Tour of Botswana
HardMulti-day adventure cycling event traversing Botswana from Gaborone north toward the Okavango Delta. Mostly hard-pack gravel with sand-track sections through bushveld, with elephant and giraffe sightings part of the daily routine.
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▌ Multi-day adventure cycling event traversing Botswana from Gaborone north toward the Okavango Delta
Africa bikepacking event organized by Tour of Botswana
12 SCORING DIMENSIONS
EFFORT MATRIX
EXPERIENCE MATRIX
GREEN FLAGS
- [+]850 km of hard gravel through Gaborone → Maun
- [+]3,000 m of climbing — proper elevation
- [+]Self-supported / ultra format = adventure focus
- [+]Organized by Tour of Botswana
- [+]Varied terrain: Gravel, Sand, Bushveld
RED FLAGS
- [!]Ultra distance — needs serious training base
- [!]Self-supported — no aid stations expected
- [!]Details not yet verified — confirm via official site
RIDER FIT
Built for hours in the saddle — your distance
Significant climbing rewards low-watt grinding
Ultra format = guided adventure with timing chips
Self-supported format suits bikepacking instincts
Technical terrain rewards bike-handling
Single-day pace suits crit-style riders less here
850 km is not a race — it's an expedition. Pacing is decided by hours, not km splits, and sleep strategy matters more than power.
TIRE INTEL
Sandy sections benefit from lower pressure and width.
WEATHER PLAYBOOK
Gaborone → Maun in mid-winter (August): expect mild conditions — pack for variable weather. Always check 7-day forecast race week and pack a packable shell.
PACING PLAYBOOK
Resist the urge to push. Your race starts in 48 hours, not at km 0.
Eat early, eat often. Sleep matters more than watts now.
Mental low point. Stick to the plan. Most riders bonk here mentally before physically.
Save matches. The finish line will reveal itself when you stop chasing it.
WHAT TO FEAR
- [!01]Sand drifts → sudden flats and walking sections
- [!02]Mental low point on the long, lonely middle section
- [!03]Resupply gaps — carry more food than you think
INSIDER INTEL
“The sandy stretches at Tour of Botswana are decided by tire choice as much as power.”
“Cycling in Africa is different — the wildlife, the warmth of the welcome, the sheer scale of it. Tour of Botswana delivers all of that.”
RACE LOGISTICS
Self-supported by design. Carry your own food, water, tools, and shelter. Resupply from towns en route.
Plan for 24+ hour stretches between resupply points. Carry food and purification.
- +Timing chip + bib
- +Course markings + GPX
- -Spare tubes / tubeless plugs
- -Lodging
- -All food and water beyond the start
- -Shelter / sleep system
- -Tracker (rider-supplied for many ultras)
- -Drop bag transport (unless specified)
Book 6+ months ahead for big events. Check the race partner-hotel list for discounts.
Often the best value for groups. Search the wider race region, not just the start town.
- ▸Mandatory pre-race brief — non-negotiable attendance.
- ▸GPS device with full route loaded is required, not optional.
TRAVEL OPS
Tour of Botswana is a destination-worthy bikepacking event in Botswana. A solid bucket-list addition.