2025 BIG FIVE MARATHON

2025 Big Five Marathon 

  7 Days 6 Nights Package: 11-17 June 2025

11 June 2025: Arrival at Entabeni

Your tour will start and end at Johannesburg International Airport (also known as OR Tambo). All participants will be transferred at set transfer times from the airport to Entabeni Game Reserve.

The set transfer departure times from the airport are: 08:30, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00. If none of these transfers fit with your arrival, it is possible to book an individual transfer at an additional cost.

Upon arrival to Entabeni, you will meet you tour leader and be checked in at your respective lodge/camp. Participants arriving on one of the first three transfers (departure from Johannesburg International Airport at 08:30, 10:00 & 12:00) will have the possibility to go on the first of several exciting game drives.

The game drives will provide the opportunity to experience an authentic African safari in serene surroundings. The Entabeni Game Reserve offers diverse wildlife, open safari vehicles and relatively few tourists, creating an ideal wilderness atmosphere.

Meals: Dinner

12 June 2025: Entabeni Game Drives

Day two of your stay in Entabeni is dedicated to exploring the game reserve through a morning game drive and a bush walk. We will get accustomed to the park's geography, and climate, and we can slowly start preparing ourselves for Saturday's exciting event: The Big Five Marathon.

The game drive is included in the itinerary and will take place either in the early morning or in the late afternoon. A bush walk with an experienced armed ranger is also included during your stay, giving us a chance to get really close to the nature and wildlife. Additional game drives and bush walks can be purchased on spot. Alternatively, some of your free time can also be used for shorter runs outside Entabeni - the tour leader will help organise the runs.

Early morning game drives typically takes place between 06:00 and 09:30. During these early hours we will experience the cool morning, spot spectacular wildlife, and most probably work up an appetite. Once back from the morning safari we will be richly satisfied by the overwhelming breakfast buffet that awaits us at our lodge/camp.

The afternoon game drive begins around 16:00, and arrives back at the lodge in time for dinner around 19:30. Similar to the morning game drive, the afternoon drive provides great wildlife experiences. Moreover, the afternoon drive offers the opportunity to experience a beautiful sunset in ideal settings: enjoying a cold drink on the savannah, while admiring the changing colours of the darkening evening sky. The afternoon drive then turns into a night safari, where we will get the chance to spot the fascinating nocturnal wildlife with a spot light.

PLEASE NOTE:

• June is winter time in South Africa and while the temperature often rises to 20-25 degrees Celsius during the day, temperatures around 0 degrees Celsius at night time is not unusual! Especially the large drop from day to night time temperatures makes the evenings and mornings feel extremely cold. It is therefore essential to bring a winter jacket, warm hat and gloves when going on game drives!
• Over the last few years, the reserve's wildlife has become increasingly accustomed to tourists. It is therefore not uncommon to see elephants, giraffes and different species of antelopes grazing in close proximity to the safari vehicles. A pride of lions even occasionally holds up traffic, lying lazily across the track. We use open 4x4 safari vehicles, which provide us with an excellent opportunity for viewing the wildlife in safety.
• During our stay, we will have a number of park rangers allocated: one for approximately every ten participants. The rangers ensure our safety, drive the safari vehicles, provide competent guiding, coordinate the events with the race management, and are at our disposal around the clock. Further more a tour leader will be with the group from beginning to end.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

13 June 2025: Route Inspection

After breakfast, all participants will be transported from their respective lodges/camp to the starting point of the marathon. Before we set off for the start line, there will be a short briefing about the route inspection. All safari vehicles follow the route in a convoy, allowing the participants to examine the different running surfaces, note the locations of water stations and assess the overall difficulty of the route.

After the route inspection, a large buffet lunch will be served for all of the participants. Everyone will be gathered - participants, race officials, medical staff and rangers - for a formal introduction to the event, and a presentation of the practical issues surrounding the marathon. There are no scheduled game drives this day.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

14 June 2025: Race Day

The day we have all been waiting for has arrived! Today you will take part in an unforgettable challenge: The Big Five Marathon. In the morning, all participants will be transported from the different lodges/camps to the starting line in time for final preparations. The marathon is scheduled to start at 09:00, but delays are to be expected, as the exact start time will depend on the location of the big five game - if too close to the route, the start will be postponed.

There are no scheduled game drives this day.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

15 June 2025: Celebration Dinner

Today we get some time to relax after running through the African savannah. You will have the option to purchase additional game drives and excursions for the morning. In the afternoon, we will venture out for yet another fantastic game drive followed by our post-marathon party. There will be delightful food, live entertainment, a prize ceremony, a big bonfire, and partying under the starry skies. Please be aware that the party takes place in a traditional South African boma with open roof and large open doorways. It is therefore advisable to dress warm! For the same reason, there will be no dress code and casual warm clothing is recommended.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

16 June 2025: Entabeni

On the final day at the Entabeni Safari Conservancy, you will have one last game drive in the morning. Those interested will also get the opportunity to stretch their legs on one final bush walk.

In the evening, farewell dinners will be held at the respective lodges.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

17 June 2025: Farewell South Africa or Hello Extension

Our time at the Entabeni Game Reserve has come to an end and it's time to head back to Johannesburg. As upon arrival, all participants will be transferred from Entabeni to Johannesburg International Airport.

Transfer arrival times at the airport are: 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00. As on arrival, it is possible, at an additional cost, to book an individual transfer to Johannesburg, if the group transfers don't coincide with your onward journey.

Meals: Breakfast

 *Activities subject to change.

We can’t guarantee Private arrival transfers after 16.00 .  It depends on the road conditions in June 2025.  We recommend guests with a late arrival to arrive a day early and stay overnight in one of the hotels in Johannesburg Airport.