SOUTH AND EAST AFRICA. 45 



are made to maintain excellent tracks, ideally suited to cycling, 

 from village to village. 



f. WATER TRANSPORT. 



Opportunities for long journeys by water are only afforded by 

 the great South Central African rivers, viz : the Zambesi and its 

 tributaries, the Okavango and the Kwito, though considerable stretches 

 of the lower Orange are also navigable. 



On the Zambesi and the other South Central African rivers 

 named, the native dug-out is in general use and affords an easy 

 and comfortable means of travel, provided that the services of an 

 expert native paddler are available, as the propulsion of these 

 awkward craft calls for considerable skill. The passenger sits in the 

 bow and the paddler in the stern facing him, the baggage being 

 piled up in the middle of the dug-out. The rate of progression 

 depends on the speed of the current and upon whether one is 

 travelling upstream or downstream. Downstream 25 to 30 miles 

 per diem is generally averaged ; travelling upstream it may be as 

 little as 6 to 8 miles per diem. The paddier is paid about I/- per 

 diem but is generally better pleased at the end of a trip to get 

 a blanket. 



Excellent rafts -capable of carrying very heavy loads such as 

 wagons or motor cars can be made by linking together three or 

 four dugouts in the orthodox manner. 



On the upper Zambesi large, heavily built, flatbottomed boats 

 of European design are in common use by travellers. They are 

 from 15 ft. to 20 ft. long and from 4 ft. to 6 ft. wide. The 

 boats are paddled by a dozen or more natives who stand fore and 

 aft, while the passenger sits in a deck chair under a shade of 

 native matting erected amidships. One boat can carry two men and 

 all their camp equipment. The distance covered in a day varies 

 very much according to the state of the river. Against the stream 

 when the river is full about 2 miles per hour or 16 miles per diem 

 can be done. Downstream three or four times this rate may be 

 relied upon. 



It is customary to camp on shore at night, suitable landing and 

 camping places being generally known to the natives. A light 

 mosquito-proof cottage tent and the usual sleeping equipment should 

 be carried. 



It is necessary to take a certain amount of food, but fowls 

 eggs and sweet potatoes can always be obtained from the native 



