Best Ultra Marathons in Africa for 2026 | Ultra X
Van de historische Comrades Marathon en de spectaculaire Two Oceans Marathon in Zuid-Afrika tot de adembenemende en afwisselende Ultra X Marokko, wij zetten de top ultramarathons in Afrika voor 2025 op een rijtje.
Best Ultramarathons in Africa (2026 Guide)
Africa is a continent of extremes, and its ultramarathons reflect that—from the rolling hills and volcanic trails of islands to the vast deserts and dramatic mountains of the mainland. If you are looking for an unforgettable Africa ultra marathon , 2026 offers incredible options where runners can choose from multi-day stage races, beginner-friendly 50 km trails, and iconic road ultras like Comrades or Two Oceans. Whether you’re chasing epic landscapes, cultural immersion, or just a challenging adventure, Africa offers some of the most diverse ultra experiences on the planet. Below, we’ve rounded up the top African ultras for 2026,
including challenging Ultra X events and well-supported races perfect for first-time ultra runners.
Quick Summary: Top African Ultras for 2026
● Best for Expedition-Style Adventure: Ultra X South Africa (October 2026) – Billed as one of the most demanding events in the series, this premier South Africa ultra covers around 330 km over six consecutive days through the wild and dramatic landscapes of the Cederberg Conservancy.
● Best for Extreme Desert Endurance: Ultra X Sahara (March 2026) – A dramatic Sahara ultra marathon set in Morocco’s Chegaga region, where runners tackle vast sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and dry desert valleys under the intense sun.
● Best for Savannah & Wildlife Encounters: Kimbia Kenya (February 2026) – Weaving between forests, savannahs, and rolling hills in the scenic Nakuru region , this well-supported race offers approachably shorter distances (56 km) and common wildlife sightings
Ultra X Rwanda
Date: January 2026
● Difficulty: Intermediate
● Distance: Various: 50km – 110km
This multi-stage Ultra X race takes place in the rolling hills and lush valleys of northern Rwanda’s Burera and Musanze districts, with views of Volcanoes National Park and iconic twin lakes. The two-day 110 km option tests your legs over scenic trail terrain, while the 50 km race offers a more accessible yet still rewarding challenge. With coffee and banana fields, lakeside paths and cultural immersion, it’s an inspiring way to start the ultra season.
Cape Verde Ribeira Trail: A Scenic Island Race
● Date: April 2026
● Difficulty: Novice
● Distance: 53km or 95km
Set on one of Cape Verde’s volcanic islands, this ultra offers a mix of trail and coastal running with incredible island views. The trails are runnable, with some technical ridges, but generally less punishing than high-altitude mountain or desert ultras. Runners navigate lava rock paths, tropical forests, and cliffside trails with ocean vistas at nearly every turn. The combination of scenic beauty, cultural immersion, and manageable challenge makes it an excellent choice for intermediate runners or first-time African ultra travelers.
Kameraden Marathon: De ultieme menselijke race
De Comrades is een afstandsrace van 90 km die plaatsvindt in Zuid-Afrika. Dit is een van de oudste marathons, voor het eerst gehouden in 1921 met 48 deelnemers. Nu is dit een van de succesvolste en meest gerespecteerde marathons waaraan in 2024 meer dan 22.000 mensen meededen. Dit evenement wisselt elk jaar van richting en wordt Up of Down genoemd. In 2025 wordt de race een Down Run.
Kimbia Kenya: A Scenic Savannah and Wildlife Ultra
● Date: February 2026
● Difficulty: Medium
● Distance: 56km or 96km
Kimbia Kenya takes runners through the scenic Nakuru region, weaving between forests, savannahs, and rolling hills. Wildlife sightings are common, adding an element of adventure and unpredictability to the race. The shorter 56 km distance is approachable for those moving up from marathons, while the 96 km option offers a longer, more endurance-focused challenge. The race is well-supported, with aid stations and local volunteers providing a welcoming atmosphere for both domestic and international runners.
Ultra X Tanzania: The Epic Kilimanjaro Stage Race
● Date: February 2026
● Difficulty: Intermediate
● Distance: 220km
Ultra X Tanzania is a true adventure ultra set around Mount Kilimanjaro, traversing savannahs, forest trails, and lakeside paths with wildlife encounters along the way. Spread across five stages, this race tests endurance, recovery, and pacing, with runners sleeping in camp each night and tackling varied terrain daily. The African sunrise over Kilimanjaro, combined with the challenge of long, uneven trails, creates an unforgettable experience for experienced ultra runners. It’s a race that blends serious competition with the beauty and unpredictability of East African landscapes, ideal for those seeking a multi-day expedition-style ultra.
Salt Pans Ultra Marathon: A Vast Desert Running Experience
● Date: September 2026
● Difficulty: Novice
● Distance: 50km & 100km
This unique race traverses the Central Kalahari salt pans, offering flat but exposed desert terrain with intense sun and dry conditions. While elevation is minimal, heat management and mental endurance are key to completing the course. The race provides a sense of vastness and isolation, where runners are treated to endless horizons and the stark beauty of the African desert. It’s a highly scenic and unusual ultra for runners seeking something very different from forests or mountains.
Ultra X Sahara: Conquer this Epic Sahara Ultra Marathon
● Date: March 2026
● Difficulty: Intermediate
● Distance: 220km
The Ultra X Sahara is one of the most dramatic and extreme races in Africa, set in Morocco’s Chegaga region. Participants run across vast sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and dry desert valleys under intense sun by day, and camp under star-filled skies by night. Navigation, heat management, and endurance are critical, making this race suitable only for experienced ultra runners. Beyond the physical challenge, the race delivers a surreal desert experience, where the silence, endless horizons, and night sky become part of the adventure itself.
Global Limits Sao Tome: A Lush Tropical Island Adventure
● Date: February 2026
● Difficulty: Advanced
● Distance: 130km & 200km
Set on the lush, tropical island of São Tomé, this ultra covers thick jungles, volcanic hills and coastal paths in one of Africa’s least-visited nations. The landscape is tropical and humid, which adds a distinct challenge compared with desert or mountain ultras. Racers often move through rainforest trails, cross rivers and climb volcanic slopes, making for a highly
varied and scenic route. It’s a rare and vibrant race that combines African island culture with serious run distances.
Le Treg Algeria Trail: A Dramatic Desert and Oasis Race
● Date: November 2026
● Difficulty: Intermediate
● Distance: Various: 45km – 180km
In the heart of Algeria’s Sahara, this trail ultra weaves through the desert and oasis landscapes near Timimoun. The run combines flat stretches, dunes and compact desert trails that are runnable yet still mentally taxing. Timimoun’s dramatic red-sand vistas and historic oasis towns make this a visually unforgettable event. It’s perfect if you want an off-the-beaten-path Sahara run with local culture at every checkpoint.
Ultra X South Africa: The Premier South Africa Ultra Marathon
● Date: October 2026
● Difficulty: Advanced
● Distance: 330km
Ultra X South Africa is billed as one of the most demanding events in the Ultra X series, a true expedition-style multi-stage race through the wild and dramatic landscapes of the Cederberg Conservancy and Western Cape. Over six consecutive days, runners cover around 330 km of varied terrain, from flowing singletrack cut by locals to steep climbs, remote gorges, vineyards, orchards and hidden wilderness trails. Each day’s distance and elevation can vary significantly, with stages including runs of 50 km, 55 km, 60 km, an 80 km leg and a shorter final stage, making pacing, recovery and resilience critical. Nights are spent in an exclusive camp under canvas, where competitors rest, refuel, and share stories beneath starry skies before tackling the next rugged terrain. This isn’t just a race, it’s an immersive adventure that tests strength, grit and spirit in one of South Africa’s most beautiful yet unforgiving landscapes.
Ultrarunning in Africa is about more than distance, it’s about adventure, landscape, and immersion in some of the world’s most striking environments. From desert dunes and volcanic islands to jungle trails and remote savannahs, African ultras deliver a sense of scale and wildness that few places can match. With a growing mix of accessible 50 km races, iconic road ultras, and expedition-style stage events like Ultra X, the continent offers something for runners at every stage of their journey. If you’re looking for a 2026 ultra that combines physical challenge with cultural depth and unforgettable scenery, Africa is hard to beat.
Wil je meer ongelooflijke ultramarathons uit alle continenten zien? Onlangs hebben we de: