Victoria Falls Mountain Bike Challenge 14 -16 June 2012
This tough 3-day event is going into its third year and operated by the same Victoria Falls Marathon, Zambezi-Man multi-event, and the Kilimanjaro Marathon. The Vic Falls Mtb Challenge have various travel packages one of which is highlighted below.
Mountain Biking through some of the most scenic places in Africa, jam-packed with game, has to be one of the most exciting events you can do, testing your skills against the terrain and keeping your senses sharpened for any encounters with the local wildlife ! It’s a unique event, with nights being spent in comfortable hotels – but days are tough and challenging.
This the Event comprises of a combination of single track, rural roads and a small amount of tar (near the hotels). Note that most of these areas are not generally accessible to the public and as such are unique to this event.
The event is fully backed up, marshalled, and controlled to world standards.
Whilst the Victoria Falls Mountain Bike race is a challenge for the fast, competitive riders, it is also a great event for social riders. Well spaced refreshment points along the way, good marshalling and sweep bikes and cars, as well as some spectacular, un-ridden sections will allow riders some great views of one of Zimbabwe’s most scenic areas.
TRAVEL PACKAGES for South African Residents
Day 1 13 June 2012 | On arrival at Vic Falls airport, you will be met and transferred to the town of Victoria Falls to choice of hotel (see list below). Mountain Bike Challenge registration formalities to be completed on arrival. Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis here for 3 nights. | ||||||||||||
Day 2 14 June 2012 | All bikes will be transported to the Kazungula Border post between Zimbabwe and Botswana. All participant will be transferred to the starting point in luxury Buses.The ride starts at the Kazungula border post and the route follows the Zambezi river, going through the beautiful Matetsi safari area then through the Zambezi National Park. This ride is through some of the wildest areas in this region and again safety is of concern, riders will all be given a full briefing and the route will be protected by armed game rangers.The ride ends at the Kingdom Hotel. Ride distance will be approx- 70KMOvernight including dinner. (Dinner venue to be advised) | ||||||||||||
Day 3 15 June 2012 | Ride again departs from the Kingdom Hotel and heads out of Vic Falls in a different direction, going away from the river into a private concession, the area through which the cyclists go today will have some game viewing opportunities and cyclists will be fully briefed of the associated dangers at the dinner the night before.The ride goes along some secondary roads and then into a private Safari area, before then riding through some communal land coming out into the Vic Falls Private Game reserve and with the final legs going through some Forestry and National parks before ending at the Kingdom Hotel.Distance of this Ride will be approximately 90KMOvernight inclusive of dinner. (Dinner venue to be advised) | ||||||||||||
Day 4 16 June 2012 | Riders will depart from the Kingdom Hotel at 06h30, and will cycle out of Vic Falls through the Forestry concession, which consists of teak forests and some Kalahari sand to get the legs going, riders then carry on into the communal areas using mainly secondary roads and then back through the Victoria Falls National Park on single Track which will follow along the edge of the incredible Batoka Gorge, through which the Zambezi runs and where the world greatest one day’s white water rafting trip is operated. Contact Vanessa@wildfrontiers.comViews from this ride are spectacular and riders will want to stop and take some pictures. The finish is at the Kingdom Hotel.Distance of this Ride will be approximately 82KMGala dinner and prize giving tonight. (Dinner venue to be advised) | ||||||||||||
Day 5 17 June 2012 | Transferred to the airport for your outward flight. | ||||||||||||
Rider Package Includes: |
| ||||||||||||
Prices include: | Return airport transfers 4 Nights accommodation Daily breakfast 3 Dinners Race entry for riders All race route marshalling, security and timing GPS downloadable race route Race route marking and maps T-shirt and medal Refreshment stations en-route All park and concession fees and permissions Armed guards in game areas Bike storage and security at your base hotel Bike washing area Services of bike mechanics at hotel (own cost if used)Note– this race route travels in areas not usually open to the public or MTB, and in National Parks, so will be in unique, un-ridden areas. | ||||||||||||
Prices exclude: | Flight, airline/airport taxes, visas (if applicable), travel insurance, health requirements, additional activities, drinks, additional meals, all items of a personal nature and any service not specified. | ||||||||||||
NOTE ON FLIGHTS: | Luggage limit is normally 20kg per person including sporting equipment Excess luggage is charged for kg thereafter Sporting allowance may be applied for | ||||||||||||
Packing your bike: | * Your bike must be packed in a cardboard box or bicycle bag * Handle bars must be turned sideways * Peddles must be turned inwards * All electronic equipment, timers etc. must be removed * Tyres must be slightly deflatedThe above package prices are based on SA and Namibian Resident rates.Other accommodation facilities are also available, please enquire for more options. Should you be interested in any other areas than below extension options, i.e. to Chobe, Hwange etc, please enquire for a tailor made itinerary | ||||||||||||
Optional Extras that you could do if you add-on a few days: | Activity Rafting (full day) Canoeing (half day) Rafting (half day) Canoeing (full day) Gorge Activity – Zip Line Lion encounter Gorge Activity – Gorge swing Elephant back safari Gorge Activity – Abseil Elephant interaction Gorge Activity – Flying Fox Helicopter flight – 15 minNB: Additional activities to be booked & paid for prior to arrival in Victoria Falls. | ||||||||||||
Note on Prices: | ALL PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO AIRFARE INCREASES OR ANY OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCE | ||||||||||||
Additional Info | Zimbabwe Visas These are issued free of charge to South African passport holders at the border/airport on arrival. Other nationalities, please check.Zambia Visas South African passport holders do not require visas. All foreign passport holders please enquire at this office or from the High Commission. Please note double or single entry to Zimbabwe when you are obtaining a visa.Health Requirements It is strongly recommended that malaria prophylactics be taken during and after your visit to Zimbabwe / Zambia. Precautions against other tropical diseases should be taken – consult a travel medical specialist – Contact Netcare for an update: www.travelclinics.co.zaWater We recommend bottled water or previously boiled water, or check with your hotel management.Money You can pay in cash with USD, Pounds or ZAR. Hotels in Zimbabwe accept credit card transactions (mostly Mastercard). Clothing CAMOUFLAGE-patterned clothing is not permitted in Zimbabwe, says the Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg. Although the ruling is not directly on camouflage clothing, says Ndaipaneyi Mukwena from the Johannesburg office of Zimbabwe Tourism, it applies to any clothing that could be construed as mimicking military-wear. Tourists are urged not to wear, or even carry, any military-inspired clothing while travelling in Zimbabwe. |