Inaugural Marakele MTB Challenge and Marakele Mountain Bike Trail Launched

South African National Parks together with the SANParks Honorary Rangers hosted the first-ever, Marakele MTB Challenge on Saturday 25 May 2024 at the scenic Marakele National Park outside Thabazimbi in Limpopo. Marakele National Park is a Big 5 park.
The Marakele MTB Race is a unique mountain bike event which takes place inside the park and aims to bring together both the ordinary members of the public as well as the professional mountain bike community of South Africa to have fun and take a ‘ride on the wild side.’ The challenge aims to highlight the importance of conservation and the various fundraising and tourism initiatives that are key to the functioning of a national park:

The marathon had over 200 participants from Limpopo and Gauteng. Entries for next year are expected to open in September 2024. The Marakele MTB Challenge offers cyclists the option of a 10km, 20km, 40km and 70km ride. Parts of the 70km and 40km routes go through the Big 5 area of the park. The routes through the park are manned by the SANParks rangers and Honorary Rangers top ensure guest and wildlife safety.

As part of the event, SANParks launched the new 6km Walking Trail and Mountain Bike Trails, sponsored by ArcelorMittal Thabazimbi Iron Ore Mine. There are 3 different accreditation trails (8km Green MTB, 15km Blue MTB and 20km Black MTB) The trails are guided and guests wishing to book a spot on any of the trails can book at Reception.