Waterberg offers quality accommodation

Competitors in the Liberty Waterberg Encounter will have a top-quality range of accommodation to choose from when the mountain-bike race is held near Bela-Bela in Limpopo next month.

CAPTION: Entrants in the Liberty Waterberg Encounter mountain-bike race near Bela-Bela in Limpopo from June 7 to 9 can opt for the luxury tented accommodation option at the Elements Private Golf Estate for the Friday and Saturday nights. Photo: Gerrie Kriel/Twin Productions SA

The three-day event takes place from June 7 to 9 and will provide riders with a memorable experience as they traverse trails through the farms of the region and bushveld terrain.

ASG Events chief executive Erick Oosthuizen said included in the overall package was luxury tented accommodation at one of South Africa’s prized bushveld destinations in the Elements Private Golf Estate.

“This five-star rated race village adds great value to the entry package and has the additional perk of being the accommodation venue for the Friday and Saturday nights,” he said.

“The first stage, which starts at the Sondela Nature Reserve, finishes at Elements and the second stage starts and finishes at the Golf Estate.”

He emphasised the up-market nature of the tented accommodation.

“This is certainly not your average camping tent, because it comes with
comfortable beds and mattresses, white linen, soft duvets and pillows.

“In addition, the tents will contain bedside tables, vanity mirrors, electric lanterns, blankets, carpets, waste-paper bins and chairs, so that should all add to the experience.”

The accommodation package for the two nights includes the race entry fee and all meals while at the race village.

Mindful of the fact that Bela-Bela is within comfortable driving distance of the major metropolitan areas of Pretoria and Johannesburg, Oosthuizen said they also offered the basic package, which excluded accommodation and all meals.

“However, this does include breakfast and lunch on all race days and is obviously convenient for those who don’t require accommodation.”

As with the Winelands Encounter, the Waterberg offers packages in both the team and solo categories.

While emphasising the convenience of booking to stay at the Elements Private Golf Estate, Oosthuizen said there was also accommodation available at the Sondela Nature Reserve for those who wanted to pursue that option.

One of the country’s most popular game reserves, the Sondela Nature Reserve will be the venue for the start of the race, while the third stage also finishes there.

There is a variety of accommodation at Sondela to suit the individual rider’s needs and these range from the top-end bush lodges to four-star self-catering chalets, as well as a caravan park and a tented camp.

The Waterberg is the third and final event of the Liberty Encounter Series, which started with the seven-stage TransCape MTB Encounter from George to Franschhoek in February, followed by the Winelands Encounter near Paarl in April.

Entries for the race close on May 22.

For more details on the event, go to www.waterbergencounter.co.za.