Tugela Epic 2026

• Please note this is not a race. 
• The event is untimed - bring your own device for timing. 
• Late afternoon cut off for safety reasons. 
• Distances are approx. 40km each day.
• Fee structure includes Compulsory Conservation Levy; Tugela Epic Entry/Supporter Fee, meal ticket and accommodation of your choice for Saturday night
• Ticket excludes accommodation for Friday night - please arrange accommodation and meals directly with Emaweni Lodge if required.
• A light lunch will be available at Emaweni on Sunday for your own account.
• Parking fee of R100 per vehicle to park at Emaweni - CASH ON ARRIVAL 
• All riders and supporters are to sign indemnity forms at Emaweni and Zingela. 
• Bike transport and mechanic services are the rider’s responsibility. 

Saturday, 15th August 2026

• 5H30 – 7H30: Registration at Emaweni, coffee station
• 7H00: MTB ride Day 1 Briefing including route information & safety briefing
• 8H00: Day 1 MTB ride starts
• 9H00: Supporters & bags are transported down to Zingela
• 12H00 – 14H00: Lunch at Zingela
• 17H30: Welcome & Conservation Talk
• 18H00: MTB ride Day 2 Briefing 
• 19H30: Dinner

Sunday, 16th August 2026

• 6H30 – 08H00: Breakfast at Zingela
• 8H30: Day 2 MTB ride starts
• 11H00: Supporters & bags are transported up to Emaweni
• Finish at Emaweni

• Two days of incredible MTB Riding at your leisure
• A beautiful overnight stop at Zingela Safari & River Company
• Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast
• Facilities like hot showers, bike wash, chill zones, bar and more.
• Medical support on the route.
• Charity-run water points along the route.
• Bag and supporter transport from the start (09H00) to the overnight stop on Saturday and to the end point on Sunday (11H00)

1. All our local farm rules apply. Be kind, be gracious and remember how privileged we are to be able to ride mountain bikes in this incredibly beautiful conservation area.
2. Please show respect to all the event organizers, event officials and lodge staff. Please remember that many of these people are volunteering their time for a good cause.
3. Begging children are becoming a problem at races, so please be friendly but don’t encourage them by giving them sweets.
4. The decision of the race Director is final. And his wife’s decisions are even more final. 
5. And the most important rule: make sure you smell the cow dung; feast your eyes on the spectacular scenery, and enjoy the adventure!

Refunds processed up to 30 June 2026 will be refunded at 90% of entry fee.

However you can also sell your entry to another rider and do an online substitution.

The same refund policy applies to the cost of a tent, if it cannot be sold to another rider.

No refunds will be made on partial payments. You need to be fully paid up to qualify for refund policy above.

I undertake to participate entirely at my own risk. I agree that I shall have no claims whatsoever against the organizing body, any individuals, organiser or official, marshal, assistant, helper or agent, the sponsors, any local authority or land owners, in respect of any loss or damage whatsoever I may suffer arising from any injury to my person or loss or damage to property as a result of, or arising out of, whether directly or indirectly.

My participation in this event, including my arrival and departure there from and attendance of any ceremony and function thereof, however such loss or damage may arise and regardless of whether or not same shall have been caused directly or indirectly by negligence, of one or more or all of the aforementioned parties. In the event of my approval of this form as a guardian of a minor, I hereby consent to such minor being bound by the foregoing and further I indemnify the aforementioned parties to the extent, if any, to which such minor is not capable of waiving his rights as stipulated within. I agree to participate subject to rules including any drug tests and penalties provided for therein. 

By entering, I agree to email and SMS communications from Howler and possibly the timing company depending on the timing provider, regarding event details. I have read the above indemnity and the rules understand them and shall abide by them.

If The Tugela Epic is forced to cancel a stage (or stages) due to severe weather conditions or fires that puts riders’ safety at risk, the riders will not have any claim against the organisers or any of their sponsors of whatsoever nature in these circumstances. The Tugela Epic reserves the right to change the route for inter alia, safety and security reasons without notice. If the Tugela Epic is cancelled in total as a last resort due to events beyond our control (force majeure) – relating to, inter alia, political turmoil, natural disasters, strikes, protest action or any other major disturbance beyond our control, riders will have no claim whatsoever including but not limited to a refund against the organisers or any of their sponsors. This will include entry fees and or flights and other expenses. Tugela Epic will do everything in our power to reroute and to run the event in a safe and secure manner should any event of force majeure arise.



The ride starts at Emaweni Lodge which is 300m above the Tugela River; offering breath taking views and an exciting descent into the Tugela River canyon. Cold beers await your arrival at Zingela Safari & River Company, which is on the banks of the Tugela and your overnight stop on Saturday night.

Day two starts at Zingela and meanders through spectacular valley bushveld. The area is teeming with game, including the largest unfenced, free ranging population of Giraffe in South Africa; so, keep your eyes open for wildlife! The route then takes you through community owned conservation areas where acacias, aloes and Nguni cattle dominate the landscape for the final leg of the ride. The ride ends at Emaweni Lodge on Sunday.