Roof of Africa: Do you have what it takes to take on the world’s oldest enduro race?

THE WORLD’S oldest hard enduro race, the Roof of Africa, is more than simply a race. Rather, it’s a legacy that originated back in 1967.

This year, participants can again look forward to a well-organised event, mainly due to the fact that organisers have committed to sportsmanship, and that no participant will be left behind, thanks to advanced live tracking.

There will be a big screen for updates and information on the day's event, as well as highly skilled rescue services including emergency helicopter support.

Note the dates

This year, the race will take place from November 28 to 30, after the originally scheduled date of November 6-9 was revised following the organisers receiving valuable input from participants. It was particularly school and university-age riders, who urged a reconsideration of the dates to better accommodate their participation.

The organisers, recognising the importance of these young riders in shaping the future of the sport, undertook thorough discussions with stakeholders before moving the date to the end of the month.

Racers who have been to past Roof of Africa races will no doubt remember that the race often feels like it is made up of relentless, never-ending ascents, with riders often racing above the 3,000m altitude mark.

Spanning 250km to 350km across three days, the Roof of Africa offers unprecedented vistas of the majestic Maloti Mountains, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all involved.

Lesotho closed for ‘training’

But please note, organisers recently announced that no more ‘Roof’ training will be allowed in Lesotho. This means that many areas – specifically around the Maseru Mall, Mount Maseru, Matsieng, Morija, Abebe, Abele, and Nyakasoba – are off-limits to Roof participants.

Any rider found riding in these areas will be immediately disqualified from the Roof event. Organisers put these measures in place to ensure a fair and outstanding experience for everyone at the Roof of Africa 2024.

Limited entries still available

With only four weeks left until the Roof of Africa 2024, organisers were thrilled to announce a record number of entries this year, and currently, only a few spots remain.

For those interested in the adventure of a ‘high time’, please note that all entries will close by end of day on Friday, November 1, 2024.

Please note, no entries will be accepted after this date.

Organisers have appealed to all registered riders who have yet to complete payment that they please ensure that their payment is made by November 1 to secure their spot, as entering without full payment does not finalise any rider’s entry.

Only completed payments will guarantee participation. This means that if payment is not received by the deadline, unfortunately, the entry will be cancelled.

To find out more

For more information on the race, including details on entries, planning, accommodation and so much more, even FAQs, please visit the Roof of Africa website, by clicking HERE.

• Oh, one more thing, in addition to the race itself and all the thrills it offers, the Roof of Africa team is thrilled to bring an exciting new twist to this year’s event with a revamped ‘Round the Houses’ route!

Due to increasing traffic in Maseru, closing the two main city arteries to and from the border for four hours has become challenging. After months of engaging discussions with stakeholders in Lesotho, race organisers have crafted a fresh route that’s even more thrilling, promising an incredible experience for all riders.

Round the Houses is a mandatory event for all participants.

Event Details

Location: The event will be based entirely at the Mall of Maseru, eliminating the need for transfers or liaison to the city.

Mall Set-Up Time: Opens at 5:30am

Race Start Time: 8:30am

Start Line Location: In front of the PUMA garage at the Mall entrance roundabout