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Mountains, views, and a whole lot of dirt! That’s right, the Berg & Bush is back, and you’re invited.
The Standard Bank Berg & Bush is heading to the Drakensberg in May and June 2027, with two- and three-day biking options giving you the chance to enjoy flowing single tracks and game farms alongside some serious climbs.
The early-bird gets the discount, plus the preferred tent options, so take this as your sign.
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Choose your Berg & Bush adventure
Everyone likes options, which is why this is so great.
There are two main events to choose from:
- The 2-day, designed as the more family-friendly option
- The 3-day, which takes riders from the Drakensberg escarpment down into the KZN bushveld
Both offer plenty of riding, a race village atmosphere and the sort of scenery that makes stopping to admire the view feel like a perfectly legitimate excuse for catching your breath.
1. The Standard Bank Berg & Bush 2 Day
The original Berg & Bush event, the 2 Day is aimed at families, groups and riders looking for maximum fun without signing up for three days in the saddle.
Both days start and finish at the Em'seni race village, with manageable distances of approximately 60km and 50km. Riders aged 15 and over can enter.
The basics:
- Dates: 29–30 May 2027
- Distance: 110km over two days
- Cost: Team entry is R14,000 for two | Solo entry is R7,000
- Age: 15 years and older
- Race village: Em'seni
The route isn't short on scenery… or cheeky climbs. Day One heads out through the Tugela Valley, past Spioenkop Lodge and Mount Alice Farm, with descents, single track and game-filled trails along the way before riders tackle Mike's Pass.
The reward? Views across the Tugela River, followed by the fun of Puffadder Pass and Mazambane before returning along the river.
Day Two crosses the Tugela River before heading towards Brakfontein Hill and through a beautiful valley filled with acacia trees and aloes. Riders then head through farms and Tugela Morden game farm, where giraffe sightings are possible, before taking on the climb up Spioenkop Mountain.
The final 15km descent back to the race village promises to be one of the day's big highlights.
And for families and groups, there are fun category prizes including mother-and-child, husband-and-wife, and father-and-child teams. The Bushbaby category also gives school-going teams aged 15–19 the chance to compete, with R50 000 in total prize money.
2. The Standard Bank Berg & Bush 3 Day
Then there's the big one.
The 3 Day is described as three days of "whizz, bang and wow", with riders starting high in the Central Drakensberg before descending towards the bushveld below.
The basics:
- Dates: 4–6 June 2027
- Distance: 214km over three days
- Cost: Team entry is R18,000 for two | Solo entry is R9,000
- Registration: Thursday, 3 June at Em'seni Race Village
- Accommodation: Three nights; various tent options, self-camping or nearby B&Bs/hotels
- Airport transfers: Shuttles to and from OR Tambo are available
Day One starts at Cathedral Peak Wine Estate and takes riders through new single track, game farms, Tugela Valley bushveld and Mount Alice Farm before the final run into camp on the banks of the Tugela River.
Day Two follows the Tugela River, passing Spioenkop Lodge before riders tackle climbs, flowing trails, Mike's Pass, Puffadder Pass and Mazambane.
Day Three brings another crossing of the Tugela, farm roads, valleys and game farms before the big challenge: the climb up Spioenkop Mountain. The Boer Route includes a 4km climb with 180m of elevation and 50 switchbacks before the final 15km descent back to the race village.
In other words, this is not your average Sunday cycle around the block.
What you get
One of the big draws of Berg & Bush is the race village, which becomes home for the duration of the event.
For both events, entry includes:
- A goodie bag
- Meals
- Access to the chill zone
- 24-hour coffee
- Tea, juice and crunchies
- Hot showers
- Bike-washing facilities
- Medical support
- Charity-run water points staffed by local communities
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Where to stay
Accommodation is not included in the basic entry fee, allowing riders to choose from various tent options, self-camping, nearby B&Bs or hotels.
For the 2 Day, accommodation options include Standard, Kudu, Weaver, Kingfisher, Em'seni Room and FishEagle tents, as well as self-camping.
The 3 Day offers FishEagle tents, Em'seni Rooms, Kudu, Weaver and Kingfisher tents, plus self-camping.
Massages, physio, bike transport, bike mechanics, car shuttles and drinks from the race village pub are also available at an additional cost.
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There's a new gravel adventure too
For those who prefer their cycling with a little more gravel, 2027 also sees the launch of the Berg & Bush Gravel Tour, taking place from 31 May to 3 June.
The new event will take riders along gravel roads from the greater Johannesburg area, travelling through smaller towns and back roads towards Em'seni Camp – the home of mountain biking and Berg & Bush.
It's another way to make the journey to Berg & Bush part of the adventure.
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Time to get training
The combination of mountain trails, river crossings, game farms, single track, race-village hospitality and spectacular scenery is what makes the event about more than simply getting from A to B.
So dust off the bike, start working on those quads and get the group chat going. Berg & Bush 2027 entries are open – and the mountains are waiting.
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