Comrades Marathon

On arrival at Durban King Shaka Airport (DUR) you will be met and transferred to the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban, which is approximately a 45-minute drive. The rest of the day is at your leisure.  Check-in is after 2:00pm. If you arrive earlier, you can leave your luggage with the hotel and begin to explore your surroundings. The hotel has a beautiful swimming pool and areas to relax and enjoy the sea views. Later today, we invite you to join your Marathon Tours & Travel team for an optional shake-out run.  It will acquaint you with the local area and help stretch your legs after your long day of travel.

After breakfast, depart the hotel at 9:00 AM for a half-day sightseeing tour of Durban and the beachfront area. Tentative stops include the Moses Mabhida Stadium, built for the Football World in 2010, the tranquil Durban Botanic Gardens, and the bustling Victoria Street Market, known for its fragrant spices and souvenirs. The tour is designed for a full experience of Durban, in comfort, without much walking. The tour will finish at the Comrades Marathon Expo. Lunch can be purchases at the Expo, after which we invite you to spend as much or as little time before your leisure non-guided walk back to the hotel (approx. 20 minutes). This evening, please join us for a Welcome Reception that will take place at the Southern Sun Elangeni Maharani Hotel or a venue close by.  (Breakfast and dinner included)

This morning we recommend you join the North Beach Park Run, a free organized community run that starts about 1 KM from our hotel and navigates a scenic, flat 5 KM loop along the beachfront. After breakfast, join us at 9:30 AM for our private Comrades Marathon Course Tour. The coach will include stops at Comrades House Museum in Pietermaritzburg, the Wall of Honour and Arthurs Seat; and gives runners valuable race insight as you preview the route you will run on Sunday. In the afternoon, your MTT Team will lead a stretch session prior to us gathering for the pre-race dinner at the Southern Sun Elangeni Maharani Hotel or a restaurant nearby. (Breakfast and dinner included)

Race Day! The day you have been training for is finally here!  Grab & Go breakfast will be available to runners. Starting at 4:00 AM our private transport will shuttle runners to the starting area in Durban, which is a 10-minute ride. The race finishes in Pietermaritzburg, where you will spend the night. (MTT will transport your overnight bag to the hotel). Upon finishing, please meet your MTT Hosts at a designated location by the finish line. Once at the hotel (approximately 5 miles from the finish line), the rest of the day is at your leisure to rest and recover. Spectators can choose to book an additional service to spectate along the route; travel with the MTT Hosts at 8:00 AM to Pietermaritzburg to meet your runner at the finish line and stay overnight; or stay in Durban and enjoy the day/evening on your own. (Breakfast included)

After breakfast, we will travel the one hour back to Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban. Join us at 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM with Bruce Fordyce, Comrades legend and nine times winner.  Expect live entertainment, a spectacular buffet lunch, sea views and the camaraderie of your other runners and travelers. Included is a glass of wine, beer or soft drink. A cash bar is available for additional purchases. (Breakfast and lunch buffet included)

On arrival at Durban King Shaka Airport (DUR) you will be met and transferred to the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban, which is approximately a 45-minute drive. The rest of the day is at your leisure.  Check-in is after 2:00pm. If you arrive earlier, you can leave your luggage with the hotel and begin to explore your surroundings. The hotel has a beautiful swimming pool and areas to relax and enjoy the sea views. Later today, we invite you to join your Marathon Tours & Travel team for an optional shake-out run.  It will acquaint you with the local area and help stretch your legs after your long day of travel.

After breakfast, depart the hotel at 9:00 AM for a half-day sightseeing tour of Durban and the beachfront area. Tentative stops include the Moses Mabhida Stadium, built for the Football World in 2010, the tranquil Durban Botanic Gardens, and the bustling Victoria Street Market, known for its fragrant spices and souvenirs. The tour is designed for a full experience of Durban, in comfort, without much walking. The tour will finish at the Comrades Marathon Expo. Lunch can be purchases at the Expo, after which we invite you to spend as much or as little time before your leisure non-guided walk back to the hotel (approx. 20 minutes). This evening, please join us for a Welcome Reception that will take place at the Southern Sun Elangeni Maharani Hotel or a venue close by.  (Breakfast and dinner included)

This morning we recommend you join the North Beach Park Run, a free organized community run that starts about 1 KM from our hotel and navigates a scenic, flat 5 KM loop along the beachfront. After breakfast, join us at 9:30 AM for our private Comrades Marathon Course Tour. The coach will include stops at Comrades House Museum in Pietermaritzburg, the Wall of Honour and Arthurs Seat; and gives runners valuable race insight as you preview the route you will run on Sunday. In the afternoon, your MTT Team will lead a stretch session prior to us gathering for the pre-race dinner at the Southern Sun Elangeni Maharani Hotel or a restaurant nearby. (Breakfast and dinner included)

Race Day! The day you have been training for is finally here! Grab & Go Breakfast will be available. Starting from 4:00 AM our private transport will shuttle runners to the starting area in Durban. This a 10-minute journey with guidance from our team to ensure you arrive in your starting corral in good time and without travel stress. The Comrades Marathon finishes in Pietermaritzburg. After finishing the race, meet Marathon Tours & Travel team at the designated location (TBD), we will look after you until you leave. Your transfer back to Durban will take approximately 2 hours, take this time to rest and hydrate. Durban is approx. 48 miles (77km) distance from the finish at Scottsville Racecourse, so if you prefer a shorter transfer post race then please book our COMBO package instead. We understand how tired you will feel after a long time on your feet, meals can be purchased at one of the restaurants or take the opportunity to order meals for delivery! Relax, you deserve it. We understand that family and friends that are not running want to also share the excitement. We can suggest a service (at additional cost) that takes people to spectate on the route. (Breakfast included)

Enjoy a leisure breakfast and morning on your own. Join us at 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM with Bruce Fordyce, Comrades legend and nine times winner.  Expect live entertainment, a spectacular buffet lunch, sea views and the camaraderie of your other runners and travelers. Included is a glass of wine, beer or soft drink. A cash bar is available for additional purchases. (Breakfast and lunch buffet included)

After breakfast, we will depart from the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban to Thanda Private Game Reserve. The group transfer will be an approximately 3-and-a-half hour drive along the Indian Ocean. After arriving to your suite or experiential non electrified / solar powered luxury tent, you will depart for your first game drive (approx. 4:00 PM) in four-wheel Land Rovers. An early morning or late afternoon safari is the best time to look for the Big Five. With 14,000 hectares to explore and led by experts of the African bush, you’ll see an incredible range of animals, including cheetahs, hyaenas, giraffes, warthogs and abundant bird and plant life. (Lunch and dinner included)

Today is an early morning wake-up (6:00 AM) with coffee available before departing for your morning game drive.  This is a great time to view many animals visiting the water holes and/or predators hunting for its day food.  We will return around 9:00 AM for breakfast and spend the balance of the day relaxing, going on bush walks, and/or enjoying optional activities that you can book on site.  We will head out for our last game drive at 4:00 PM and return for dinner.  (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

After an early breakfast, we will depart from Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban to Durban King Shaka Airport. After arriving you will check in and board your flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your vehicle for a tour of Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, also known as Jacaranda City. Interesting sites visited on the tour are the Voortrekker Museum, Kruger House, Church Square, Unions Buildings and passing by the President’s office. Lunch will be enjoyed at one of the local restaurants before we continue to Court Classique Suite Hotel. After room check in you can relax and freshen up before meeting for dinner. (Lunch and Dinner included)

After breakfast, we will depart from Court Classique Suite Hotel to Johannesburg Airport (journey time approx. 40 minutes). After arriving you will check in and board your flight to Victoria Falls. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the Victoria Falls Hotel (journey time approx. 20 minutes). At 3:45 PM we invite you to enjoy a sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River. The Zambezi Sunset cruise is a superb way to relax and enjoy the spectacular beauty of the Zambezi River. There are great photo opportunities against often-spectacular African sunsets. Flocks of birds skim the waterline as the sun sets behind the African skyline. Clients may have the opportunity to see a variety of game; including hippo, crocodile, and elephant as well as enjoy the many different bird species. The Sunset Cruise is very popular and includes finger snacks, beer, wine, local spirits and soft drinks. Dinner for own arrangements. (Breakfast and Sundowner Cruise included)

After breakfast, this morning enjoy a Guided Tour of the Falls on the Zimbabwe side. It’s a truly awe-inspiring experience – the sight, the sound, the smell; the humbling feeling that here indeed is nature’s supreme masterpiece. No photograph can begin to depict the reality…and nothing prepares you for your first sight. The Victoria Falls, now in its 150 millionth year, reaches its zenith in about May each year. En-route, you may be taken past the ‘Big Tree’ where they may stop and take photos. Accompanied through the rainforest by one of the qualified guides who will give a brief history of the falls themselves as well as detailing the flora, fauna, bird & wildlife and other points of interest. Guides are also happy to assist clients with photographs whilst visiting this most spectacular of waterfalls. Raincoats are provided when needed. (Breakfast included)

After an early breakfast, we will depart from Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban to Durban King Shaka Airport. After arriving you will check in and board your flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your vehicle for a tour of Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, also known as Jacaranda City. Interesting sites visited on the tour are the Voortrekker Museum, Kruger House, Church Square, Unions Buildings and passing by the President’s office. Lunch will be enjoyed at one of the local restaurants before we continue to Court Classique Suite Hotel. After room check in you can relax and freshen up before meeting for dinner. (Lunch and Dinner included)

After breakfast, please follow standard check out procedures before meeting our representative in the hotel foyer. 8:30 AM – Depart the hotel for Cradle of Humankind. The Cradle of Humankind, one of eight World Heritage Sites in South Africa, and the only one in Gauteng, is renowned as the place where humankind originated. It is here that the first hominid, Australopithecus, was found in 1924 at Taung in the North West Province by Professor Raymond Dart of the University of the Witwatersrand, and is one of the major tourist attractions in South Africa. The Cradle of Humankind area boasts 13 excavation sites that are recognized as national heritage sites, both internationally and by the South African Heritage Resources Agency. Lunch to be enjoyed at a local restaurant, before being transferred to Rovos Rail Station to be in time for the onward journey. 6:00 PM – Depart Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. You may wish to freshen up in your suite before joining fellow travellers in the lounge car or observation car at the rear of the train. Travel through Warmbaths (Bela-Bela) – so named for its mineral waters – and Nylstroom (Modimolle), christened by the Voortrekkers as the source of the Nile River as the town’s river happened to be north flowing. Pass the edge of the escarpment where the Highveld drops precipitously. 8:00 PM – Dinner is served in the dining cars enroute to Polokwane. Dress: Formal. Please ensure the Train Manager or Administration Deputy is in possession of your passport. (Fully inclusive- all meals and drinks (excluding champagne) included)

7:00 AM – Breakfast is served in the dining cars. The train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn enroute to Louis Trichardt. 1:00 PM – Lunch is served in the dining cars. Border formalities with South Africa. 4:30 PM – Tea in the lounge and observation cars. The train crosses the Limpopo River en route to Beitbridge for border formalities with Zimbabwe. In Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories, the ‘Elephant’s Child’ departs his family for the “great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever-trees, to find out what the Crocodile has for dinner.” 7:30 PM – Dinner is served in the dining cars enroute to Gwanda. Dress: Formal (Fully inclusive- all meals and drinks (excluding champagne) included)

6:00 AM – Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:00. The train travels baobab country and ascends to Bulawayo: second city of Zimbabwe, capital of Matabeleland and industrial capital of the country. 12:00 PM – Lunch is served in the dining cars. 1:30 PM – Transfer (±45 min) to Matobo National Park to see bushmen caves, rock art and the grave of Cecil John Rhodes. 6:00 PM – Depart for Sawmills. 7:30 PM – Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal. (Fully inclusive- all meals and drinks (excluding champagne) included)

7:00 AM – Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. The train travels between Gwaai and Dete along one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114 kilometres – and along the eastern edge of Hwange Park. 1:00 PM – Lunch is served in the dining cars. 3:00 PM – Enjoy a game drive in Hwange National Park, the nation’s largest wildlife area at 1,462,000 hectares. 7:30 PM – Dinner is served in the dining cars en-route to Thompsons Junction. Dress: Formal. (Fully inclusive- all meals and drinks (excluding champagne) included)

Please ensure your luggage is ready for collection 15 minutes before departing and that you have your passport. 7:00 AM – Breakfast until 09:30. The observation car will be leading the train – a different aspect that our rail enthusiasts enjoy. 10:00 AM – Arrive at journey’s end at the incomparable Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. You will be met off the train and assisted to the hotel. 3:45 PM – Enjoy a Sundowner Cruise on the Zambezi River. The Zambezi Sunset cruise is a superb way to relax and enjoy the spectacular beauty of the Zambezi River. There are great photo opportunities against often-spectacular African sunsets. Flocks of birds skim the waterline as the sun sets behind the African skyline. Clients may have the opportunity to see a variety of game; including hippo, crocodile, and elephant as well as enjoy the many different bird species. The Sunset Cruise is very popular and includes finger snacks, beer, wine, local spirits and soft drinks. Dinner for own arrangements. (Breakfast and Sundowner Cruise included)

 After breakfast, this morning enjoy a Guided Tour of the Falls on the Zimbabwe side. It’s a truly awe-inspiring experience – the sight, the sound, the smell; the humbling feeling that here indeed is nature’s supreme masterpiece. No photograph can begin to depict the reality…and nothing prepares you for your first sight. The Victoria Falls, now in its 150 millionth year, reaches its zenith in about May each year. En-route, you may be taken past the ‘Big Tree’ where they may stop and take photos. Accompanied through the Rainforest by one of the qualified Guides who will give a brief history of the Falls themselves as well as detailing the flora, fauna, bird & wildlife and other points of interest. Guides are also happy to assist clients with photographs whilst visiting this most spectacular of waterfalls. Raincoats are provided when needed. (Breakfast included)

We recommend flying from Victoria Falls Airport so that you can connect with your international flight home. Please follow standard check out procedures before meeting our representative in the hotel foyer who can assist you with transport to the airport (journey time approx. 20 minutes). (Breakfast included)

NOTES: Extensions are guided by Marathon Tours & Travel staff based on a minimum number of sales. A local guide will look after at key times and MTT staff are available by phone if sales do not reach a minimum number.  Please refer to last day of itinerary for flight recommendations.  Families with children are welcome.

Itineraries are subject to change.