Big Five Marathon

Arrive at Johannesburg International Airport (JNB) for your transfer to Entabeni Safari Conservancy

Transfer departure times from the airport are: 8:30am, 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm and 4:00pm. Depending on your arrival time you may need to arrive the day before to connect with one of the following transfers or book an individual transfer at an extra cost.

Upon arrival to Entabeni you will meet your tour leader and be checked in at your respective lodge/camp. Participants arriving on one of the first three transfers (departure from Johannesburg International Airport at 08:30, 10:00 & 12:00) will have the possibility to go on the first of several exciting game drives. The game drives will provide the opportunity to experience an authentic African safari in serene surroundings. The Entabeni Safari Conservancy offers diverse wildlife, open safari vehicles and relatively few tourists, creating an ideal wilderness atmosphere. (Dinner included).

Today is dedicated to exploring the game reserve through a game drive and/or a bush walk. We will get accustomed to the park’s geography, and climate, and we can slowly start preparing ourselves for Saturday’s exciting event: The Big Five Marathon.

The game drive is included in the itinerary and will take place either in the early morning or in the late afternoon. A bush walk with an experienced armed ranger is also included on the second day, giving us a chance to get really close to the nature and wildlife. Additional game drives and bush walks can be purchased on spot. Alternatively, some of your free time can also be used for shorter runs outside Entabeni – the tour leader will help organize the runs.

Please Note: June is winter time in South Africa and while the temperature often rises to 20-25 degrees Celsius (68 – 77 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, temperatures around 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) at night time is not unusual! Especially the large drop from day to night time temperatures makes the evenings and mornings feel extremely cold. It is therefore essential to bring a winter jacket, warm hat and gloves when going on game drives! Blankets are available in the jeeps for extra warmth.

Over the last few years, the reserve’s wildlife has become increasingly accustomed to tourists. It is therefore not uncommon to see elephants, giraffes and different species of antelopes grazing in close proximity to the safari vehicles. A pride of lions even occasionally holds up traffic, lying lazily across the track. We use open 4×4 safari vehicles, which provide us with an excellent opportunity for viewing the wildlife in safety. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

After breakfast all the participants are transported from their respective lodges/camp to the starting point of the marathon. Before we set off for the start line, there will be a short briefing about the route inspection. All safari vehicles follow the route in a convoy, allowing the participants to examine the different running surfaces, note the locations of water posts, and assess the overall difficulty of the route. After the route inspection a large buffet lunch will be served. This is the time where everyone is gathered – the participants, race officials, medical staff and rangers – for a formal introduction to the event, and a presentation of the practical issues surrounding the marathon. There are no scheduled game drives this day. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

It is race day! Today you will be met by a challenge that will be worth remembering: The Big Five Marathon. In the morning all participants will be transported from the various lodges and camps to the starting line in time for final preparations. The marathon is planned to start at 9:00am, but delays may occur, as the exact start time will be dependent on the location of the big five game – if too close to the route, the start will be postponed. There are no scheduled game drives this day. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

Today we have time to relax after running on the African savannah. Additional game drives and excursions can be purchased and, in the afternoon, we will experience yet another fantastic game drive followed by our post-marathon celebration. There will be great food, live entertainment, an award ceremony, a big bonfire and partying under the starry skies. Please be aware that the party takes place in a traditional South African boma with open roof and large open doorways. It is therefore advisable to dress warm! For the same reason there’s no dress code and casual clothing is recommended. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

On the final day at the Entabeni Private Game Reserve you will have one last game drive either in the morning or in the afternoon. Those interested will also get the opportunity to stretch their legs on one final bush walk. In the evening farewell dinners will be held at the respective lodges. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

Your tour will start and end at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport (JNB).  All participants will be transferred at set transfer times from the airport to the Zebra Nature Reserve.

Transfer departure times from the airport are 8:30am, 10:00am, 12:00pm and 2:00pm.  Depending on your arrival time you may need to arrive the day before to connect with one of the following transfers or book an individual transfer at an extra cost.

Participants arriving on one of the first three transfers (8:30am, 10:00am or 12:00pm) will enjoy a tour of Pretoria enroute before arriving at the Zebra Nature Reserve, which is set in 400 Hectares of free roaming non predatory animals.

After arrival at Zebra Nature Reserve, you will enjoy lunch before check-in.  In the afternoon there will be a guided nature walk ending at the reptile center where you will have the chance to learn about many of the endemic reptile species. (Lunch and dinner included).

Today we will visit South Africa’s most famous township Soweto and the administrative capital Pretoria. With a guide who was born and raised in Soweto you’ll hear personal insights into the culture of the township and learn about Soweto’s vibrant modern personality. During the visit in Soweto, we will also visit the Apartheid Museum and the Hector Pieterson Memorial. In Pretoria, your tour guide will show you the Voortrekker Monument and the Union Building (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

After breakfast we will drive three hours to Entabeni Game Reserve and Legend Safari Resort. In the afternoon we will go on the first of several exciting game drives in Entabeni, The game drives provide an opportunity to experience an authentic African safari in serene surroundings. Diverse wildlife viewing in open safari vehicles with knowledgeable park rangers and relatively few tourists, creates an ideal wilderness atmosphere. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

After breakfast, all guests are transported from their respective lodges/camp to the starting point of the marathon. Before we set off for the start line, there will be a short briefing about the route inspection. All safari vehicles follow the route in a convoy, allowing the participants to examine the different running surfaces, note the locations of water posts, and assess the overall difficulty of the route. After the route inspection a large buffet lunch will be served.

This is the time where everyone is gathered – the participants, race officials, medical staff and rangers – for a formal introduction to the event, and a presentation of the practical issues surrounding the marathon. There are no scheduled game drives today. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

It is race day! In the morning all guests will be transported from the various lodges and camps to the starting line in time for final preparations. The marathon is planned to start at 9:00 AM, however delays may occur, as the exact start time will be dependent on the location of the big five game – if too close to the route, the start will be postponed. There are no scheduled game drives today. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Today we have time to relax after running on the African savannah. Additional game drives and excursions can be purchased and, in the afternoon, we will experience yet another fantastic game drive followed by our post-marathon celebration. There will be great food, live entertainment, an award ceremony, a big bonfire, and partying under the starry skies. Please be aware that the party takes place in a traditional South African boma with open roof and large open doorways. It is therefore advisable to dress warm! There is no dress code and casual clothing is recommended. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

On the final day at the Entabeni Safari Conservancy, you will have one last game drive in the morning.  Those interested will also get the opportunity to stretch their legs on one final bush walk. In the evening farewell dinners will be held at the respective lodges.  (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)