WindlineAbout the race
Berg & Bush is a mountain bike stage race near Winterton in the Drakensberg foothills of KwaZulu-Natal. Riders base themselves at the Em'seni Camp race village on the banks of the Tugela river, and the organiser describes it as one of South Africa's oldest and most loved stage races.
History
The website notes that the event turns 20 in 2026. It paused briefly during the pandemic and returned in 2022. Standard Bank became the title sponsor in 2023, and the organiser's blog names Gary Green as founder.
The 2 Day
The 2 Day is the original format and is popular with families and groups. Both days start and finish at Em'seni. The distances are 60 km and 50 km, roughly 110 km in total, and riders aged 15 and over can enter. Day 1 climbs out of the Tugela valley past Spionkop Lodge, drops through Mount Alice Farm and then rides the Shongololo singletrack and the Big Red 4x4 track. The day's sting is the short, sharp Mike's Pass climb. Day 2 crosses the Tugela and climbs Brakfontein hill, then reaches the Tugela Morden game farm before tackling Spioenkop mountain, with a 4 km, 180 m climb of 50 switchbacks and a 15 km descent back to camp.
The 3 Day
The 3 Day is billed as a one-of-a-kind ride off the top of the Drakensberg and into the bushveld below. The organiser also lists a gravel tour that runs from the Johannesburg area to the race village.
Dates and entry
Entries for 2027 are open. The 2 Day runs on 29 and 30 May 2027, and the 3 Day on 4 to 6 June 2027. Solo riders are welcome. Entry includes meals, the race village and medical support on the route, while tents are optional and booked separately. Refunds up to 30 April 2027 are paid at 90 percent of the entry fee, and riders can also sell their place through an online substitution.
Where to watch
The race village at Em'seni Camp near Winterton is the hub, as every 2 Day stage starts and finishes there.
Weather
Late May to early June is the start of winter in the Drakensberg. Days are generally dry with cool to cold mornings and evenings, and weather in the mountains can change. This is a general seasonal description, not a forecast.