Expedition Africa 2012

A Course to Really Test the Teams

Expedition Africa / 07.05.2012

Leg 1 - 17km

Expedition Africa 2012 commences in the 1820 British settler village of Bathurst. The start area is the historical toposcope–set on the highest point above the village, which details the trail of the British pioneers who settled in the surrounding areas.  From this viewpoint the whole route of the Expedition can be seen. The adrenaline levels will be kick started with the Grahamstown Sky Diving club who will land at the toposcope, bearing the Expedition Africa flag at the start of the race. (Ed. Sadly due to the weather this didn’t happen.)

From the toposcope, teams will be able to see Port Alfred to the south (their second transition). To the west, the towns of Kenton-on-Sea and Boesmansriver can be seen, the locations of transitions 3, 4, 5 and 6.  The town of Grahamstown lies to the north and is the area where the rope work section at the Bloukrans Bridge will take place (transition 7).  Beyond this point, lies the midway camp at Glen Boyd Game farm, where the teams will have their meal while watching a herd of Rhinos graze.  East is the furthest point on the route – the town of Hamburg.

Several historical sites are checkpoints in Bathurst are on the first leg including ‘The Pig n Whistle’ pub, which is the oldest pub in South Africa, dating back to 1832.  Other buildings of this era are the Methodist church, St. John’s Anglican church and the gunpowder magazine. St. John’s church is the oldest unaltered church in South Africa and was built in 1833.  At all of these transitions, organisers will drop of the re-supply boxes. All medical emergencies will be handled by Gaurdmed medical services. 

On leaving this quaint little town, teams will trek down through Watersmeeting nature Reserve to the Kayaks, situated on the Kowie River.

Leg 2 - Kayak 23km

Kayaking down the Kowie river all the way to Port Alfred, teams should keep their eyes open for game sightings. The tame Giraffe at Mansfield Game Reserve will follow teams down the fence line. Be on the lookout for sightings of the exotic colours of the Knysna Loerie or the haunting cry of the Fish Eagle.   Spectacular Horse Shoe bend with its panoramic views of the Kowie river is one the most famous Sunshine Coast photo opportunities.

At the end of this kayak teams will paddle through the vibrant town of Port Alfred.  The first checkpoint will be the slipway of the host hotel, Halyards hotel. The rest of the kayak passes the world class marina development and then teams will paddle through the harbour mouth in to the open sea.

A surf exit will see the team’s beach at the blue flag awarded to Kelly beach under the supervision of the NSRI Port Alfred.