Tankwa Trail Run 2026

Desert Trail Running in the Tankwa Karoo

The Tankwa Trail Run is a multi-day trail running experience set in the heart of South Africa's Tankwa Karoo, a vast semi-desert landscape known for its lunar-like terrain, endless horizons and extraordinary silence. Hosted at the Tankwa Tented Camp on the original African Burn site, this event combines trail running with the surreal desert art installations and otherworldly landscape that make the Tankwa Karoo one of South Africa's most unique outdoor destinations.

The event offers three distance options across a weekend format, with a fun night run on Friday evening followed by the main race on Saturday. The Tankwa Karoo's dramatic landscape — from wide-open desert stretches to sandy riverbeds and ridgeline trails — creates an unforgettable running experience that feels like running on another planet.

Courses and Formats

42 km — The Bushman Trail

The 42-kilometre distance follows an ancient Bushman trail high above the Tra-Tra river, connecting the Tankwa with the Cederberg mountains. This guided adventure takes runners through terrain cleared in collaboration with local farmers, offering a genuine wilderness experience along paths used for thousands of years by the San people.

30 km — Desert Explorer

The 30-kilometre route takes in the best of the Tankwa landscape, including Area 51, unique desert art installations and winding desert terrain. The course features a variety of surfaces — from long open stretches to sandy riverbeds — and includes a dramatic ridgeline experience with panoramic views across the Karoo.

13 km — Discovery

The 13-kilometre distance provides an accessible introduction to Tankwa trail running, covering the most photogenic sections of the desert landscape with its art installations and dramatic scenery.

Terrain and Conditions

The Tankwa Karoo is a semi-desert environment characterised by hard-packed earth, sandy riverbeds, rocky ridgelines and open desert plains. The terrain is mostly flat to gently undulating, with the ridgeline sections providing the most technical running. March temperatures in the Tankwa can be extreme, with daytime highs often exceeding 35°C and strong sun exposure across the treeless landscape. Adequate sun protection, hydration and electrolyte management are critical.

Practical Information

• Format: Friday night fun run + Saturday main race, camping at Tankwa Tented Camp
• Getting there: approximately 3.5 hours from Cape Town via the R355 gravel road through Ceres
• Climate: March is hot and dry — expect 35°C+ during the day, cool nights
• Accommodation: tented camp accommodation at the race venue