A NEW HOME FOR THE TOYOTA 1000 DESERT RACE

It will be a case of positive change for the Toyota 1000 Desert Race, the only marathon event on the SACCS Championship calendar in Botswana next year.

Botswana has been home to the Toyota 1000 Desert Race since 1991, traversing thousands of kilometres in several areas including Gaborone, Mantshwabisi, Lentsweletau, Hatsalatladi and Kumakwane with the last stop being Jwaneng.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requires the race area to be changed every five years which necessitates the need to look for alternative areas. The relocation of the host venue is also good for the event as it musters new interest and provides new challenging terrain for competitors which is in line with building a sustainable future for the race, attracting new entrants and retaining the loyal competitors.

Various areas which could potentially host the new home from the event from 2019 onwards were assessed.  The Selebi-Phikwe region was selected as the most suitable, as it offers all the relevant race and infrastructure requirements for the success of the event.

SACCS will again enjoy the incredible support we have become accustomed to from the Botswana Government, BTO, BPS and the Land Boards as well as telecommunications giant Mascom who provide the much needed communication infrastructure and who have also been a partner of this great event for many years.
The relocation has also attracted two additional Botswana organisations in SPEDU, the organisation mandated with the diversification, growth and upliftment of the Selebi Phikwe region, and the Selebi Phikwe Town Council.

Selebi Phikwe is in Eastern Botswana approximately 400 kilometres north of Gaborone and 570 kilometres from Johannesburg.

Selebi Phikwe also offers a number of hotels and guest houses and a good commercial infrastructure which includes commodity stores, banks, restaurants and fast food outlets.

To assist with your planning, we have met with the of the larger accommodation establishments, all within five kilometres from Race HQ and DSP, and obtained rates and booking codes.  All bookings to be made direct.  Bookings will be on a first come first served basis and the terms and conditions as stipulated by them.

Hotel Selebi Tel +267 262 2009/ +267 76776190  hotelselebi2015@gmail.com
Syringa Lodge Tel +267 261 0444 email resp@syringa.co.bw
Hotel Stonehouse Tel +267 260 0553 email davidangelmaruping@yahoo.com
For additional accommodation establishments, not visited by us, but recommended by BTO and a host of other information – click here to find out more.

To accommodate the number of competitors wishing to camp, a Bivouac offering good portable ablutions and food and beverage will be established at DSP.  Details will be available well in advance of the event.

The 2019 Toyota 1000 Desert Race will again include two rounds of the BMS motorcycle championship, a motorcycle invitation race and a round of the prestigious Road to Dakar Challenge.

We look forward to a very successful 2019 Toyota 1000 Desert Race and will keep the information flowing.