The 2025 event will present once again a tough 45km ultra-marathon run, a flowing 21km half-marathon walk and run, and now a NEW addition of a 80km mountain bike cycle within the Timbavati wilderness. All tracks will journey through pristine Big 5 country and expose some of the hidden gems within the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
These “herds”/groups are kept exclusive to only 20 participants. This is for safety reason as well as a more exclusive experience for you to connect to the environment around you.
We must emphasize that this event is not a race but rather an activity where all “herds” get to experience an intimate connection with nature and exercise for a cause. Herds will run at split time intervals and run together to ensure the safety of each participant.
Safety is our priority. Support vehicles and armed guides will accompany participants during the full duration of the excursion and competent medical personnel will be on call & present at all times.
What’s included?
Participating in the Timbavati Traverse is a once in a lifetime experience which provides you with an exclusive experience through a world renowned nature reserve. During your excursion, you will be guided by qualified guides who aim to ensure your ultimate safety as well as provide an educational experience to the wonders of the African bush.
R15 000.00 per cyclist (Sale running till end-November at R12 000pc)
R10 000.00 per ultra-marathon runner
R 8 000.00 per half-marathon runner
R 8 000.00 per half-marathon walker
Your entry fee includes:
- Access to the exclusive and stunning setting of the beautiful and pristine Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in the heart of the Greater Kruger National Park.
- Conservation levy to enter into the reserve.
- Pre-event registration on the 08th August 2025 snacks and drinks when collecting goodie bags.
- Post-run event lunch with beverages for runners and a plus one. (All dietary requirements will be catered for.
- Goodie bag with some amazing items inside. Boasted as the best goodie bag received by participants!
- Full kit of branded Timbavati Traverse kit.
- A raffle ticket for the Timbavati Traverse runners raffle..
- Five-star snack platters as well as hydration points will be provided throughout the day while you are out on track on Saturday.
- Weekend ticket for the runner & his/her family into the world-class Graeme Naylor Museum.
The entry fee does NOT include:
- Accommodation. A contact list for accommodation establishments link can be found under the FAQs page.
- Other exercise activity apparel. A branded participant shirts and other gear will be provided. See under FAQs on what to pack. Other merchandise can be purchased at our store.
- Transport to start or from finish to accommodation. Parking is available at the event.
Families are welcome and will be able to join in on the festivities throughout the day at the Timbavati Headquarters. Unfortunately, no spectators will be allowed along the route for safety reasons.
While your family waits for your arrival, they will be entertained to the full. They will be given chance to explore the spectacular Timbavati’s Graeme Naylor Museum as well as be entertained by organised activities for the whole family throughout the day.
Route
The Timbavati Traverse routes expose beautiful tough rugged dirt track terrain which puts runners & walkers to the test. The routes highlight some of Timbavati’s unique features such as giant Baobabs and breathtaking mountain views but most of all showcase some exhilarating sightings of general plains game as well as some of the big five animals such as elephant, buffalo, lion and even leopard!
The 2025 event offers now four unique opportunities to either walk 21km, run 21km or 45km and now cycle 80km. These routes have been designed to not only challenge the participant but also expose the beauty of the Timbavati and its magic. Each route will have water points set up at every 7km for runners and walkers, every 25/30km for cyclists, which are fully catered for with energy-boosting snacks, water & energy drinks.
“It was great to meet so many other runners, also running as a group was really fun, it made it feel like you went really running in a way. I normally run alone or when I’m at home running there will be a maximum of 5 of us so running with this many people was a really different experience for me. I also really enjoyed the drink/snacks stops on route, this broke up the run nicely. The scenery was really nice and we saw a lot of general game, the experience with the Elephants was great and I also was one of the runners who saw the male Lion, although I think the Lion was just as surprised to see us as he was already running away as we ran in that direction.”
– Remember
How to get here
The event takes place from the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve’s headquarters. Travelers have two main ways of getting here either by car or by airplane.
Carriers – SA Airlink & Cemair
Read all about our event held in 2024 and its successes!
Basic itinerary
The itinerary for the day is subject to change, however runners and their families may plan around the one below.
Pre-event registration & collection of goodie bags from the Timbavati headquarters. Anytime between these times.
Ultra Runners start arriving & warm up
Half-marathon runners & walkers to arrive
Field Ranger parade
Timbavati Traverse 2024 Cycle Tour!
Timbavati Traverse 2024 Ultra Start!
Timbavati Traverse 2024 Half-M Walk Start!
Timbavati Traverse 2024 Half-M Run Start!
Graeme Naylor Museum – Self-Guided
21km runners to finish
Various activities
21km walkers to finish
Live music
45km runners & 80km cyclists to finish
Various activities
Prize giving and raffle draws
Lunch & festivities and closure.
* Food available from 08h00 till 15h00
“The Timbavati Traverse was filled with many unique features for me.
I liked the fact it was limited to a very small field, it enabled me to meet and run with every participant and created a very intimate and personal atmosphere. The fact that we all were running for a common purpose, conservation, also created the feeling of being a team.
The relaxed nature of the runners and the fact that it was also not a race created a unity amongst the participants, who could go out and run in the wild for the pure enjoyment of their love of running, passion for conservation and exhilaration of being in nature amongst it’s wild inhabitants. I enjoyed the comradery of the entire event, from the
pre- briefing the evening before, through the event and until the
music stopped and last beer was consumed at the post event.
It was a relaxed unique event in nature with the experience of
the bush and all it had to offer taking main stage, love, love,
loved it and can’t wait till next year.”
– Grant Murphy
FAQs
How should I train for this event?
Participants should try and train mainly on dirt roads and uneven terrain to prepare themselves for the run/walk/cycle.
What should my average pace be?
Runners entering into the ultra-marathon herd should be able to keep an average pace of 6:15 – 6:30mins per kilometer. Runners entering into the half-marathon herd should be able to keep an average pace of 6:15 – 6:30mins per kilometer. Walkers will need to maintain an average pace of 11min per kilometer. The walk is simulated as an active exercise walking pace and not a leisure walk. Cyclists entering into the 80km need to be able to maintain an average pace of between 16.5 – 18km/hr.
What safety measures are in place while I am out?
Armed guides will accompany the herds for safety as well as to share knowledge of the beautiful environment in which you will be running in. All guides are qualified and registered to guide with years of big five walking experience. Each herd has a back-up support vehicle with a medic.
What is the weather like during August in the Lowveld?
The weather during this time of the year starts with a bit of an icy chill (10-12 degrees Celsius) but is usually followed by the warming Lowveld sunshine to defrost the body. Note average day temperatures can peak at 31 degrees Celsius.
What should I pack?
Runners/walkers please make sure you pack running shoes that are suited for off road terrain. The rugged dirt roads will not do well with slick tar road running takkies!
For the early morning start be sure to have something warm. If you get hot, extra clothing can be loaded onto the support vehicle.
Is Timbavati a high Malaria risk area?
Do I need to run/ride with a hydration pack?
Cyclists are encouraged to ride with a hydration pack due to the long distance. Runners are welcome to run with one too if that is what you are used to, however we will have water points at every 5km/7km along the route with delicious treats and fresh drinking water and juice.
Is accommodation included in my entry?
Where do we stay?
The Timbavati has 18 all-inclusive lodges and 4 self catering options. Many of the lodges will be offering packages for this event specifically so be sure to follow the Timbavati Traverse facebook page to see who is.
If these lodges are above your budget, we have hand picked a few options in the Hoedspruit surroundings which you can contact to book your stay.