We Value Your Privacy
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalised ads or content, and analyse our traffic. By clicking 'Allow All', you consent to our use of cookies. For further details, please see our cookies policy.
Are you looking to add something truly unforgettable to your Bucket List?
Hot on the heels of our exceptionally popular Trans Andean Coast to Coast, our newest cycling challenge – Trans Africa Coast to Coast is now ready to roll in June 2026.
This breath-taking route takes riders coast to coast across Africa, spanning 4 countries and an extraordinary variety of landscapes including gravel roads, tarmac, mountains, plains, desert, savannah, and game parks, all wrapped in a wonderfully warm African welcome. From the wild waves of the Atlantic on the coast of Namibia to the shimmering shores of the Indian Ocean in South Africa, this journey sees our #ratracers cycle over 3,000km across four countries on a truly continent-crossing adventure.
In 2023, our Expeditions Manager Abbi travelled to Africa to recce the route and design an unforgettable expedition spanning this vast and diverse landscape. In June 2024, a team of hardy Test Pilots headed out to route-check the adventure, helping to refine what is now ready to welcome riders on the start line in June 2026.
"This route is an absolute beast but stunningly beautiful. It's raw, rugged and a brilliant way to explore this expansive continent in a totally unique way. The wildlife we came across during our recce was incredible, it was like a safari on wheels! From elephants, giraffes, hippos to springboks and zebras we saw all the classic 'tick list' animals and so many more, including a pod of humpback whales to wave us over the finish line. I cannot recommend adding this to your list more." Abbi
The planned route is a heady mix of gravel and tarmac and each stage has it's own distinct flavour and character, we've laid out a snapshot of how these adventure unfolds over 26 days. It's a big one!
Arrival Day (day 1)
Registration Day (day 2)
Stage 1 Namibia - Botswana (day 3 - 8)
Days riding: 6
Total distance: 770 km
Total elevation: + 4072m
Gravel/Tarmac %: 80/20
Stage 2 Botswana - South Africa (day 9 - 16)
Days riding: 7
Total distance: 1200 km
Total elevation: + 2116m
Gravel/Tarmac %: 10/90
Other info: We have a rest day on day 12 of the itinerary.
Stage 3 South Africa - Eswatini (day 17 - 22)
Days riding: 5
Total distance: 640 km
Total elevation: + 5919m
Gravel/Tarmac %: 60/40
Other info: We have a rest day on day 19 of the itinerary.
Stage 4 Eswatini - South Africa (day 23 - 25)
Days riding: 3
Total distance: 420 km
Total elevation: + 5031m
Gravel/Tarmac %: 45/55
Transfer from Sodwana Bay to Durban (day 26)
Included in your entry fee is all accommodation and food within the itinerary days, full medical and mechanical support throughout as well as expert guidance from the Rat Race crew. As we travel through Africa we've got a great mix of exciting accommodation options, from game lodges and hotels to fantastic campsites that we know you're going to love.
