The Skukuza Half Marathon is a unique and challenging 21.1km race held annually in South Africa’s iconic Kruger National Park. The event typically takes place on a Saturday in early August, a time of year when the weather is warm but not excessively hot, and the landscape is the dry, leafless bushveld of the late winter season.

The course is located in and around the Skukuza staff village, the administrative hub of the park 250 miles from Johannesburg. This gives runners the privileged opportunity to run through the heart of one of Africa’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries. The terrain is a mix of tarred roads and well-graded gravel, with runners navigating both within the village and out into the surrounding bush.

The route is renowned for its undulating nature, featuring numerous short but significant climbs and dips. Participants are often surprised by the challenging elevation changes. For safety, the race course is patrolled by armed rangers and a helicopter to ensure that no dangerous wildlife, such as elephants or lions, stray too close to the runners.

Learn more at krugerparkmc.co.za. Entries open in October.