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Woman Cycles 10,000km Across Africa, Faces Desert Heat
18 Feb
Summary
- She cycled 10,000km from Rwanda to South Africa.
- She endured tsetse flies and extreme desert heat.
- The journey highlighted the kindness and generosity of strangers.
A 35-year-old woman has completed a "magical" 10,000km (6,214 miles) cycling journey across Africa, starting in Rwanda and ending in South Africa. Ellie Mitchell-Heggs returned home to Taunton, Somerset, after her ambitious expedition.
During her travels through multiple countries, Mitchell-Heggs encountered significant challenges, including being chased by tsetse flies and cycling through the Namib Desert during its dry season. She described reaching temperatures of 45C and the necessity of cycling in the early mornings to avoid the heat and headwind.
Despite the difficulties, Mitchell-Heggs found the experience profoundly rewarding, highlighting the "magical landscape of Namibia" and canoeing the Zambezi River. Her journey also served as an opportunity to research and report on the work of 80 NGOs focusing on education, youth empowerment, and gender issues.
The cyclist emphasized the extraordinary kindness of strangers, noting that she often received spontaneous accommodation. This experience significantly boosted her confidence in the inherent goodness of people, making her feel that she was "living her best life."
