing way of life. Small mud huts, makeshift fences, wandering donkeys and the smell of cooking were all the first signs of a different type of civilization to what I had become used to in South Africa and Namibia.
Dog days are not over
Of all the exotic animals crowding my thoughts prior to arriving in Africa, dogs were probably the last but now it seems impossible to pass a village without a group of them giving chase. The first was terrifying – around a hundred metres away, four disease riddled, crazed dogs started barking and running wildly through the bush. They were soon giving chase on the road behind and looking over my shoulder was great encouragement for reaching a new personal best speed that day. There would be many more, they seem so excited each time I wonder if they’re looking for a lift – I don’t hang around to find out.
Listen to the locals
So…Lions. Botswana is known for a healthy free roaming lion population, this is mostly in, but not confined to, certain areas such as the Okavango Delta and Chobe NP. Despite worrying about their presence prior to getting here, I genuinely just cycle along during the day without stress, I guess “out of sight, out of mind”. However, speaking with locals can change this very quickly and quite often they ask am I afraid of lions to which I just answer “yes”.
I met a trucker, Dan many times as he went back and forth between Namibia and Botswana with deliveries. This guy was so big, happy and smiley all the time – it was a big lift when he stopped to chat. However a couple of days into cycling Botswana he stopped to ask where I was staying overnight, when I told him the name of the junction (enroute to Ghanzi) his expression turned serious for the first time in all our meetings.
“Yes but do not go further than that junction, there are sometimes lions around there at night”.
I’m not sure how true this is, I had heard that locals often exaggerate about lion sightings but facts are, they still know better than we do and taking chances in this situation would be a dumb move.
Do we worry too much?
There’s plenty of roadkill too, one day I counted 2 donkeys, a cow and a dog – all half eaten. I wonder what eats them? the paranoid side of my brain shouts excitedly “HYENA, DEFINITELY HYENA” while I peer into the bushes on either side of the road. I’m silly like that, It only takes something slight to have my mind racing. The height of this paranoia was confirmed one night when I convinced myself that something big and nasty was creeping around the tent. It went on for over an hour and I can confirm that finding out it was two little frogs definitely made me feel less of a man.
I’m not naive to the risks re wildlife in these parts but often question the point in worrying so much about what might happen? These scenarios are unlikely and I have exactly zero control over the chances of it happening. I figure we worry too much in life, usually about “possibilities” that never even come to happen and the longer this trip goes on, the more I realise how important it is to instead just live in the moment and not let anxiety control how we feel.
A Moment of Happiness
It had been an awful morning, 10kmh into the wind, the same scenery, boiling hot and a grind to keep the wheels turning. I was headed for Ghanzi 110km away and with wild camping out of the question, there was no alternative – I either do the 110km or turn back. Believe me, my mind had been so numb with boredom during this day that I considered the latter.
It took over 6 hours of relentless cycling to a turn off which would signal the end of the headwind. I had already stopped too many times to remember, not for rest but rather to get my head back together, put simply, the thoughts of the task at hand seemed almost impossible. Arriving at the turn off, I was now changing into wet gear, unbelievably just when I thought progress had been made, a major thunder and lightening storm was overhead – I expected the worst.
Turning the corner, I fully expected to get thrown from the bike and literally winced at the thought of what was about to happen. Lightening lit up the road in front with rain now crashing down on it. To my shock the rain was now on my back pushing, then huge claps of thunder directly overhead had me ducking – without even pedalling, the storm moved the bike along at great speed. The first minute was hairy, the heavy bicycle load acted like a sail and all I could do was steer as we got swept along. More brilliant flashes of light followed by thunder, wind swirled around in the bushes, trees were rocking, I was so afraid it wouldn’t last but it did, soon I was delirious, soaking wet but laughing like a witch on a broomstick as the bike clicked into the lowest gear – it was unthinkable, this storm had come exactly at the right moment – to save me and it lasted all the way to Ghanzi. How simple it all seemed, one of the most amazing experiences of my life was taking place riding a bicycle alone in the rain. Cars came toward with lights flashing, horns beeping at what must of been an insanse sight – one of the worst days on trip had suddenly been transformed into a scene worthy of any movie depicting happiness.

The moment was so amazing I risked breaking the camera just to get a video – it would have been worth it regardless of what happened the camera
A warning from above
Cycling through the storm was incredible and in particular I just love the coolness brought by the rains but a storm later that week served as a future warning. It’s wet season in Botswana at the moment so thunderstorms are a daily occurrence, however one night while rain hammered the tent I woke to the biggest bout of thunder and lightening imaginable. It sounded as though it had hit something very close to the tent and for the sake of avoiding this sounding like an exaggeration – just know, I woke up trembling to how loud it was. The next morning I thought to myself that cycling through the previous thunderstorm is probably not the brightest thing I have ever done.
Make the most of the time you have
The journey has definitely had it’s moments but to describe it as being “happy” on this travel blog wouldn’t be accurate. Really, it’s been more about rising to the challenge and lessons of appreciation rather than finding happiness.
But I’m still learning at least: I thought this trip was hard and often felt sorry for myself with the crappy living conditions. That was until I started passing through poor villages, littered with smiling kids dressed in rags, until I looked at pictures of more kids battling cancer on Aoibheann’s Pink Tie website and until I find out my two good friends had just lost their father suddenly.
This trip is not hard and neither is cycling here in Botswana – it’s not hard at all – it’s a great challenge that I can rise above. Just like complications at work, a family feud or the petty argument you had with a friend – it may not seem like a picture of happiness right now but really, most of us are very fortunate not to be facing the most heartbreaking of all losses this Christmas.
No matter how bad things are, it gets better
So maybe my answer to the question wasn’t so bad after all, without having to go into detail it also saves us time “Yeah, great thanks and you?” and we all know time is short. So regardless of what you’re going through, make the most of the next couple of weeks and time spent with those closest to you. This Christmas will hopefully be a happy time for you but if not and if you spend Christmas alone, remember – it gets better.

The long straight roads of Botswana have made me eager to push on and so the plan is to now spend Christmas on the road for the sake of reaching somewhere fun for New Years,…and so the wheels keep turning

You know your beard is out of control when a ginger cat starts growing out of it, Merry Christmas everyone
Derek Cullen is an experienced overland tour leader in Africa. He is best known for cycling across Africa and writing about travel in Africa for many online media publications. If you would like advice or information for your trip to Africa, you can speak with him directly through the LiveChat box!
Lorraine Valentine
December 23, 2013 at 12:25 pm
Yay so you found that hill for me and free wheeled down it for me! Another brilliant read Derek… Happy Christmas i will raise a glass to you on Weds with Mam… be safe xxx
No Hanging Around
December 24, 2013 at 4:33 pm
Lorraine Happy xmas to yourself and Marion (or ….mam!) Have a great few days/week/New Year. Really great having you pitch in with thoughts on my ramblings lol Thanks again , Derek
Phelim Warren
December 23, 2013 at 7:54 pm
Another great episode Derek, Happy Christmas, stay safe and keep going. Brilliant stuff.
No Hanging Around
December 24, 2013 at 4:31 pm
Thanks once again Phelim, I see you’re doing a nice little bit of PR for me on Twitter – really appreciated. The ybig lads are always the business when it comes to getting behind something. Cheers, Derek
valerie cullen carter
December 23, 2013 at 11:12 pm
Derek what can I say… you blow me away. I really look forward to your weekly chapters. You are brilliant. You have tremendous spirit. God bless Will be thinking of you, but remember you are not alone out there. xxxxxxxxxxxx Val Nollaig Shona Duit 🙂
No Hanging Around
December 24, 2013 at 4:30 pm
There you are Valerie 🙂 Thank you so much for the support as usual, getting some great messages these past few weeks which literally make it exciting getting stuck further into the challenge. Happy Xmas, trust me I’m loving the thought of xmas on the bicycle tomorrow…what a way to spend it!! Happy Xmas to you and the family x
Stephen Mc Mullen
December 24, 2013 at 1:03 am
Fantastic read ! Keep it going! Happy Xmas man !
No Hanging Around
December 24, 2013 at 4:27 pm
How are you my good friend Ste, Could do with a few xmas pints with you around now haha Thanks buddy, Happy Xmas
James Morrison
December 24, 2013 at 7:09 am
I keep seeing bicycle tracks on the road and expect to see you just up ahead crouched under a tree guzzling water or doing a dance. Heh. Despite me having a motor attached to my two wheels I’m still way behind you in Swakomund! I’m going to pick up the pace after Christmas and hope to see you in the road. Take care mate!
No Hanging Around
December 24, 2013 at 4:27 pm
James will be great to see you again, no doubt you’ll catch up quick enough. You must have blasted it the whole around Namibia by now – hope there’s been no mech problems – I dropped you an email
Fraser
December 24, 2013 at 3:29 pm
Great post Derek, have a fantastic Christmas and much wilder new year!
No Hanging Around
December 24, 2013 at 4:25 pm
Thats the plan Fraser, Cycling through xmas for the sake of a wild new Year. Cheers pal, you have a great one too – I have http://www.cyclehacker.com update on the to do list tonight, how simple is life right now haha Merry Christmas
Joellen
December 25, 2013 at 9:59 am
Wow, fantastic weblog. And have a Merry Christmas!
No Hanging Around
December 28, 2013 at 7:17 am
Thanks Joellen, Merry Xmas to you too
Tammy
December 27, 2013 at 7:49 am
Yet another great read Derek….I genuinely look forward to your updates to hear what you’ve been up to. It fascinates me. Only 4 days to go before your hard-earned party for New Years…have fun!! x
No Hanging Around
December 28, 2013 at 7:17 am
Hey Tammy, that’s really awesome you look forward to reading the blog! The past few days have been the most eventful yet so lots to think about for the next one…I haven’t had a proper night out in over two months now so here’s hoping I can make it there haha Great to hear from you! Derek
Ciaran Harry Butler
December 28, 2013 at 2:54 am
Hey Derek.
Merry Christmas. I’m sure it was strangest one yet! Really enjoying the blogs. Hope ya keep safe and keep the blogs coming. Best of luck reaching your destination for NYE. You deserve it.
Chat soon mate
Harry 🙂
No Hanging Around
December 28, 2013 at 7:13 am
Ah my good ol mate, thanks for the message – delighted your following Harry, means a lot to see this 🙂 Have a great NYE yourself, if I know you – it will probably be ridiculously epic and last for several days haha Derek
Calum
April 12, 2015 at 5:11 pm
Hey mate, great read.
Who takes the pics of you riding the bicycle?
Do you actually set the camera up further ahead and just film your approach?