Description
GINovation Trail – Let the fun beGIN!
Sat, 23 May 2026. 20km 15km, 10km, 5km
Exclusive Trail Running in a Private Game Reserve. Limited to 400 participants.
Venue: Lion & Safari Park – www.lionandsafaripark.com
Get ready for the ultimate fusion of fitness and flavour. Join us for an exclusive morning of trailblazing through a private game reserve, followed by a well-deserved celebration of South Africa’s finest craft gins.
Whether you’re a sunrise seeker or a casual hiker, the GINovation Trail offers a majestic escape into the wild, right on the banks of the Crocodile River.
Distance & Entry Fee:-
20km – R390 pp
15km – R370 pp
10km – R350 pp
5km – R330 pp
Children under 12 years – R180 pp
What’s Included in Your Entry: Your entry fee covers more than just a trail run; it’s an all-access pass to a premium game reserve experience. All participants will receive; The Ultimate Finisher’s Reward: A branded gin glass at the finish line. Complimentary Gin Tastings: Use your glass for a guided tasting of several sensational craft gins. On-Route Support: Fully stocked water points, game rangers, professional medical support, and clearly marked, exclusive trail access. The “Wild Africa” Vibe: A “chill zone” featuring live music, a professional photographer to capture your highlights, a pop up restaurant and a festive atmosphere at our “Wild Africa Pace Village”.
The Post-Trail Celebration: Once you’ve crossed the finish line, head over to our “Pace Village” to unwind on the lawns. The festivities include a Craft Gin Showcase: A comprehensive gin tasting featuring selections from at least five different breweries & Live Entertainment: Relax to the sounds of live music in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Start Time / Batches:
To ensure an exclusive experience, 50 runners will depart every 10 minutes. Registration opens at 06:00. Please arrive at least 45–60 minutes before your batch.
06h50 20km sunrise batch
07h00 / 07h10 15km batch
07h20 / 07h30 / 07h40 / 07h50 10km batch
08h00 / 08h10 / 08h20 / 08h30 5km batch
*** NOTE: There is a strict 3-hour cut-off (10:00 AM) due to reserve safety and ranger schedules and park gates will close at 10am sharp. Please be mindful of this when you choose your distance. If we feel any runners might not make it, we will reroute you.
Important Note: To maintain the quality of the experience & limit the impact on the reserve, entries are strictly limited to 400 participants so please book soon to avoid disappointment.
The Experience: Traverse over 1,000 hectares of pristine wilderness across the Lion & Safari Park and Mountain View. You’ll explore jeep tracks through wide-open plains and forests, passing iconic landmarks like Pumba Pools, Zebra Plains, and Lionsgate.
Difficulty: 3/5 (Perfect for all fitness levels; no extreme climbs).
Wildlife: Expect to see an abundance of wild animals on foot.
Walkers: Welcome on the 5km and 10km routes!
Timing & Lucky Draw: At Wild Africa Experiences, we value the journey over the podium…
Timings: Use your own device to track your run. Write your time at the “Timing Zone” for Discovery Vitality points (published online the following week).
Lucky Draw: No podium prizes here! Instead, drop your wristband into the bucket at the finish line for a chance to win fantastic prizes. This will be done virtually and prize-winners are announced in the week.
General Information: Ready for an adventure like no other? Join Wild Africa Experiences for an exclusive trail run through a privately owned wilderness paradise. This isn’t just a run; it’s a safari on foot! You’ll trek across diverse terrain, from the Ostrich Run to Lionsgate, surrounded by free-roaming wildlife and stunning savanna views.
Whether you’re chasing the sunrise over the city skyline or exploring the 1,000-hectare route at your own pace, the finish line is where the real celebration “beGINs.” Relax to live acoustic beats with a complimentary craft gin in hand and soak up the atmosphere of the Crocodile River.
Don’t miss out on this invigorating morning in nature—secure your spot today before they’re all gone!
Route: Whether you’re a seasoned trail runner or a weekend hiker, we have a path for you. Wild Africa Experiences has rated this trail a 3/5 (moderate difficulty), making it the perfect challenge whilst working up a thirst. With distances ranging from 5km to 20km, our routes meander through single and double-track paths, offering a mix of shaded riverbanks—home to magnificent birdlife—and sun-drenched open plains. Walkers and hikers are more than welcome to join the fun on the 5km & 10km routes!
Medals: Participants will receive a branded gin glass as your medal at the finish line along with a well-deserved gin tasting, including at least 5 fabulous craft gin breweries (for those who are 18 years & over). Don’t miss this trail & festival, it promises to be a great one!
Take Note:
Walkers / hikers are more than welcome to join us on the 5km & 10km routes
Cut off time is strictly 10:00 final finishing field
Thank you for supporting our ethos “Tread Lightly” – all we leave behind are our footprints
There will be No Refunds due to rain or lightning cancellation
No licence is necessary to take part in the run
Minimum age of 18 years to partake in any of the wine tasting activities
All athletes participate at their own risk
Toilet facilities available at start / finish
Good secure parking available
Refreshments table available at various points including water / coke
Late entries on the day will be charged an additional R30 per person (subject to availability should the event not be sold out)
General Information: Coffee & tea will be on sale before the run and there will be an optional runners breakfast available at the Lion & Safari Park afterwards.
Ready to ignite your senses? Lace up your shoes, grab your glass, and let’s head into the wild!
Your safety is our number one concern. Whilst so much has changed, some things will thankfully still stay the same. We will continue with our exclusive & intimate trail runs in some hidden away valley and runners can be rest assured that your safety remains our absolute priority.
Withdrawal, Substitutions, Roll-overs:
All entry fees for the Event are non-refundable / non-transferable under all circumstances permitted by law, including, but not limited to, cancellation of the Event for any reason including withdrawal of your participation in the Event, or change in the date, nature, or format of the Event.
7 days and more prior to the event, refunds or roll-overs are permissible at the sole discretion of the organizer and based on medical grounds only. For refunds, an administration fee of 25% will be applicable. Alternatively, roll overs are valid for a maximum of 3 months with a maximum of one date change. If the participant does not, for any reason utilize the entry within 3 months, their entry will no longer be valid nor refunded.
0-6 days prior to the event, NO refunds or roll-overs are allowed, however substitutions are permissible at any time leading up to the event. Kindly ensure you email us on explore@wildafricaexperiences.co.za in order to assist further.
You acknowledge that the Event may be cancelled or changed due to government directives, severe weather or any other factors that may be considered to threaten the safety of participants as determined by the Event organiser in its sole discretion. We have always strived to deliver on each & every event but due to the nature of our activities, some natural elements are out of our hands. Unfortunately, there is a no refund policy on bookings due to rain or lightening.
Enquiries
Contact : Wild Africa Experiences. Paul or Belinda
Contact number : 083 642 6698 / 081 018 2320 explore@wildafricaexperiences.co.za
