07/05/2026
From dusty trails to ancient heritage, Land of the Giants 2026 (LOTG26) was more than just a cycling event, it was an immersion into the wild heart and history of Botswana’s Tuli region.
01/05/26 - Guests from around the world arrived through the breathtaking Limpopo Valley Airfield, welcomed by the raw beauty of Mashatu and of course by the rolling shutters by the media team .
02/05/26 - Registration officially opened at Race Home deep within the reserve, where cyclists, adventure lovers, conservationists, and storytellers gathered in anticipation of the days ahead.
As the day drew to a close, guests were treated to a breathtaking sundowner experience at an elevated viewpoint overlooking the vast Mashatu wilderness. With golden skies stretching across the horizon, the reserve transformed into a scene straight out of a dream.
Drinks flowed as guests soaked in one of Botswana’s finest sunsets while a traditional dance group from the Bobirwa villages brought the evening to life with vibrant cultural performances, rhythmic drums, song, and dance. Against the backdrop of the setting sun, the moment became a beautiful fusion of adventure, culture, and the spirit of Botswana, the perfect welcome to the Land of the Giants.
03 To 05/05/26 - The real adventure began.
Teams tackled 6 spectacular cycling routes winding through the untamed landscapes of Mashatu Game Reserve. Each route stretched up to 20km, water points at every 10 km of each route, with teams expected to complete 40km daily while the hardcore riders pushed themselves beyond 60km.
But this was no ordinary cycling event.
This was riding through the best scenic views.
Through towering giraffes, wandering zebras, all sorts of antelopes, and the true Giants of Mashatu, the elephants.
Cyclists crossed flowing streams and shallow riverbeds, splashing through water crossings as the local waterways carried the last gentle flows of the season. Every turn delivered dust, adrenaline, game viewing, and unforgettable scenery that no stadium or city route could ever replicate.
Then came one of the most powerful moments of the week for me.
06/05/26 - Guests visited the historic Northern Tuli heritage site near the Mmamaghwa Hills a place many Batswana still know very little about.
Standing among the scenic hills and ancient settlement grounds, we reflected on the story of the Babirwa people who once lived there before colonial era relocations transformed the region into commercial farms and conservation land. The views were breathtaking, but the history carried even greater weight. It reminded us that the Tuli landscape is not only rich in wildlife, but deeply rooted in Botswana’s history and heritage.
As the sun disappeared behind the rugged Mashatu horizon, the evening transformed into pure magic.
Under starlit skies in the middle of the wilderness, guests gathered for an unforgettable gala dinner where local jazz sensation Banjo Mosele serenaded the night with soulful performances that had guests dancing away the fatigue from days of intense cycling. The atmosphere was electric. Laughter, music, storytelling, and celebration echoing through the night.
The evening also carried a powerful conservation message.
In a remarkable commitment toward protecting Botswana’s wildlife heritage, Mashatu Executive Mr Stephen Lansdown presented a BWP 1,000,000 cheque to the Tuli Conservation Trust in support of antipoaching efforts and long-term conservation initiatives within the region. A reminder that LOTG is not only about adventure, it is also about preserving the land, wildlife, and ecosystems that make these experiences possible.
📍 07/05/26 - Departure day arrived, bringing the close of an unforgettable week of cycling, conservation, culture, and connection.
As part of the media team alongside fellow BW’s Finest photographers Brains Bond and Tlhaloso Ticco Don , documenting LOTG26 was an adventure on its own. Capturing these moments meant chasing cyclists under the scorching Botswana sun, jumping off moving game viewers, sprinting for the perfect angle, swallowing dust, and sometimes forgetting the heat entirely because the scenes unfolding before us were simply too epic to miss.
LOTG26 was not just a race.
It was Botswana on full display. 🇧🇼🔥
And the journey continues…
📅 returns on the same dates in 2027.
See the video here :https://youtu.be/0vJ2eOzLpP8?si=3uMOBRxWalJytN0I
Mashatu Game Reserve
Botswana Tourism
