Nedbank and Mlilwane are excited to welcome back Imvelo MTB Classic after COVID-19 made it nearly impossible to organise events. The race is set to happen on the 3rd September 2022 at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, and entries are now open.
With the increase of outdoor lovers we are expecting the numbers to be high this year; that’s why entries will be closed off at 450 cyclists. Entries have been opened and the entry form can be accessed on www.imvelo.co.sz.
In person registration may become available at a later date. In previous years, you could manually register by visiting either Big Game Parks Central Reservations Office, Hlane Royal National Park or at Eswatini’s Adventure Sport shops in Mbabane or Manzini. As it currently stands, entry is online only and limited to 450 entries. Click here to enter online.
Excitingly the rates for the race have been kept in place just to give the cyclist the opportunity to enjoy Mlilwane – “An Outdoor Lover’s Paradise”. The event will focus also on the family fun side; with jumping castles, face paint, food stalls, and music being part of the event. Prizes for our top cyclist will be of monetary value, accommodation or activity option across parks (Hlane Royal National Park, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, KaMsholo Bushveld Safaris and Chubeka Trail) with many more prizes from the various sponsors.
The annual mountain biking competition is historically held in June at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, though alternative arrangements have been made to hold the event in September this year to allow for plenty of planning and preparation time so the event is a huge success after the two year hiatus due to COVID. The event will once again be sponsored by Nedbank Swaziland and Big Game Parks. The race comprises of a series of races over different distances, the longest being over 65km! Of course, as with any great Eswatini event, a fantastic party for all cyclists follows the race.
Since 2000, when Imvelo first took place (then known as Ngulube MTB Classic until it adopted the name of Imvelo in 2004), it has been raising money for various community projects. Nedbank Swaziland has been a sponsor for a number of years and with their sponsorship and the race entry fees collected, funds have accumulated in the Big Game Parks Projects account. These funds have been used strictly for community projects and the value of money in this account became such that the Hlabazonkhe community project turned out be a huge success so far. To be a part of this and sponsor the event, please click here.
Big Game Parks has had 19 years’ experience in organizing an extremely successful Mountain biking event and this year is no different. Our 4 different race categories (+-65km, 35km,22km and 12.5km) is set to challenge each individually from the challenging Nyonyane Mountains to the less challenging but beautiful breath-taking scenery and the event being in a reserve makes it even more enticing.
Registration is available at the following opportunities:
01 September – Mliwane Wildlife Sanctury – Esangweni Gate 13:00pm – 19:00pm
02 September – Mlilwane Wlidlife Sanctuary – Esangweni Gate 10:00 am – till late
03 September – Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary – Esangweni Gate 05:00 am
Entry fees are as follows:
Nedbank +/- 65km Classic E440.00
Oracle 35km Challenge E370.00
Lactalis 22km Family Fun Ride E255.00
Lactalis 12.5km Hoglet E220.00
There will be limited accommodation available at Mlilwane Rest Camp, Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge and Sondzela Backpackers. Book now to avoid disappointment.
For more information on the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary where the event is taking place, please take a look at our dedicated page here.