Desert Race returns to June date

This will be the second edition of the first locally-owned and managed 1000km desert race and features both car and bike racing. The event will roar into Botswana’s desert sands from June 19 to 21, promising bigger crowds and heightened action after the first edition in April drew fewer spectators. This year marked a historic milestone as the event is now fully locally-owned and managed following the departure of the 1000km Toyota Desert Race. Organised by the Botswana Motor Sport (BMS) in partnership with Cyro Motorsport Group, the race builds on the success of the 2025 Botswana Off Road Racing Championship (BORRC) and the landmark 2025 Sarona Kalahari 1000 Desert Race in Jwaneng.

The 2026 edition reinforces Botswana’s ability to host a world-class rally-raid entirely under local ownership.