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Natural Selection will hold the inaugural four-day nature cycling event dubbed ‘Maun 200 Plus’ that is expected to attract 18 cyclists from over seven different countries with the majority being locals from Maun.
According to the company’s Guide and Sales Executive Kyle Macintyre, among the cyclists, there will be renowned mountain biker, Kimberley Le Court from Mauritius who recently won the Absa Cape Epic of MTB in South Africa, which is widely considered as the Tour de France of mountain biking.
Other cyclists will be coming from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and British.
The race that aims to raise awareness about the coexistence of wildlife and humans will be held from the 4-7th May, 2023. The over 200km race will begin at Thamo Telele Lodge in Maun up to the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park giving cyclists an opportunity to experience and appreciate wildlife.
The cyclists will spend the four days exploring the elephant paths that have shaped Botswana landscape for centuries, clocking over 200 km while cycling along acacia woodlands, wandering river banks, mopane forests and beautiful savannah grasslands, all brimming with wildlife and endless African horizons.
In an interview, Maclntyre stated that during the first day of the event they will hold a 5 km relaxing ride from Thamo Telele Lodge where the cyclists will enjoy the incredible giraffe sightings and go along the Thamalakane River for a sunset.
“On the second day we will host the 75 km ride, cyclists will ride along the Thamalakane River and Nhabe River down to Boteti River and end up at Meno a Kwena Camp for an optional interactive bushmen afternoon activity before the high up cliff view sun downers with the zebra migration in full swing in the river bed below,” he told Times Sport.
As for the third day, Maclntyre indicated that there will be the 80km ride along Boteti River to the Wilderness Dawning Safaris mobile setup where cyclists will enjoy the view of wide water birds. According to him, during the last day cyclists will jump on their bikes for a 75km ride heading back to Maun where they will be arriving back to Thamo Telele Lodge for a farewell event.
The funds that will be raised through the event will be used to support the local charitable organizations, Elephant for Africa, an NGO that protects the endangered African elephant through research and education and Lorato House Rescue Centre a child welfare centre. Natural Selection plans to raise an amount of P52 000-00 for these two charitable organizations.
Natural Selection, a conservation driven Safari Company is the main sponsor of the race. The company serves to connect visitors in a meaningful way with Africa’s spectacular wildlife areas while being part of the conservation solution.
Other sponsors of the race include, Thamo Telele Lodge, Meno a Kwena, Wilderness Dawning Safaris, Your Mix, Mack Air, Helicopter Horizonsa nd Liqui Moly.
