Expedition Africa lite 2026
200km adventure race
18 - 22 March 2026
Drakensberg - Kwazulu-Natal
MTB
Trekking
Kayaking
Ropework
Navigation
Expedition Africa is Going Back to the Berg!
The Drakensberg will host the return of Expedition Africa to South Africa. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the highest mountain range in South Africa. It is locally known as uKhahlamba (Barrier of Spears) and is renowned for it’s rugged cliffs and deep valleys. These mountains are steeped in Myth and Legend and have inspired many of South Africa’s greatest stories. It is time for you and your team to write yours!
- Longest Running Expedition Race Series in Africa (ARWS member for 12 years)
- 2 – 3 days of the untamed Berg
- Experience the majestic Tugela Falls – Tallest waterfall in the world
- Try and find the elusive Bearded Vulture (Lammergier) as you travel on foot, by bike and on the African rivers.
- The BERG is wating for you! Enter Today
Event Information
Teams
Event Schedule
PROVISIONAL PLANNING
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18 March 2026Teams Arrive at Race Start – VENUE DISCLOSED IN YOUR ENTRY CONFIRMATION – 4-5 hours drive from Johannesburg
Registration & Gear Checks – 16:00 – 18:00
Race Briefing – 18:00 to 19:00
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Race Schedule19 March 2026 – Race Starts 04:30
20 March 2026 – First Finishers
21 March 2026 – 12:00 pm Course Closes
21 March – Closing Ceremony
22 March 2026 – Teams depart including buses to OR Tambo (bus departures will be planned based on flight details)
23 March 2026 – Sign up for next Expedition Africa Adventure Race
Why the Drakensberg?
The Magic of the Berg
The largest mountain range in South Africa, a truly magical place. It is no wonder that J.R.R. Tolkien saw in this landscape his inspiration for the tales of Middle-earth called The Misty Mountains. The uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park is home to 35,000 picturesque works of the St. Rock people and a huge diversity of protected animal and plant species.
South Africa is rich in mountains; however, the long KwaZulu-Natal escarpment of the Dragon Mountains is by far the most impressive. With peaks exceeding 3000m, the Berg, as locals like to call it, forms the backbone of the Maloti-Drakensberg Transboundary Development and Conservation Area between the Kingdom of Lesotho and South Africa.
Ukhahlamba (“Barrier of the Spears” in Zulu) is a wonderful dynamic country with river valleys, mountain streams, jagged cliffs, trails and stunning scenery that attract thousands of tourists every year, especially during the hottest summer months, from December to February.
Find out more: Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa – the barrier of spears (ZA)
Want to extend your trip and explore the area? Check out: Best Drakensberg accommodation, activities & adventures
Drakensberg Experience (Source: YouTube and the Drakensberg Experience)https://www.drakensbergexperience.com/
Official Partners
Distance, Route, Transitions & Disciplines
Distance and Route
- Route is linear, and teams need to pass through all control points (CP) in order and transitions (T).
- There may be legs where controls can be collected in any order. These will be identified in the route book.
- Teams who miss any CPs or transition areas will be ranked behind teams who visit all control points and transitions.
- Winning team 2 to 3 days.
- Total distance: approximately 200 km. Exact distance to be determined once route scouting is completed
- Mountain biking 60 %
- Trekking 30 %
- Kayaking 10 %
- ROUTE BOOK, LOGISTICAL PLANNER AND ROUTE FLOW CHART WILL BE RELEASED BEFORE EVENT with distances of individual legs.
- All teams will be able to finish before Saturday night awards ceremony.
Transitions
- Transition facilities, such as, medical staff, toilets, drinking water, hot water, electricity, restaurant and/or sleeping facilities are indicated in the leg summary section of the Route Book.
- Teams will place refuse bags in their re-supply boxes. At transitions teams must place all litter in team refuse bags; keep refuse bags in re-supply-box until end of event.
- There will be a cycle repair facility at one transition, at approximately halfway in route. This can be booked in advance to ensure you have a slot.
DISCIPLINES
- Mountain biking – teams should be prepared for a range of riding including single track, steep hills, gravel roads and sealed roads.
- Trekking – will involve traveling by foot through rugged and diverse terrain.
- Kayaking – each team will receive 2 * double Fluid kayaks https://www.fluidkayaks.com/product/synergy-kayak/ NO SAILS ALLOWED
- Orienteering – orienteering is an extremely important part of the race. The course is not marked and teams are required to navigate using maps.
- Ropework – teams will abseil and do related rope work activities to reach part of the route.
Bike Shop Partner, Bike boxes & Re-supply boxes
Cycle Shop Partner
- The official cycle partner is Mountain Splendour Cycles
- Please contact them for any cycle related questions and/or if you require any spares or cycling related products: cycles@mountainsplendour.co.za
- They will be on route for emergency repairs and also based at an selected transition (middle of route) where you can pre-book a cycle service with them at registration.
Bike Boxes
- Not required unless Exp Africa is doing your logistics
RE-SUPPLY BOXES
- Not required
ARWS - Adventure Racing World Series
What is the ARWS?
- The Adventure Racing World Series was formed in 2001— 24 years in existence.
- ARWS is the biggest and longest running Adventure Racing Series.
- Each ARWS race is organised by enthusiasts who commit their life and time to the success of their event.
- Each race has a different character thanks to the varied locations and each organiser’s ideas and personality.
- 25 World Championship Qualifiers from all over the world, many presented for 10 years or more.
- 60+ races in 6 Regional Series: Europe, Oceania, Africa, South America, Asia and North America.
A World Championship is selected from Qualifier events each year. - This year’s ARWC will be the 21st and the Championship has been held on 5 continents.
- A comprehensive, international World Ranking system is in place for regional and qualifier races.
- Over 3400 teams from more than 40 countries have been included in the ARWS rankings.
- Internationally accepted Rules and Regulations system officiated and updated by ARWS
- International referees.
- ARWS Hall of Fame membership awarded to the heroes of our sport at each Adventure Racing World Championship.
- The first International Adventure Racing Conference (IARC) was hosted in 2023 and will continue at the ARWC2025 in Canada.
- The first ARWS Youth World Championship will be hosted in 2026 to support the next generation of adventure racers.
