The 2007 event starts in Durban on the east coast of the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and heads north through the Kingdom of the Zulu and Swaziland. We then skirt the edge of the famous Kruger National Park (with an option for teams not concerned about time to drive the entire length of the park!) to the far north of South Africa before heading west into Botswana at Pontdrif.
The route then heads up through Francistown to Nata and the Makgadikgadi Pans and on to the gateway of the Okavango Delta, Maun. From Maun it is a westward journey into Namibia and Windhoek, the capital. A chance to service vehicles and yourselves before heading into the desert and Sossusvlei. Skirting the Namib Desert southwards to Luderitz and then on to the Fish River Canyon.
You then head back into South Africa to Upington and then make a diagonal crossing of the country back to Durban. 6000km's with an 18 day time limit.
You will need to photograph your unique team identifier at the following places. The route chosen to get from point to point is entirely up to each team. The tasks have been chosen so that teams not competing for positional places can explore the vast number of places of interest en route.
Start -Durban
Task 1-Mkhuze Game Reserve
Task 2-Komatipoort
Task 3-Musina
Task 4-Pontdrif
Task 5-Francistown
Task 6-Nata
Task 7-Maun
Task 8-D'Kar
Task 9-Gobabis
Task 10-Windhoek
Task 11-Sesriem
Task 12-Aus
Task 13-Luderitz
Task 14-Hobas
Task 15-Upington
Finish-Durban
Here is a suggested route for those not concerned about time: Follow the links to see the possible attractions on this route.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Durban to Mkhuze Game Reserve - 308km. There is a campsite inside the reserve and with a 10am start to the event there should be time for game viewing on arrival or even early the following morning.
Day 2: Mkhuze to Crocodile Bridge camp in the Kruger National Park - 320km. Again a short day leaving time for game viewing on arrival. Strongly suggest a night drive with the National Park staff. Remember that all vehicles going through the Kruger National Park must obey the park rules, especially speed limits. Anyone bringing the event into disrepute will be disqualified and all signage removed from their vehicle! If you want to race then stick outside of the park!
Day 3: Crocodile Bridge camp to Letaba camp - 171km. A short drive if you go direct but suggest game viewing on the side roads.
Day 4: Letaba camp to Punda Maria camp - 175km. Another short drive leaving lots of time for game viewing and exploring the area.
Day 5: Punda Maria camp to Mapungubwe National Park - 322km. This day will take you through Musina to the World Heritage Site Mapungubwe in the Vhembe-Dongola Nature Reserve.
Day 6: Mapungubwe National Park to Nata - 578km. A big day crossing into Botswana at Pontdrif and then heading up to Nata via Francistown. Some remote driving on dirt roads.
Day 7: Nata - A day of rest and exploring the Sowa Pan which is part of the Makgadikgadi Pans.
Day 8: Nata to Maun - 363km. A easy drive to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. We normally camp at the Island Safari Lodge and teams can organize a flight over the delta or a mokoro trip into the delta if they wish.
Day 9: At rest in Maun. A chance to explore the delta.
Day 10: Maun to D'Kar - 250km. Complete the exploration of the delta and head westward to the small Bushmen village of D'Kar (finish point of the 2003 event). Here you can camp on their Dqae Qare Game Reserve.
Day 11: D'Kar to Windhoek - 658km. Another big day heading west to the capital city of Namibia. Camp at the Daan Viljoen Game Park just outside the city centre.
Day 12: A day of rest in Windhoek.
Day 13: Windhoek to Sesriem - 330km. Get your logistics right for this section. Heading towards the Namib Naukluft Park and the Namib Desert. Sesriem is the gateway to Sossusvlei and some of the highest sand dunes in the world!
Day 14: Sesriem to Luderitz - 519km. Heading south along the edge of the Namib Desert on remote dirt roads to Aus then west to the coastal town of Luderitz, deep into the Restricted Diamond Area 1.
Day 15: Luderitz to Hobas (Fish River Canyon) - 413km. Retrace part of yesterdays route and then continue east before swinging south to the Fish River Canyon
Day 16: Hobas to Kimberly - 816km. Time to get back to the finish
Day 17: Kimberly to Durban - 793km. Continue east an drop down the escarpment back into KwaZulu-Natal and head for the finish at Durban.
Rules:
1. Any air-cooled VW vehicle may enter. All vehicles will be inspected at Scrutineering by qualified personnel appointed by us.
1. All special tasks must be completed. These will be revealed at the Pre-Event briefing held the evening before the start.
3.Team Vehicles will have two (2) members, both of whom will be entitled to drive. Any team wishing to have more than two or less than two team members must obtain the sanction of our company.
4. Any vehicle displaying sponsorship logos must be sanctioned by us.
5. The first Team Vehicle back to Durban, which has complied with all the special tasks, wins the Marathon.
6. Team swapping may be allowed among vehicles not competing for first or second position, with the sanction of our company.
7. Any conduct by a team member which is, in the opinion of our company, contrary to the spirit of the event, or which could bring the event into disrepute, will entitle us to either issue a verbal warning to such team, or to disqualify such team with immediate effect. Should a team be so disqualified, all Marathon and sponsor signage shall be removed with immediate effect.
8. The interpretation and application of the Marathon rules are within the sole and final discretion of our company.
9. Our decisions are final.
This event is conducted using the Marathon Format
Modus Operandi:
Carry your own food, spares, and tools. Plan your own accommodation, visas, inoculations and insurance. Take your own route (completing all the special tasks!).
Our company will have a backup support vehicle following the teams in the event. It will be manned by mechanics and carry spares and tools to deal with roadside breakdowns etc. This service is aimed at the International Package but local teams may purchase spares and pay an agreed rate for mechanical services rendered by the backup support team. They will tow any vehicle that breaks down to the nearest town or safe place on which to work on the vehicle. Only one vehicle is allowed per team and it is at the sole discretion of our company to declare a vehicle un-repairable. In such a case the team members will be assisted to the nearest major town where they can make plans for the remainder of the journey.
The event will start at 10:00am on Saturday 7th July 2007 from the Durban beachfront
The Pre-Event briefing will be held the evening before the start. All the special tasks will be revealed. A unique team identifier will be issued to each team at the start. The special tasks will involve taking photographs of your unique team identifier at predetermined points. After the briefing there will be a cocktail party, which will be the ideal time to make friends and form convoys (for those not hell bent on speed).
Participants will have 18 days to complete the adventure. Tuesday 24th July 2007 at 15h00 is the official cut-off time!
At 19h30 the Awards Ceremony dinner will be held. In the spirit of amateurism we intend keeping prizes simple but precious!
The Africa Beetle Marathon Floating Trophy for the first team home.
The Stanley Cup for the runners up.
The Adventurers Trophy for the first international team home.
The Explorers Cup to the last team to make the cut off time.
Spirit of the Event - Horst Grossmann Memorial Trophy.
The Rose Bowl for the first all ladies team home.
The Zulu Assagai for the first all local team home.
Gold Medallions to all who finish within the cut off time.
Other fun prizes.
What we provide:
For All Teams:
Pre-Event Briefing
T-shirts/Caps and other event/sponsor merchandise
Marathon vehicle signage
Awards Ceremony Dinner & Prize Giving
Arrive and Drive Option (Vehicle Supplied):
This is an "arrive and drive" concept whereby you will be able to arrive in Durban and get into a fully safari prepared vehicle for the Marathon. Other costs will be food, petrol, park entrance and camping fees.
2 Nights Bed & Breakfast on Durban's Beachfront
Fully safari prepared VW Beetle including:
- 2 person hiking tent
- 2 mattresses
- 2 pillows
- 2 folding camp chairs
- 1 folding camp table
- 1 camping lantern
- First aid kit
- 1 camping stove
- Cutlery & Crockery
- Spares Pack & Toolkit
- 2 storage boxes
- 1 cooler box
- 1 map book
- 2 warning triangles
- A safe mounted on the floor behind the drivers seat
- A fire extinguisher
- A jack
- 1 spare tyre
- 2 roof mounted petrol jerry cans
- A roof rack bag for storage of some of the camping equipment.
Please Note: These entry fees include 14% VAT and international teams will be able to claim this back upon leaving South Africa.
Early payment discount of 10% will apply to your entry fee (not including the deposit amount) if full payment is received before 31 January 2007. A further 10% discount will be given for every team you introduce. So for example if either one of your team were to introduce 5 other teams to the event before 31 January 2007 you would get a 60% reduction in your team entry fee!
Entry fees are to be fully paid by the 1 April 2007.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Entrance Fees vary according to whether you have your own vehicle or not.
With Own Vehicle: R570 per person with a minimum of R1140 per vehicle.
Arrive and Drive Option: (Vehicle and equipment supplied): $1368 US per person plus $342 US per person refundable deposit. Entrants being supplied with a vehicle and equipment will need to sign a separate agreement relating to the use of the vehicle and the instances when the deposit may be forfeited.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
South Africa
Botswana
Namibia
Self Drive
Wildlife Viewing
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