MTB Events in KZN BIG Five Reserves

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Toko
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MTB Events in KZN BIG Five Reserves

Post by Toko »

Welcome to the iSimangaliso MTB 4 Day

We take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in the iSimangaliso MTB 4 Day. A four day timed Mountain Bike ride through a World Heritage Site, the inaugural event planned for August 2013.

The aim is to raise funds for conservation, community development and to enable participants to actively experience iSimangaliso, South Africa's first natural world heritage site. The name iSimangaliso means miracle and wonder, which aptly describes this unique place.

The growth of "sports tourism" within the sport of mountain biking has seen the development of an ever increasing number of multi day events and in KZN the two major events are not just fully subscribed, they have waiting lists.
The development of a new multi-day event is creating excitement in the mountain biking circles stemming from, first, a new event to absorb the current overflow, and secondly and even more excitingly, a ride through a World Heritage Site which in itself is a privilege.

The route follows the animals' historic migratory paths from the Lebombo Mountains to the coastal plains starting from uMkhuze Game Reserve and ending on the coast at the Lake St Lucia Estuary mouth. The first day takes the riders through iSimangaliso's uMkhuze Game Reserve, up into the Lebombo mountain range and back to Mantuma Camp. Day two the riders head south before climbing up into the Lebombo mountain range and before reaching the Kube Yeni fence line head over the plateau down to isimangaliso’s uMkhube gate, through Phinda, linking up with False Bay and into the Big 5 Reserve of Bonamanzi for the overnight stop. Day three leaves Bonamanzi over the Hluhluwe river and crosses the Nyalazi floodplain before heading into new sections of iSimangaliso’s Western shores exiting at the uDukuDuku gate and finishing in the tourist town of St Lucia, ending at the Lake St Lucia Estuary. The last day through the Eastern Shores heads towards Cape Vidal in a circular route past and through lakes, pans, coastal dune forest and grasslands ending at the St Lucia Ski boat club for the prize giving.

Encounters with elephant, rhino, hippo and other potentially dangerous wildlife are a real possibility and this safety aspect is covered extensively in a "dangerous game" briefing document attached hereunder. Daily race briefings will reiterate the precautions and there will be staff, honorary rangers and marshals at key areas en route. Participation is however entirely voluntary and participants may withdraw at any time.

The iSimangaliso MTB 4 Day is the perfect "Sports Adventure Tourism" event, allowing riders to experience the 332 000 hectare iSimangaliso Wetland Park containing three major lake systems, 8 interlinking ecosystems, most of south Africa's remaining swamp forest and the re-introduced species of elephant, wild dog, cheetah, oribi, black and white rhino, and buffalo, and allows partners and spectators the opportunity to take advantage of the many nearby game reserves, the resort village of St Lucia and the numerous game resorts this area of Zululand is renowned for.


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Toko
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Re: iSimangaliso MTB Event

Post by Toko »

0*\ 0*\ 0*\

Mkuze is were there have been some incidents with crazy elephant bulls and black rhino - perfect terrain for bikers 0' 0' 0'

Hippo might be not amused, either :O^


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Toko
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iMfolozi MTB Challenge

Post by Toko »

iMfolozi MTB Challenge

General Race Information:

Event Date: Saturday, 27 July 2013
Registration: Friday, 26 July 2013
Entries for 2012 riders open 27 March 2013 @ 10h00
Entries for NEW riders open 17 April 2013 @ 10h00
Distance: 55km of awesome MTB riding!
Venue: iMfolozi Game Reserve, KZN
Province: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
This is no ordinary Challenge and is definitely not for the fainthearted!

The Bonitas Radox iMfolozi MTB Challenge is an exciting and gruelling mountain bike challenge that runs its course through the iMfolozi Game Reserve, home of the Big Five and the African Wild Dog. The Challenge will celebrate the running of its 9th event in 2013, and looks set to remain a highlight on the mountain bike calendar. With a limited entry field once again, this event must rank as one of the most sought-after entry events in SA. The iMfolozi MTB Challenge forms part of the Wildlands Conservation Trust’s pledge to save the Wild Dogs of iMfolozi. Sadly, there are fewer than 5 000 African Wild Dogs left in the African wild today. Threatened by habitat loss, snaring, poisoning and disease spread by domestic dogs, the “painted wolf” is now endangered. By participating in this amazing challenge, you directly contribute to the conservation of this beautiful protected species.

Once again, entrants from the 2012 iMfolozi event will be given a 2-week entry preference over new riders wanting to take part in the event. The accommodation bookings for the event will also open at the same time as the entries, and will operate on a “first mail, first allocation” system, based on the date and time received. Check out the online entry page for more information and applicable dates.

Not only does the race weekend promise a breathtaking experience in the arid Zululand bush, but participants, family and friends will get a chance to socialise on the Saturday evening. Accommodation for the event includes campsites within iMfolozi at the field near the Centenary Centre, as well as self-catering chalets, bush lodges, rest huts and safari tents.



ROUTE INFO
The Challenge starts near the western boundary of iMfolozi Game Reserve, just south of Cengeni gate in the Mbhuzane section of the park. The route heads south along a management Jeep track, which is not open to tourist vehicles. The first few kilometres are mainly downhill towards the White iMfolozi River, with some patches of soft sand as you get closer to the river. Cyclists cross the river at Nqolothi, into the Makhamisa section of the park.

The management track then runs adjacent to the southern boundary fence and crosses a few smallish river courses (mainly dry in winter). The route then starts climbing fairly sharply to the top of Ndleke. Passing Ndleke, there is a short flattish bit with stunning views over the wilderness and the White iMfolozi River, which make you quickly forget the pain from the climb you have just completed. Enjoy the view while you can, because the descent down Mduba will require all your concentration! There are some steep sections with lots of loose rocks, so take care.

After Mduba it is relatively flat to the turn-off to Makhamisa outpost. The jeep track then continues in a northerly direction with some gentle ups and downs, and takes you once again to the White iMfolozi River. This area is called iSiyembeni, and is where the White and Black iMfolozi Rivers join. Cyclists cross both rivers into the Masinda section, and then start the ascent to Mambeni. The Jeep track repeatedly crosses the Mcacazo River and seems like it’s not going to end, but eventually it does! At Mambeni, you join a tar road for the final couple of kilometres to the finish, which is near the Game Capture complex and Centenary Centre.


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