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Victoria Falls Marathon - Marathon Only Package
Starting/Ending Johannesburg
6 days/5nights The cascades at Victoria Falls are one of the natural wonders of the world, and you now have the opportunity to participate in the Victoria Falls Marathon and explore this area fully by raft and mountain bike, in a unique extreme event.
Wild Frontiers, Safari Par Excellence and Wild Horizons are the official organisers of the Zambezi Man Challenge.
This exciting event will challenge your rafting skills on the Grade 5 rapids of the mighty Zambezi River followed by timed mountain bike and 42.2 km marathon events.
You will raft from the starting point in the boiling pot of the gorge to the dam site in team format in a paddleboat with an experienced river guide. This is one of the best rafting trips in the world, with some huge rapids and incredible scenery. You will paddle over 50 km, and this will take about 8 hours.
Overnight camping before cycling approx 90 km back to the town of Victoria Falls, through a mixture of tribal and game conservation areas, some single track and some rural roads.
The full marathon (42.2 km) will lead you through the town of Victoria Falls, over the border into Zambia and as you cross the bridge you will see the full majesty of the Falls and the gorges below. The route returns to Zimbabwe and continues through the outskirts of town and along the Zambezi River drive. There is a good chance of seeing some game so the National Parks staff will be monitoring the route. The finish for the race will be at the farm school situated on the outskirts of the town.
All participants should pre-enter through the website in order to participate. All entrants, both local and foreign, will have to clear immigration on the Thursday, 26 August 2010 before 15h00 - all arranged by organisers - to get a bib number. Visa fees, if applicable, will need to be pre-paid at registration. Passports or ID are needed at registration.
Not only are the Falls themselves well worth a visit, but there are many optional activities to enjoy. Visitors can canoe on the upper Zambezi, go fishing or cruising, walk amongst the wildlife, take horseback trails, and for the extremely adventurous, go abseiling, Gorge swinging or even bungi jumping off the Victoria Falls bridge, all into the 111 metre Gorge downstream of the awesome Victoria Falls. We recommend at least an additional 2 nights will be needed to complete these activities.
A variety of other add-on options - both pre and post event - are available to our guests, to Botswana, Hwange, Lower Zambezi, Kariba etc.
www.vicfallsmarathon.com
This event is owned and managed by Wild Frontiers, Wild Horizons and Zambezi Elite. As such, booking for the race, and accommodation/transfers etc over the race weekend MUST be made through the above. We will also be offering unbeatable rates for all extra activities over this weekend. Apart from offering great rates, it makes sense to have the event managers in charge of your activities / transfers / entries etc.
Accommodation packages are offered only with our approved sponsors - African Sun Hotels, Savanna Lodge and Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. Self drive groups will be offered accommodation at the self catering Lokothula Lodges, near Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, and other venues - via the agents above.
Before and after the race weekend, you may book your choice of accommodation/activities anywhere in the area, either through one of the above or directly.
Package price:
(Based on min 20 participants) Price per person sharing: R6 495 per person
Single supplement: R1 170.00 per single Add approx R 2 299 pp for the airfare & R 1 895 airline charges & taxes (Total R 10 689) ex JHB return (subject to availability and airline /class) Prices include:
· Return airfare Johannesburg/Victoria Falls/Johannesburg on British Airways (limited seats on our special class available - shown separately above)
· Return airport/hotel transfers
· 4 nights accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
· 1 night camping inclusive of all meals
· Transfers to start & back from finish
· Rafting fee
· Cycling fee
·Marathon Entry Package which includes:
Marathon entry fee
Guaranteed bib number!!!
Official t-shirt
Medal
Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River including local drinks & snacks
Marathon "after party " entry fee (in aid of the local school) and transfers to and from hotels.
Organisation of Zambian visas for race, if needed, but exclude visa cost Prices exclude:
Visas - if applicable (Zambia/re-entry Zimbabwe not included in package/race entry), Park fees for the rafting (US$ 10 pp - payable direct), travel insurance, health requirements, additional activities, drinks, additional meals, all items of a personal nature and any service not specified. The above package prices are based on Southern African Resident prices. Please enquire for international resident rates.
Optional Extras:
· Pasta dinner at your hotel the evening before the race.
· Special Wild Frontiers Marathon adventure activities rates - see list below.
The above package prices are based on International rates. Please enquire for South African Resident prices. Other accommodation facilities also available, please enquire for more options. Should you be interested in any other areas than below extension options, i.e. to Chobe, Hwange etc, please enquire for a tailor made itinerary.
Special Marathon Activities Rates (only for registered entrants): | Activity | Rate | Park fee | | Rafting (full day) | USD 94 | USD10 | | Rafting (half day) | USD 85 | USD 10 | | Gorge Activity - Zip Line | USD 47 | | | Gorge Activity - Gorge swing | USD 60 | | | Gorge Activity - Abseil | USD 47 | | | Gorge Activity - Flying Fox | USD 26 | | | Canoeing (half day) | USD 77 | USD10 | | Canoeing (full day) | USD 89 | USD 10 | | Lion encounter | USD 98 | | | Elephant back safari | USD 94 | | | Elephant interaction | USD 55 | | | Helicopter flight - 15 min | USD 98 | USD 5 | | Microlight flight | USD 102 | |
Or save even more with the ADVENTURE PASS or SAFARI PASS!
ADVENTURE PASS
Pay USD 150 pp and choose any TWO of the below activities (excludes national parks fees):
White Water Rafting
Elephant Ride
Full Day Canoeing
Half Day High wire adventure
15 min Helicopter
Jet Boat Safari
Horse Riding Safari
Night Drive
Walking Safari
Lion Encounter
SAFARI PASS
Pay USD 225 pp and enjoy one of the following activities and a day trip to Chobe National Park, Botswana (excludes national parks fees):
White Water Rafting
Elephant Back Safari
Full Day Canoeing
Horse Riding
Night Drive
Walking Safari
NB: Additional activities to be booked & paid for prior to arrival in Victoria Falls.
PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO AIRFARE INCREASES OR ANY OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCEZimbabwe Visas
These are issued free of charge to South African passport holders at the border/airport on arrival. Other nationalities - please check.
Zambia Visas
South African passport holders do not require visas. All foreign passport holders please enquire at this office or from the High Commission. Please note double or single entry to Zimbabwe when you are obtaining a visa.
Health Requirements
It is strongly recommended that malaria prophylactics be taken during and after your visit to Zimbabwe, especially if visiting the lowveld area. Precautions against other tropical diseases should be taken - consult a travel medical specialist - Contact Netcare for an update: www.travelclinics.co.za
Water, we recommend bottled water or previously boiled water, or check with your hotel management.
Money
You can pay with USD, Pounds or ZAR cash. You can exchange forex for Zimbabwe Dollars in Zimbabwe at a bank or Bureau de Exchange, remember to keep your receipt should you need to settle hotel bills etc. Standard Chartered Bank Zimbabwe has made a decision to pull out of MasterCard acquiring on the Point of Sale (POS) in Zimbabwe with effect from 01st January 2007, due to prohibitive investment costs. Therefore, all hotels in Zimbabwe no longer accept MasterCard transactions. Only VISA, DINERS and AMEX cards will be acceptable.
The ATM facility is NOT a good option, as you will loose out on the much lower bank rate of exchange. We encourage all visitors to Zimbabwe to take small denominations of USD cash to settle bills with as you often get a better rate for meals, drinks etc if you pay cash.
Click Here To Enter The Race
| Day 01 |
| Wednesday – 25 August 2010
Depart Johannesburg on British Airways to Victoria Falls. On arrival at Victoria Falls airport you will be met and transferred to The Kingdom Hotel. Assisted group check-in with welcome drinks.
Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis. |
| Day 02 |
| Thursday – 26 August 2010
A rest day built into the itinerary to explore the Falls area and to partake in some of the other activities around (see details below).
Zambezi Man registration & pre-race briefing at Kingdom Hotel at around 14h00, we will allocate everyone into groups at this time. All Bikes and any accessories you may need for the cycle leg will have to be checked in at this time. |
| Day 03 |
| Friday – 27 August 2010
The rafting event will start from the Kingdom Hotel and everyone will have to run to the raft starting position in the boiling pot of the gorge. Then paddling from this position to the Dam Site. This paddle will include 2 x portages around 2 x grade 6 rapids. The total length of the river to be paddled will be about 50 km, and it is paddling some of the biggest raftable rapids in the world. This section is not a race, but there will be no dilly dallying as the distance to be covered is vast. It will be a strenuous section and as such is not for the faint hearted.
Overnight camping on the top of the gorge at the dam site. All bikes will be on site with a local mechanic on site to assist with any final adjustments.
You will need to complete the whole route from the boiling pot position to the Dam Site in order to continue with the next discipline. Helmets and life jackets supplied. Should you not have been able to complete it successfully, you may continue non-competitively.
Overnight camping. Packed lunch and dinner included this day.
Your bikes, as well as a bag of personal effects / bike gear etc, would have been transported to the camp to await your arrival. |
| Day 04 |
| Saturday – 28 August 2010
The cycling will start at 06:30, directly after breakfast. The cycle leg will be approx 104 km, with the final 14 km being on tar. Finish will be at the same place as the marathon finish line, which is the Vic Falls primary school. Water tables for the cycling event will be at the 30 km & 60 km marks. With marshals and tape marking any route adjustments, the areas through which we are cycling is predominantly communal land, it is rocky with sections of Kalahari sand. Return to the Kingdom Hotel.
Marathon race briefing this evening at 18h30 at the Kingdom Hotel.
Overnight the Kingdom Hotel. |
| Day 05 |
| Sunday – 29 August 2010
Marathon day. Start 06:30 in Zimbabwe, opposite Kingdom Hotel. Enjoy the festive atmosphere at the finishing line before your transfer back to your hotel.
Late afternoon you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to enjoy the official sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River in celebration of the race. While on the boat all local drinks, wine, beers, mixers, spirits, mineral water and snacks are included. From here you will be transferred to the Marathon After Party Bash. There will be food stalls at the party to buy supper from. Return transfers to hotel on hourly basis.
Zambezi Man prize giving will be at the Marathon AFTER Party, if you make it!
Overnight bed and breakfast. |
| Day 06 |
| Monday – 30 August 2010
Transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your return flight to Johannesburg on British Airways. |
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