10 years in the making
21st to 26th September 2025
The Ultimate 6 Day Stage Gravel Race!
COUNTDOWN TO THE 2025 MUNGA TKSR
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what is the munga tkg?
6 day stage race
The Trans Karoo Stage Race is a 6 day stage race across the heart of the karoo. For 10 years now, the team at the Munga have been bringing you long, lonely gravel roads, but in a daunting, non-stop format. In a sense, the Munga ‘started off’ this gravel quest but in a format that left most competitors ragged by the end of Day 1.
But what if you could experience the same isolation, the lonely, iconic roads and vistas in a format where you are able to rest and recharge. Yip, that age old tried and tested stage race format. Well, wait no more. The Munga Team bring you the TKSR, the Trans Karoo Stage Race!
6 days and 6 stages, following the Munga route more or less but in reverse. But this time you get to start each day fresh, rested and ready for the next stage!
ROUTE AND RACE STAGES
The basics
The TKSR covers just under 1000km with nearly 7000m of ascent. It’s not too long or too steep – it’s just right! The route is divided into 6 stages, kicking off on Sunday and wrapping up the following Friday. It’s a point-to-point journey, so once you’re on your bike, there’s no hopping into a car until you cross the finish line!
This isn’t strictly a Gravel Bike race but rather a Gravel road race! You’re welcome to bring any weapon of your choice – Mountain Bike, Gravel Bike, Tandems, eBikes, Road Bikes 😊 and more.
THE ROUTE
The TKSR will start in the Matroosberg nature reserve, just 30mins out of Ceres in the Western Cape. It will then follow the Munga MTB route in reverse more or less, making its way across the Tankwa, up Ouberg pass, through Sutherland, then across the remote karoo traversing the towns of Fraserburg, Loxton and Britstown. The final stage will see you head from Vanderkloof Dam, across the Orange river then across spectacular roads to end at the Forever resort at Gariep Dam!
| Distance | Ascent | |
| Stage 1: Matroosberg to Da Doer Padstal, Tankwa Karoo. | 101km | 294m |
| Stage 2: Da Doer Padstal to Sutherland up Ouberg pass. | 118km | 1710m |
| Stage 3: Sutherland to Loxton. | 203km | 1111m |
| Stage 4: Loxton to Britstown | 192km | 786m |
| Stage 5: Britstown to Vanderkloof Dam | 187km | 964m |
| Stage 6: Vanderkloof Dam to Gariep Dam | 143km | 1282m |
| Total | 945km | 6935m |
UNPACKING THE ROUTE:
Stage 1: 101km – 294m
Matroosberg sits on the lush plateau just outside Ceres, where cherries and apples grow in abundance! But all too soon riders will drop down the infamous Bo-Swaarmoed and enter the Tankwa karoo. A long and straight gravel road blasts its way into the Tankwa as riders head along the famous R355, past the Tankwa Padstal, and then finally on to the remote Da Doer Padstal.
Mostly flat, mostly fast! Oh, and let us not forget, a tailwind for once! Well, probably…
Stage 2: 118km – 1710m
Another short stage but this has the monstrous Ouberg pass in the way! Now that riders have warmed up, some rolling roads slowly approach the escarpment and the notorious Ouberg pass. This will quickly shake out the field as riders grind their way to the top. From the top of the Roggeveld, riders will cross some more rolling hills and valleys before spilling into the quaint town of Sutherland.
Rolling hills plus the monster that is Ouberg! Grind you beast, grind!
Stage 3: 203km – 1111m
The longest stage but boy will it be fast! From Sutherland, a tar road will make short work of the climb up onto the astronomical plateau, then its fast and frantic all the way to Fraserburg and beyond! The kind of road that gravel bikes were designed for. If the tail wind shows up today, watch your speed! Straight as an arrow, fiery as flint and frenetic as the Japanese speed train, this stage will rip it up!
Straight, fast, friendly…enough said.
Stage 4: 192km – 786m
You are now in the heart of the karoo, and will be following roads that have eaten many a Munga rider up alive! Notorious for its brutal head winds and mind numbing vistas in the Munga, you might just have it too easy in reverse.. From Loxton, remote gravel roads head into quiet country, past abandoned farm houses until you finally spill out in the small town of Britstown, all in the daylight. Strange that!
Some rolling hills, some straight roads, plenty table top mountains to the left and right and endless vistas.
Stage 5: 187km – 964m
The end of the karoo is in sight…almost. From Britstown, the route follows more gravel roads into the final part of nowhere. Right at the end, a climb through the surprisingly wild Rolfontein nature reserve will bring riders to the refreshing sight of one of South Africa’ most spectacular dams, the Vanderkloof Dam.
Flat roads, rolling hills, and a final climb through a nature reserve.
Stage 6: 143km – 1282m
We have left the most spectacular for last! Riders will cross South Africa’s highest dam wall as we leave the small town and cross Vanderkloof Dam. Then its a tricky cross country section that you will need to watch your line before we spill out somewhere in the Freestate on remote roads. Flat roads will see us chase out way to the might and monstrous Gariep dam where we will end on the lapping shores of the Orange by the Forever resort.
Flat roads, some rolling hills and a tricky cross country piece. Wow!
Things Riders usually ask.
WHEN IS THE RACE
Saturday 20th July 2024
WHEN IS THE RACE
Saturday 20th July 2024
WHEN IS THE RACE
Saturday 20th July 2024
WHEN IS THE RACE?
19 to 26 September 2025
HOW MUCH DOES THE RACE COST TO ENTER?
The 2025 event is
Team of 2 – R49 500.00 (Team of two for the camping option)
Team of 2 – R62 500.00 Platinum upgrade (Guesthouses for a team of 2)
Solo – R 24 750.00 (Solo for the camping option)
Solo – R31 250.00 Platinum upgrade (Guesthouse for Solo – Possible Share)
T&C’s will apply
ARE THERE DIFFERENT RACE CATEGORIES?
There are 5 different categories. Solo, Mens open, women’s open, mens vet, women’s vet (older than 35), Mixed Teams and tandems.
IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF SOLO/TEAMS THAT CAN ENTER?
Currently, the cut-off is 200 individuals (Mixed Solo & Team)
IS THERE A QUALIFICATION RACE?
No
CAN I RIDE A TANDEM MOUNTAIN BIKE WITH A TEAMMATE?
YES
CAN I RIDE A CYCLOCROSS BIKE
Yep
HOW TECHNICAL IS THE ROUTE?
The route is predominantly non-technical (90%) and is suitable for Gravel bikes. The technical sections include Ouberg pass, which is ridable but is steep and loose, and the piece after Vanderkloof Dam, which has some rocky, rutted sections.
WILL I BE ABLE TO SCOUT THE ROUTE?
Most of the route is on public dirt roads, so these sections will be accessible to scout. You will not be allowed on the private sections
DO I NEED A SPONSOR?
There is no requirement for you to have a sponsor, but you are welcome to find your own one.
WHAT IS THE MUNGA GRIT POLICY ON DOPING?
WHEN DO THE RACE ENTRIES CLOSE?
One month before race start, or when we hit 200 entries.
WILL THERE BE TV COVERAGE OF THE RACE?
Potentially
WILL THERE BE TV COVERAGE OF THE RACE?
Maybe…
WILL THE ROUTE BE MARKED?
The route will be exclusively a GPS navigated route, but will not be difficult to follow. There are no markings along the route, so make sure you know how to use your gps!
WHAT IS THE ASCENT OF THE RACE?
TKG total ascent is 6935m
WHAT IS THE SHORTEST STAGE ON THE TKSR?
Stage 1, at 101km is the shortest stage.
WHAT IS THE LONGEST STAGE ON THE TKSR?
Stage 3, at 203km is the longest stage
CAN I LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE RIDING?
No. The race is a pairs only race so you need to be able to communicate quickly and clearly with your partner.
CAN I RIDE THE TKSR SOLO?
Yup!
CAN I USE TRI-BARS?
Yes
WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT IS PROVIDED?
Each stage has fully stocked water-points.
24hr medical teams on standby for every stage
All RV’s have tents, showers, toilets, and dining areas where full meals will be served.
DOES THE TKSR HAPPEN EVERY YEAR?
Yes
WHEN WILL PRIZE-GIVING TAKE PLACE?
Prize giving takes at 2pm on the Friday afternoon after the completion of Stage 6.
CAN I VOLUNTEER FOR THE TKSR?
We’re always on the look out for people who can help. Please forward a copy of your CV to jackblack@themunga.com
GETTING THERE AND BACK
How to get to the middle of nowhere, so you can cross the middle of nowhere, and end up back in the middle of nowhere, as easy as pie!
Getting to the start:
The race starts in the Matroosberg nature reserve, just over 2 hrs from the Cape Town International airport. Head north through the tunnel, then left to Ceres, through the town of Ceres and up onto the plateau of the Matroosberg.
Getting back from the finish:
The TKSR ends in the small town of Gariep on the banks of the giant Gariep Dam. Gariep is about 2hrs from Bloemfontein where daily flights will take you back to Joburg or Capetown. Gariep is also just off the N1 meaning you can quickly head north or south where ever you want to go.
Book a rental car with PACE, our rental partner and save some money!
Whether you are looking at hiring a car to get to the start, or getting home from the end, PACE has an answer. Check them out here.