Tugela Epic 2026

• Please note this is not a race. Its a social event in order to raise money for conservation in this area.
• Compulsory Conservation Levy to be paid by all Participants - R100
• Manageable distances 2 days of 40km each
• Great for friends family and anyone capable of riding these distances
• First time to every have a MTB ride in this area
• Fun for anyone looking for a adventure
• Views so enjoyable you gonna want to take your time
• Un-timed event allowing you to enjoy what we have to offer( there will be a late afternoon cut off)

Saturday, 15 August 2026

• Registration:
• 5:00 Onwards EmaweniStart:
• 7:30-8:00Lunch:
• 12:00 – 15:00Conservation Talk/ Presentation: 
• at Zingela after dinerDinner:
• 18:30 – 20:00Race Briefing: 
• 9:00

Sunday, 16 August 2026

• Breakfast: 
• 6:30 – 8:30Start: 
• 8:00Finish at Emaweni
• Depart or you welcome to book at Zingeal or Emaweni For another night, Camping facilities are available

Day 1&2

Starting at Emaweni, you will ride along some pristine mtb trails along the farm onto the top of the ridge where you will have the best views of the Tugela River as well as all the mountains in the Area. Further along a MTB Descent fun for everyone. Turning off along some gravel road you will head down to the Tugela river, crossing this river along a farm onto the gravel road towards Zingela. you will descend on trails custom made all the way into the Reception of Zingela. Cold beers and Drinks await your arrival with pristine views on the banks of the Tugela River. This is the overnight Stop for the day.

The Following Day You will leave Zingela making your way across the river through the farm on the opposite banks heading along the river making your way back up around the mountain towards Emaweni

please beware all animals have right of way and you may enjoy the game ride

• 2 days of Amazing MTB Riding at your leisure
• 1 beautiful Overnight Stop you going to want to come back
• Saturday Lunch Diner at Zingela, Breakfast at Zingela Sunday
• Facilities like hot showers, bike wash, chill zones, bar and more.
• Medical support on the route.
• Charity-run water points along the route with the most incredible local treats and people manning them!
• Bag Transport from the start to the overnight Stop and to the end

• Accommodation:
• We’ve removed the cost of accommodation from the entry fee to give you the freedom of choice. Friday evening you will need to provide your own accommodation. Saturday night accommodation has various options to choose from, and supporters may stay over as well. Other additional costs may apply in the menu selection. A compulsory conservation levy goes to the community, enabling us to use private community land.

You can add the below tent options on your entry:

• Hitchens Luxury AccommodationDawsons Luxury AccommodationShayamoya Luxury AccommodationJames 1 or 2Aloes A or BHotel A or BBadlandsGlamping Budget

• Car shuttles (raised vehicles only): R250 return, indemnity to be signedVehicle parking at Emaweni: R120Community Levy (compulsory): R100Bike transport & mechanic service are rider’s responsibility (mechanic at Zingela)Drinks at race village pub: own cost, please bring cashOther activities for non-riders available for booking at Zingela reception.

1. This is not a race, and untimed, if you want to be timed please bring your own device.
2. All our local farm rules apply too. Be nice. Be gracious and remember how privileged we are to be able to ride mountain bikes.
3. The Idea is each rider is to obtain sponsorship to raise money for the Ezemvelo Honoury Officers. There will be a prize for the highest sponsorship obtained.
4. Anybody overheard swearing at staff, other riders or race organisers will be blacklisted from all future Tugela Epic events.
5. Begging children are becoming a problem at races. Please don’t encourage them.
6. The decision of the race director is final. And his wife’s decisions are even more final. 
7. And the most important rule: make sure you smell the cow dung and look at the views. Before you know it, it will be all over. Enjoy your event.

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.