The Rhino Run route does not follow the most direct route to Windhoek, Namibia. However, we have a particular adventure in mind for racers and cycle tourers. The course is intended to create a truly memorable adventure.
Riders will travel 2,750 km through dry, hot deserts, wineries districts, rolling hills, winding coastal roads, and challenging mountain regions.

The 2023 race route, and most current course, can be found here:

CLICK HERE for the Rhino Run Entree - Plettenberg Bay to Stellenbosch. Please make sure that the copy you download is titled RR Entree V2 FINAL_16_10_23

CLICK HERE for the Rhino Run Main Course - Stellenbosch to Windhoek. Please make sure that the copy you download is titled RR Main Course FINAL_13_10_23
Please note: You must download BOTH files if riding the full route. 

The 2023 route logistics can be found here:

CLICK HERE for a breakdown of resupply points and distance between towns; opening hours are subject to change. We encourage all riders to do their own research.

Read on for a summary of the full route:

GARDEN ROUTE: Plettenberg Bay to Stellenbosch

The route between Plettenberg Bay and Stellenbosch has some of the most beautiful vistas of the course. This is a spectacular sector on a famous cycle touring route through the western cape region of South Africa, with cool ocean breezes, lush forests, tough passes, and stunning wine farms towards the end. Before climbing Montagu Pass, near George, you are on the Garden Route, so named because of the lush green indigenous forests hugging the coastline. It is the greenest part of the route, very different from the barren sectors further north.
The road conditions here are a mix of tar, smooth gravel, and then very rough and rocky gravel sections with erosion ruts and uneven terrain. These roughest sections are typically on or near the mountain passes, especially Montagu Pass and Rooiberg Pass.
Once you pass through Knysna, and leave the ocean behind, you head inland, where the weather can be very unpredictable. Montagu Pass could be under thick rain clouds while the Karoo, on the other side of the mountain, can be bathing in sunshine. The areas of South Africa that the Rhino Run passes through receive mainly winter rains, so the chances are pretty good it will be a hot and dry race, but that is never certain. 
Arriving in Stellenbosch, you will have completed 11,000 meters of climbing over 750 kilometers. A brutal beginning to a race. Most passes involve between five and nine kilometers of climbing, and many are steep, with loose, rocky terrain that makes the worst gravel roads in Europe look like a tar road.
There are plenty of options for resupply during the first stretch of this route, with frequent towns and spaza shops. Most petrol stations are open 24 hours. If sleeping on the course, try to do it away from busy towns for safety.
A significant crime hot spot is descending Helshoogte Pass into town. Do not stop on the side of the road here. Ride into Stellenbosch. The other hotspot is when leaving Stellenbosch. The route and country are generally very safe and can be ridden solo. As with any country, just be wary of those looking for opportunities for petty theft. It’s generally safe to leave a bicycle outside a shop while you get snacks but keep it in view.
Contrary to popular belief, wild animals don’t roam the streets of South Africa. Instead, the most concerning animal may be stray dogs through informal settlements. Although you will most likely see snakes and scorpions and a few other creatures further on along the course.

CEDERBERG Stellenbosch to Springbok

Starting in Stellenbosch you ride mostly on sealed roads until the Cederberg. It’s an opportunity to make up some lost time but be prepared for more climbing. Leaving Wellington, you’ll ascend Bainskloof Pass, probably the most beautiful climb and descent of the entire route so take a moment to look back at the Cape Winelands before cresting the climb.
The prevailing winds in the Cape region are south-easterly, so statistically (not guaranteed), you should have a tailwind to Ceres. Resupply points now start to become more sparsely separated. Although off course by a few kilometers, the small town of Op Die Berg is the last town before entering the Cederberg. Plan your resupply accordingly. In the heat of summer, the rivers will be dry in the Cederberg. You should expect this section to be hot and dry but that is not guaranteed - the Cederberg has been known to have freak snowstorms as late as September.
Cederberg gravel is infamous for being tough, graded maybe once a year, so prepare for soft sand and endless corrugations (washboards). There are no mountain passes through the Cederberg, but the climbs are incredibly steep and long enough to sap the little energy you have. We expect that section will be pivotal for riders and could make or break their race.
The Cederberg doesn’t have much in the way of shops. However, some accommodation establishments on the route have kitchens open at certain times. 
The Cederberg has leopards, but the Cape Leopard is significantly smaller than the larger African cats. They are very timid, and it is very unlikely that you will see one. The Cederberg also has scorpions, in fact, this is true of the course all the way to Windhoek, so take care when you are wild camping. While we’re on the topic of dangerous creatures, snakes are common throughout South Africa. The most common are the Cape Cobra, Puff Adder, and Nag Adder (Night Adder). All three are extremely dangerous so avoid getting near them if spotted. 
Towards the end of the Cederberg section, you will ride through Clanwilliam which will be an important resupply before the tough next section to Calvinia. This stretch is again challenging as you face a small section of the Tankwa Karoo. Before you cross into the Northern Cape you will need to ford the Doringrivier. It is quite a wide river crossing, and while water levels are typically low, after some rain, crossing the river could be character building. The main feature of the section to Calvinia is the famed R355 road, where temperatures can top 45 - 50 degrees Celsius in the middle of the day. There is nowhere to hide from the sun in this barren, isolated area. Mostly abandoned now, there used to be farms in the area, but the harsh conditions and lack of water drove the farmers out. This section to Calvinia on the R355 will be a small taste of what you can expect once you hit Namibia. 
The town of Calvinia is the last central town before Springbok, so make sure to refuel and resupply well here.
Don’t underestimate this next stretch. While there is less climbing (compared to earlier in the course), the terrain gets rough, more corrugated, and rutted. There are many sandy stretches, soft enough to bury your feet when standing. There will be no free kilometers here as you constantly search for a rideable line. As the mind games begin with the remote and barren surroundings, the country is still beautiful in its own rugged way. After Loeriesfontein, there won’t be an established town until you get to Springbok, and you should expect brutally high and very little shade.
Loeriesfontein is famous for its Windmill Museum. So, if you need a break from the elements, it’s a great place to visit.
Continuing along the R355, traffic will be very quiet, with the occasional herd of sheep, and the usual snakes and scorpions. One thing you will notice past Calvinia is a new type of tree. The Quiver Tree is synonymous with the area and one that will stay with you into Namibia. In this sector it’s all incredibly long, straight roads that seem never to end, with rolling hills that shouldn’t hurt now feeling like climbs. The only respite will be the prevailing south-easterly (fingers crossed) pushing you along nicely as you get closer to the Namibian border.

CROSSING THE BORDER

Springbok is a fairly large town with plenty of food and accommodation options. It will likely be an important resupply point after passing through some very remote country. It’s the final resupply before pushing over the border of Namibia. It’s more of the same, similar to the route between Calvinia and Springbok, but with less established towns on the route. Steinkopf is a small town that doesn’t have the most services. 
The roads here are not always in the best condition, be aware of sudden sandy sections, especially on the descents. Your tyre choice will be tested here. A rough 4WD track will take you over to a lovely, but short commute along the Orange River which marks the border between South Africa and Namibia.
There are some small shops on the South African side of the border where you can resupply water and snacks. There is also lodging not too far off route with a proper restaurant if you want a comfortable bed and a good meal before tackling the Namibian section.
The small town of Vioolsdrift is where the border post is set up – it’s open 24 hours a day. It is unlikely that you will need a visa to enter Namibia, but this depends on your passport and you will need to research this before you leave home. Make sure you have your passport and necessary documents ready when you get to the border, and depending on the time of day that you get there, the wait shouldn’t be too long.

INTO NAMIBIA

Before and after riders cross into Namibia, the course follows the stunning Orange River. It is the longest river in South Africa and serves as a border between the two countries. With a total length of 2,432 km, the Orange River Basin extends from Lesotho into South Africa and Namibia to the north. The lush green farmland is in stark contrast to the barren, sandy country further away from the river. There are plenty of guesthouses and river camps set up here, it serves as a popular tourist/adventure area.
Entering Namibia, you will pass through farmlands on the way to Aussenkehr where you have a chance to resupply at a small supermarket. Then you ride through the picturesque Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, with the grave road surrounded by rugged valleys and high mountains.
Once you turn off the Orange river, you’ll start climbing into the more remote Namib (meaning “vast”) desert. Rosh Pinah is situated early on this long climb if needing a cold drink and shade. It’s a long 50 km false-flat grind and you’ll instantly feel that things are getting very real. 
Namibia is a gravel cycling paradise. However, you will quickly learn that Namibia specialises in long, straight roads through barren desert plains with jagged peaks on either side. There’s nowhere to hide from the heat and wind on those exposed plains, and the population density is so low that passing traffic is rare. The spectacular desert colours you will experience on these long roads will blow your mind. The soft desert pastels, with pink and orange tones, become redder as you head north. The entire stretch through Namibia is essentially one long drag of a climb from close to sea level up to 2,000 metres.
Towns will start to dry up more, and you will need to plan carefully plan your resupply logistics. After Rosh Pinah there is a petrol station 105 km later in Aus, then it’s over 200 km in hot dry, exposed conditions until you reach Sesriem.
There are however guest houses on route, so the water may be available if you head off course. Continuing north into the Namib-Naukluft National Park, you’ll see zebras, ostriches, springbok, oryxes, and maybe even giraffes roaming free if you’re lucky. At night, the skies are so dark that you’ll hardly need lights to ride through the night under a bright moon.
Sesriem has lodgings and a petrol station for resupply. Approaching Sesriem, you may be lucky to see the red dunes of Sossusvlei in the distance to the west. Sossusvlei is a popular tourist destination due to the sheer size and colour of its incredible dunes. It’s known for desert vistas that just don’t look real, with the remnants of 1,000-year-old forests jutting out of salt flats surrounded by giant dunes shaped into perfectly smooth curves by the wind – it’s more like a Salvador Dali installation than real life. The course does not pass through Sossusvlei. However, if you choose to tour and not to race, Sossusvlei and Deadvlei are a must-visit.
Another 50 km up the road is Solitaire, a popular outpost for travellers. The first thing you will notice is the abundance of car wrecks that have been picturesquely draped along the road. The bakery/café is known for its apple cake, arguably the best in Namibia. Ground squirrels are a regular sight here and are happy to take food from travellers.
This is your final major resupply before Windhoek, so make sure you have what you need for the final push.As you edge closer to the finish line, you’ll have to dig deep to endure some bigger climbs through the hills and rugged gorges into Windhoek. You’ll top out at just over 2,000m, the highest point on course, before descending to the outskirts of Windhoek.
The course finishes on the steps of Christuskirche, a historic church in the heart of Nambia’s capital.