Organiser
Skydata Events
Ride Information
Starting at Mantuma uMkhuze Game Reserve, through the Lebombo Mountains, exiting uMkhuze Game Reserve into Phinda, False Bay, Hluhluwe River Lodge, Bonamanzi, Nyalazi Flood Plains, Western Shores, ending in St Lucia.
This unique 4-day-stage, 260 km event, starting in the uMkhuze game reserve and ending in the seaside resort of St Lucia, allows Mountain Bikers access to areas within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, far off the normal tourist routes, allowing riders to experience the values this park has to offer. iSimangaliso is among the most diverse parks in the world with eight interlinking ecosystems, one of the highest bird counts in the country, incredible plant and game species biodiversity (all of the Big Five) and superlative natural beauty. The second day the route transits through Phinda Private Big 5 game reserve through the False Bay reserve and into Bonamanzi private reserve.
This is an amazing opportunity to experience and one that will never be forgotten.
The iSimangaliso MTB Event aims at raising awareness and funds towards the protection of rare and endangered species within this world heritage site. It will enable riders to experience the world heritage values for which iSimangaliso was inscribed - biodiversity, interlinking ecosystems and sense of place – using existing management tracks, animal paths, jeep tracks and secondary gravel roads.
All event entries, per teams of two sharing accommodation, include 4 Nights fully catered including the registration night.
Read more about the Accommodation choices see website http://www.isimangaliso-mtb.co.za/registration/accommodation & http://www.isimangaliso-mtb.co.za/enter/entry-fee-information
Registration will take place on the 16th of August 2017 from 13:00 to 17:30.
Venue
- Mantuma Camp uMkhuze Game Reserve
IMPORTANT NOTE: uMkhuze game reserve gates close at 18h00 no exceptions
Both riders must be present at registration and must sign the indemnity and medical information form
Attendance at the following briefings at Mantuma uMkhuze after registration are compulsory.
- Event Briefing 18h30
- Dangerous Game Briefing 19h00
- Dinner will be served from 17h00
Entry Fees broken down as follows:
Day 1
57 km 1043m ascent uMkhuze, Lebombo's, uMkhuze
Starting in the Big 5 uMkhuze game reserve at the Mantuma, riders warm their legs on a tar section before heading out the park through the eMshophi Gate and climb into the Lebombo mountains where the most exhilarating single track wind through this remote mountainous area. The strenuous climb is rewarded with a fast flowing easy single track descent to re-enter uMkhuze via the Dakela game management gate. Back in the reserve riders experience a mix of elephant and rhino track plus jeep track to the finish in Mantuma.
Day 2
95 km 418m ascent uMkhuze to Bonamanzi
From the Mantuma camp the route heads south on jeep and single tracks before a longish 12km section of flat bush rd., turning up and onto the UMkhumbi plateau, a rocky climb of 200m, from here the views to the sea and St Lucia come just before the transiting over the fence and into the Big5 reserve of Phinda. They have become masters at building single track heaven using a mix of natural game paths. This is 26km section of track all through Big 5 game country is possibly the favourite section for most riders. Crossing the Msinene floodplain, riders exit Phinda and enter the False bay section of the out iSimangaliso Wetland Park and ride along the lake shore and onto the Mphophomeni hiking trail exiting the False Bay reserve, entering the Hluhluwe River Lodge, where well know local Gavin Dickson will be waiting with a “high tea”. Riders cross the Hluhluwe river and begin the climb to the finish at the Bonamanzi Game Reserve.
Day 3
78 km 224m ascent Bonamanzi to St Lucia
Exiting from Bonamanzi across the Hluhluwe River onto the Nyalazi Flood plain with its 25km of single track criss-crossing the flat floodplains, here you will see the most the most incredible bird life as you head north to cross the Nyalazi River and into the Western Shores section of the iSimangaliso Wetlands. The first 10 km is a section of gum forest the only plantation riding throughout the route, this is what the terrain was before the transformation, and then marvel at the change as you ride past the pans, take in Arial boardwalk and see the views of open grasslands back-dropped by forested coastal dunes with possible sightings of elephant, rhino, hippo, buffalo, giraffe and numerous others.
Exit the Western Shores through the uDukuDuku gate onto tar and into the tourist town of St Lucia before riding single track through the iGwalgwala Forest and onto the finish at the Sugar Loaf Campsite.
Day 4
43 km 147m ascent St Lucia, Mission Rocks, St Lucia
From Sugar Loaf campsite the ride head out towards the beach along the Estuary boardwalk taking the beach route to the iPhiva pans and into the Eastern Shores section of the iSimangaliso. The route heads through marshes, grasslands and onto the remains of the old Cape Vidal Rd before climbing to Mission Rocks. Back through coastal dunes and forest and a short section in the St Lucia town, then into the iGwalaGwala hiking trail to finish at the St Lucia Sugar Loaf.
More information: www.isimangaliso-mtb.co.za/
This event supports team entries for certain classes, but teams must consist of 2 participants per team.
Event location
eMshophi camp uMkhuze Game Reserve, Mkuze
| Route information | |
| Coordinates | -27.651905, 32.2435 |
| Address | Mantuma Camp uMkhuze Game Reserve |
| City | Mkuze |
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
Registration Number: 2005/030697/23