Big Five Marathon & Half
2025 Big Five Marathon
The Big Five; the Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard, Rhino and Lion. Not many can say they have run a marathon through the vast untouched surroundings of the African Savannah and experienced these incredible animals in their natural habitat. We are very excited to offer you the chance to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime event that will not only challenge you, but will reward you in the most spectacular and memorable way.
For international participants, race entry is only possible in conjunction with a multi-day tour package. The packages include all the ingredients for a fantastic getaway; accommodation, social events, sightseeing, and select meals and transportation per the itinerary. Packages also generally include ample amounts of free time, during which you can choose to join organized excursions or explore the region at your own pace.
Book today to run the wildest marathon of them all!
This is an ideal event to combine with Comrades Ultra Marathon.
We will beat any price in GBP, so you can feel confident booking at the best possible price. Speak to our team to request your 2025 package.
Travel Package Information
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Itinerary
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Tuesday 10th June
8 Day Tour – Arrival Zebra Nature Reserve: Your adventure begins at Johannesburg International Airport (OR Tambo), where all participants will be transferred to Zebra Nature Reserve at scheduled times. The available transfer times from the airport are 08:30, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00. If these transfers don’t suit your arrival time, you can book a private transfer at an additional cost. Please note that private transfers after 16:00 cannot be guaranteed.
Zebra Nature Reserve, located just an hour from the airport, is spread over 400 hectares and home to free-roaming, non-predatory wildlife.
Upon arrival, enjoy lunch before checking into your accommodation. In the afternoon, you’ll take a guided nature walk that ends at the reptile centre where you’ll learn about the reserve’s native reptile species. As the day winds down we’ll head out for a nature drive concluding with a traditional sundowner at the lookout point.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Wednesday 11th June
8 Day Tour – Visit to Soweto:
Today we will explore Soweto, South Africa’s most famous township with a guide who grew up there. You’ll gain personal insights into its history and modern-day culture. Highlights include visits to the Apartheid Museum and the Hector Pieterson Memorial.
After returning from Soweto, the afternoon is yours to relax or join optional activities such as fishing, kayaking, mountain biking (additional cost), or exploring the reserve at your own pace. You can also run the marked 5 km trail.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7 Day Tour – Arrival at Entabeni: Upon arrival at Johannesburg International Airport, participants will be transferred to Entabeni Game Reserve at set times: 08:30, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00. If these transfers don’t suit your schedule, private transfers are available at an extra cost although after 16:00 they can’t be guaranteed.
Once at Entabeni, you’ll meet your tour leader and check in at your lodge or camp. Participants arriving on the earlier transfers (08:30, 10:00, or 12:00) will have the chance to embark on their first game drive immersing themselves in the stunning African wilderness and diverse wildlife.
Meals: Dinner
Thursday 12th June - Entabeni Game Drives
8 Day Tour – Transfer to Entabeni:
After breakfast, we embark on a short three-hour drive to Entabeni Game Reserve and Legend Safari Resort. Once settled in,you’ll enjoy your first game drive in Entabeni, an exciting opportunity to experience African wildlife up close. The reserve’s serene setting and low tourist numbers provide an authentic safari experience in open vehicles.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7 Day Tour – Entabeni Game Drives: Today, you’ll explore the reserve on a morning game drive and a bush walk. This is your chance to start getting acquainted with the terrain ahead of Saturday’s Big Five Marathon.
Morning game drives typically run from 06:00 to 09:30 offering cool temperatures and prime wildlife viewing. After the drive you’ll return to a generous breakfast buffet. In the afternoon, a second game drive starts at 16:00 leading into an evening safari as we spot nocturnal creatures under the stars. The day ends with a delicious dinner back at your lodge.
Please note: June is winter in South Africa with daytime temperatures reaching 20-25°C but nights can be very cold. Warm clothing is essential for early morning and late evening drives.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Friday 13th June
7 & 8 Day Tour – Route Inspection: After breakfast we will head out for a route inspection. You’ll be driven in safari vehicles along the marathon course, giving you the chance to familiarise yourself with the terrain, water stations and any challenges ahead. After the inspection participants will enjoy a buffet lunch with race officials, medical staff and rangers, followed by an introduction to the event logistics.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Saturday 14th June
Race Day!
7 & 8 Day Tour: The highlight of the trip is here—the Big Five Marathon! You’ll be transported to the start line in the morning for final preparations. The race begins at 09:00, though there may be delays depending on the location of the big five animals.
There are no scheduled game drives on race day.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Sunday 15th June
7 & 8 Day Tour – Celebration Dinner: After the marathon, the morning is yours to relax or take part in additional game drives (optional). In the afternoon, we’ll head out for another game drive before gathering for a festive post-marathon celebration. Enjoy great food, live entertainment, a prize ceremony and a bonfire under the stars. The party takes place in a traditional open-air South African boma, so warm & casual clothing is recommended.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Monday 16th June
7 & 8 Day Tour – Final Game Drive: On your final morning at Entabeni Safari Conservancy, enjoy one last game drive soaking in the incredible wildlife and landscapes.
In the evening, farewell dinners will be hosted at the respective lodges, offering a perfect way to reminisce over your experiences in the African wilderness.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Tuesday 17th June
7 & 8 Day Tour – Farewell South Africa or Hello Extension: As our time at Entabeni comes to a close, you’ll be transferred back to Johannesburg International Airport. Group transfers are available at 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, and 18:00.
If these times don’t suit your schedule you can arrange a private transfer for an additional fee. For those continuing on to an extension, we’ll ensure you’re well looked after.
Meals: Breakfast
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Extensions
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Big Five Safari & Panorama Route – 18th to the 22nd June
Join an exciting safari trip which includes game drives, bush walks, and explorations of the area along the famed Panorama Route. Spot the Big Five game and a wealth of bird species, as well as other African wildlife. Our camp is beautifully situated in the Manyeleti Game Reserve, bordering the famed Kruger National Park. Consisting of fifteen stylishly-appointed tents with modern en-suite facilities and private terraces, a pool, bar, lounge and dining area and spacious, lush lawns, the camp provides an authentic African safari experience. Ask the Marathon Tours & Travel team for more details and a full itinerary.
Prices from £1365
Victoria Falls – 18th to the 21st June
With a height of 108 metres, a combined width of 1700 metres and picturesque rainforest backdrop, Victoria Falls is an impressive place to spend four days topping off your African adventure. You will stay 3 nights at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge with breakfast. Enjoy a tour of the falls, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi and a Boma Dinner Drum show as your included activities, along with hotel transfers and round-trip flights between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls. Ask the Marathon Tours & Travel team for more details and a full itinerary.
Prices from £1635
Cape Town – 18th to the 22nd June
Underneath the renowned Table Mountain lies the blue, frothy waters of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. South Africa’s southern cape marks this oceanic convergence, and during your journey you pay a visit to one of the most famous of the meeting points – Cape Point at The Cape of Good Hope. Other activities that are sure to whet your whistle include a tour of the Winelands with tastings (of course!) and various highlights throughout Cape Town itself. Ask the Marathon Tours & Travel team for more details and a full itinerary.
Prices from £1365
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Packages & Rates
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Marathon Tours & Travel 2025 Big Five Marathon Packages include:
Big Five Marathon & Half 2025 – 7 Day Package:
- 6 nights accommodation
- A choice of lodge, resort, and camp accommodations
- Full-board basis (starting with dinner on day 1 and ending with breakfast on the day of departure)
- Meet and greet on arrival
- Group transfers and game drives according to the itinerary
- Event Entries
- Marathon or Half Marathon – at an additional £275
- 2-week free trial of Coopah bespoke training plans. Details on how to claim will be sent in your booking confirmation email
Big Five Marathon & Half 2025 – 8 Day Package:
- 7 nights accommodation
- 2 nights at Zebra Stables and 5 nights at Legend Safari Resort
- Full-board basis (starting with dinner on day 1 and ending with breakfast on the day of departure)
- Meet and greet on arrival
- Group transfers and game drives according to the itinerary
- Event Entries
- Marathon or Half Marathon – at an additional £275
- 2-week free trial of Coopah bespoke training plans. Details on how to claim will be sent in your booking confirmation email
Race Entry Includes:
- English-speaking race officials
- Medical team
- Official Race T-shirt, Time taking and medal
- Supplies on the route
- Extensions and Excursions
Choice of 2 Distances
Elect to join one of two distances; the Full marathon – 42.195km/26.2m or the Half marathon – 21.1km/13.1m.
All prices are per person in UK pounds sterling Double Occupancy Single Occupancy Lodge options available - Prices from: £2365 £2939
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Event Information
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Race Date
Saturday, June 14 2025
Race Time
9:00 AM (Marathon) and 9:15 AM (Half-Marathon)
Start / Finish
The Big Five Marathon starts and finishes at Lakeside Lodge on the upper escarpment. Runners staying at the other lodges will be transferred to Lakeside in Jeeps. An early breakfast will be served at each lodge before departure.
The marathon and half marathon have separate start times. The marathon is scheduled for 9am. The half marathon will start at 9:15am. Please note that the presence of wildlife near the route may cause delays.
All finishers will receive a medal at the finish line. After the race, a buffet lunch will be served at Lakeside Lodge. Jeeps going back to your own lodge will depart when full (10 passengers). It is possible to use a shower next to the medical facility at Lakeside. Please bring a towel along if you wish to shower before heading back from the finish area.
Route Description
The Big Five Marathon is known for its challenging course, which takes runners through incredible scenery and showcases the natural beauty and wildlife of South Africa.
The start and finish line are situated at Lakeside Lodge on the upper escarpment. After the start, the marathon and half marathon routes take the runners past Ravineside Lodge, the Entabeni Monolith and further on to the lower plateau. This first section is run on dirt roads made up of red sand. Runners will pass a few hills (nothing too bad – the most challenging is yet to come!). When you reach Hanglip View Point, you backtrack and run back before you reach Yellow Wood Valley. Pay attention to this section as the surface is very uneven with loose rocks, pebbles and holes.
The Yellow Wood Valley is the most dreaded part of the course. You are about to run down the steepest slope of your life! This sharp descent is on a paved surface. The next three kilometres or so will be excruciatingly hard on your quads as you negotiate the steep slope and you reach lion country after the descent. Although the next nine kilometres are flat, you’re running through deep sand. Full marathoners do a 9km loop, whereas half marathon runners run a 2km loop.
This brings us back to Yellow Wood. You guessed correctly – we’re going back up the dreaded hill this time! Be prepared to take things slowly as it’s virtually impossible to run up this hill.
The route carries on to Long Drive, a narrow valley, where marathon runners do a 6km loop. Half marathoners run across the valley and reach the final section of the route. This section is run on dirt trails, a welcome respite from the deep sand and loose stone terrain earlier on.
The end of the run is fairly hard (final four kilometres). We run halfway down the ridge, which provides us with a wonderful view out over the plateau’s lake. The surface is fairly challenging, consisting of hard uneven, stony ground with plenty of large rocks and stones of all sizes. This final part has quite a few hills and as the surface is loose, it pays to keep a careful watch on the ground as we run towards the finish. With the finish line in sight you can now take it nice and easy.
There will be no race pacers at this event.
Surface:
The surface varies from deep sand, dirt tracks and trails to paved roads and pebbly surfaces with holes. Take care when running along surfaces with loose stones and holes. The steep ascent and descent is run on a paved surface. For more information, see the elevation map.
Marathon cut-off times
To ensure runners’ safety, three cut-off points have been established on the route:
Marathon:
- Cut-off 1 – 26.5km – 4 hours and 15 minutes after the start
- Cut-off 2 – 32.5km – 5 hours and 30 minutes after the start
- Cut-off 3 – finish line – 7 hours after the start
Half Marathon:
- Cut-off 1 – 10.5km – 4 hours after the start
- Cut-off 2 – 16.5 km – 5 hours and 15 minutes after the start
- Cut-off 3 – finish line – 6 hours and 45 minutes after the start
Runners who haven’t reached the cut-off points in time will not be allowed to continue and will be picked up by a ranger vehicle and taken back to the finish line. The cut-off times are strictly enforced to keep everybody safe!
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Registration & Booking
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On Request Bookings
Request Bookings will confirm that you have accepted our Booking Conditions. Your booking is not however, guaranteed until our partner company confirms availability. Please expect confirmation of place within 1-3 days of making your booking. Your card payment details will still be required for the deposit to secure your space, though please be advised this information will be held securely, and the card will only be debited upon confirmation of booking.
Disclaimer
Albatros Adventure Marathons reserve the right to change the itinerary and/or running course without further notice in the event of extreme weather.
By signing up for this event you agree to the Terms & Conditions.
Visa
Please note that it is each traveller’s responsibility to check visa and passport requirements and ensure that they comply. Obtaining a passport and, if required, a visa, is solely the responsibility of each traveller. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after returning from your destination.
A visa may be required for travellers entering South Africa, depending on what country you are travelling from. Please read the UK ADVICE here. Most nationalities can obtain the visa upon arrival at Johannesburg International Airport at a cost of JOD 40. Note that cash payment is required. USD is accepted corresponding to the exchange rate at the time of entry. Kindly be advised that certain nationalities require an entry visa to be obtained PRIOR to travel. Please check with the FCO.
Room Options
If you are a solo traveller and choose a shared double room when booking, we will pair you with another traveller of the same gender. If you prefer to have your own room, choose single room. A single supplement will apply.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend travellers to take out comprehensive travel insurance with sufficient healthcare cover, including cover for existing medical conditions and any activities you plan to do.
If you are unsure where to start, we’ve teamed up with Bikmo. Bikmo offer tailored insurance packages that cater for both competitive and non-competitive trips, covering you for many of our running events. If you wish to book insurance through Bikmo, you can benefit from an exclusive 5% discount*, simply use the code DESTINATIONSPORT5 at their checkout. More information can be found here.
*7 days European travel cover from £16.85. Bikmo non-competitive travel insurance is arranged and administered by Rock Insurance Services Limited, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FCA number 300317 Bikmo competitive travel insurance is arranged and administered directly by Jackson Lee Underwriting (JLU). This promotion is provided by Bikmo Ltd Glendale House Sandycroft Industrial Estate Flintshire CH5 2QP
Age Limits
Entabeni Safari Conservancy imposes an age restriction on children who may participate in game drives and bush walks. Children under 6 years of age are not permitted on game drives. To participate in bush walks, children must be 12 years of age or older.
To participate in the marathon or half marathon all runners must be at least 18 years old on race day.
Adults Traveling with Minors
The South African Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced new regulations under the Immigration Act whereby from 1 October 2014 passengers travelling with children under the age of 18 years – arriving, transiting and/or departing from South Africa, will be required to produce an unabridged birth certificate indicating the biological parents of the minor. The certificate must be in English and have an Apostille authentication. Please note that it can take several weeks to process this certificate.
Additional documentation is required for children travelling with only one parent, or adults who are not the biological parents. Full requirements are available from the South African High Commission/Embassy in your area.
Airlines will be forced to refuse travel to families not in possession of these documents. These new regulations have been implemented to combat child trafficking.
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Seven Continents Club ®
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The Seven Continents Club®️ (SCC) offers a unique opportunity for runners to run on all seven continents of the globe, as well as providing numerous benefits to its members. The club operates as a global frequent traveller club for runners, offering waitlist priority for high-demand events, early pre-registration periods for a number of races in popular destinations and tour package vouchers for money off international tour packages. What’s more, Seven Continents Club®️ rewards all its members for the extraordinary achievement of running marathons on each continent with their own special finishers medal and certificate of completion. Join the SCC today!
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