The offer includes race bib for the MDS adventure, 4 nights in a double room in the main race hotel in Swakopmund and 3 days in Etosha National Park.
MDS NAMIBIA
Registration
MDS NAMIBIA
The MDS Namibia 2024 will unfortunately not take place. This edition required the participation of at least 200 people to take place, and this objective was not met.
We remain convinced that this exceptional destination should host an MDS. We are putting in place solutions with our local partners and the government to open up this race to a wider audience in 2025.
CONCEPT
An exceptional new destination!
In May 2024, the MDS will take you where no other race goes: to the heart of the Namib, the oldest desert in the world.
Get ready for an absolutely MAGICAL 11-day program.
You'll spend 4 days in the magnificent Namib Desert, with 2 nights before and 2 nights after the race in a hotel in Swakopmund. Followed by 3 days on Safari in Etosha National Park, one of Africa's most impressive nature reserves.
Get ready to meet iconic wild animals (elephants, giraffes, rhinos, lions, leopards and many more) in their natural environment. A magical experience, combining wonder and emotion, to round off your adventure in Namibia
⚠ Please note that the event will only take place with a minimum of 200 registrants. The maximum capacity is 250 participants.
Discover what awaits you
DISTANCES
You will have the possibility to choose between 3 different distances: 70, 100 or 120km, divided into 3 stages.
Here is the breakdown:
- Stage 1: around 25 to 30km
- Stage 2: around 20, 40 or 60km
- Stage 3: around 25 to 30km
The stages of the MDS can be completed at your own pace: walking or running.
More info on the distances and format here
Program of the adventure
ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME
Join the adventure serenely
We have set up ultra-flexible registration, cancellation and postponement conditions, so that you can book with complete peace of mind.
Free postponement
If you have any doubts about the adventure, you can postpone your participation free of charge until January 7, 2024
Cancellation conditions
Our conditions allow you to cancel without charge until November 12, 2023
Refund in case of cancellation
In case of cancellation of the event by the organization, you will be refunded 100% of the amount you paid within 60 days.
The offers
Depending on the package you choose, you will share your hotel room with one or two other participants. Once you've registered, you'll be able to enter the name(s) of the person(s) you'd like to share the hotel with.
If you don't fill in any details, you'll be randomly allocated a room with people who speak the same language as you. Rooms are non-mixed, unless otherwise requested.
- Bib for the adventure
- Transport in bus and pick-up throughout the MDS
- 4 nights' half-board hotel accommodation in Swakopmund (2 before the race, 2 after)
- 3 nights on the MDS bivouac, in an individual tent
- Medal and finisher t-shirt
- Dinner and Gala evening
- 3 nights in camp in Etosha National Park on full board
ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Following your adventure in the Namib Desert, you'll discover Etosha National Park, an exceptional natural treasure.
It's renowned for its diverse and abundant wildlife and is considered one of Africa's top safari destinations. A wide variety of animals can be found there, including elephants, lions, cheetahs, black rhinos and giraffes, as well as numerous bird species.
You'll be transferred from Swakopmund to Etosha National Park, where you'll stay in a camp inside the park. During the day, you can explore the park and observe the animals in their natural habitat. In the evenings, you will have time to rest, enjoy the camp life and its facilities.
This is a picturesque camp set in the middle of nature. A catering offer will be available, as a private room with air-conditioned accommodation.
The camp offers a magical view of a waterhole where the animals come together. You’ll experience total immersion on safari!
We'll take care of everything: travel, accommodation, safari, meals... All you have to do is let yourself be carried away on a journey that will make your MDS adventure even more memorable.
Offer details below
ETOSHA PARK PROGRAM
Friday, May 17
- Transfer from Swakopmund to Etosha National Park (approx. 6-hour drive)
- Dinner
- Night in the camp
Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19
- Breakfast
- Depart for a "Game Drive" with experienced local guides. Explore the reserve in search of animals.
- Lunch
- Observation of the animals from a waterhole, offering new opportunities for observation.
- Dinner
- Night in the camp
Monday, May 20
- Breakfast
- Transfer from the camp to Windhoek Airport
THE NAMIB
The Namib Desert is the oldest and driest desert in the world. It stands out from other deserts for its unique diversity and breathtaking scenery.
It is characterized by vast stretches of dunes, among the most impressive in the world, some reaching heights of over 300 meters.
These dunes are sculpted by powerful, ever-changing winds. Their colors vary according to the angle of the sun, creating sumptuous shades ranging from deep red to bright orange.
The flora and fauna of the Namib Desert are remarkable. It is the habitat of a wide variety of plants and animals adapted to life in extreme conditions.
This edition of the MDS Namibia will be physically demanding due to the predominance of sand throughout the route. Although some parts of the stages feature compact sand, much of the route will be made up of loose sand, making progression more difficult.
A LIFE-CHANGING ADVENTURE
INFORMATION - NAMIBIA 2024
INFO HOW TO GET THERE ?
You need to book your flight tickets to arrive at Windhoek International Airport (WDH), capital of Namibia.
Transfers between the airport and the hotel will be organized on Friday, May 10. To benefit from the transfer, you need to arrive before 2pm.
WHICH FLIGHTS TO CHOOSE ?
It is imperative that you take modifiable and refundable plane tickets, so that in the event of injury, postponement or cancellation, you can recover the sums paid.
The organization is not responsible for any additional costs (plane tickets or other) incurred by participants.
Airline tickets must be booked for May 10, 2024, to Windhoek International Airport (WDH), Namibia. You need to arrive before 2pm to catch the shuttle bus.
For your information, if you are coming from Europe, you will probably be flying via Frankfurt in Germany or Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, which is very common for Namibia.
On the return journey, shuttles will be organized on Monday, May 20. Given the journey times involved, it's best to opt for a return flight after 4pm.
PROGRAM OF THE WEEK
Friday: arrival in Namibia, transfer and night in hotel in Swakopmund.
Saturday: technical checks and free program in Swakopmund, overnight in hotel.
Sunday: departure for the desert, first stage, night in bivouac.
Monday: second stage, night in bivouac.
Tuesday: rest day, night in bivouac.
Wednesday: third stage, night in hotel.
Thursday: free day in Swakopmund, night in hotel.
Friday: transfer to Etosha National Park, night in the camp
Saturday: safari drive in Etosha National Park, free program, night in the camp
Sunday: safari drive in the park, free program, night in the camp.
Monday: transfer to Windhoek airport, end of MDS adventure.
DISTANCES
You can choose between 3 distance formats: 70, 100 or 120 km, spread over 3 stages.
These distances are given as an indication and are likely to be revised downwards according to the type of terrain and the difference in altitude of the routes.
WHAT DO I TAKE WITH ME ?
If it’s your first MDS, you probably have a lot of questions. Once you register, we'll send you a full checklist of the material, but here is the principal to have per person:
- Backpack plus 2 water bottles (type Ultrabag 20L)
- T-shirt + running shorts
- Trail shoes + anti-sand gaiters
- Cap and sunglasses
- Change: T-shirt + light shorts / leggings
- Windbreaker jacket for the evening and morning
- Sleeping bag + mattress for the night
- Hygiene products (sun cream, soap, antiseptic...)
- Toilet paper
- Food and kitchen utensils (cooking utensils, lighter, fire pellets...)
You can bring a large suitcase with more clothes, which you will leave at the hotel and find after the MDS adventure.
Find more details by clicking here
PRICES
The prices for the MDS Namibia 2024 are the following:
- MDS Namibia offer – main hotel: €3 950/person
- MDS Namibia offer – secondary hotel: €3 850/person
The prices are individual.
Participants staying at the secondary hotel will have to go to the main hotel to take advantage of the dinners included to their offer (for the nights in Swakopmund). The main hotel is at 5 minutes walking distance.
INCLUDED IN THE REGISTRATION
- Bib for the adventure
- All bus transfers from the airport, desert and Etosha National Parc
- 4 nights' half-board hotel accommodation in Swakopmund (2 before the race, 2 after)
- 3 nights on the bivouac, in an individual tent
- Medal and finisher t-shirt
- Dinner and Gala evening
- 3 nights in camp in Etosha National Park on full board
- 2 Safari days
Cancellation conditions
- Cancellations are possible without charge until November 12, 2023
- From November 13, 2023 to December 10, 2023 included, 25% of the total amount of the registration will be kept by the organization in case of cancellation.
- From December 11, 2023 to January 7, 2024 included, 50% of the total amount of the registration will be kept by the organization in case of cancellation.
- After January 7, 2024, no refund is possible, however it will still be possible to postpone your registration according to the conditions of the event.
Postponement conditions:
- Up to and including January 7, 2024 included, postponement to the next edition is possible for free.
- From January 8, 2024 to February 11, 2024 included: €450 fee for a postponement.
- From February 12, 2024: no postponement possible.
SAFETY
During the race, you will be surrounded by the medical and organization teams from the beginning to the end of the stages.
The courses are marked with stakes every 50/100m, so it is almost impossible to get lost.
You will all be equipped with a GPS beacon with an alarm button, allowing the organization to locate you at any time.
A medical tent is present at the bivouac, where you can go at any time.
PAYMENT TERMS
You can pay by:
- Credit card
1, 3 or 5 instalments
- Bank transfer
1 instalment
The number of instalments may vary depending on the date of registration. The registration will be 100% validated once the total amount of the registration is paid.
ABOUT US
The MARATHON DES SABLES are unforgettable races and adventures in timeless destinations.
A week-long adventure combining challenge, encounters and spectacular scenery.
The MDS events are organized by WAA, a French brand of innovative clothing and accessories dedicated to the outdoors, particularly desert environments.
REGULATIONS
MDS in the press
Equip yourself for the MDS
WAA Ultra has been developing specialized products for MDS participants since 2009.