Great Zuurberg Collection glamping it up with Africamps

The accommodation offering at the Great Zuurberg Trek and Great Zuurberg Trek E-edition just got a whole lot more interesting with the launch of Africamps Addo at Hayterdale Trails, a mere 8km from the race village.

The Great Zuurberg Trek and its sister event, the Rubicon Great Zuurberg Trek E-edition, will be glamping it up later this month.

Already renowned as boutique mountain and e-bike offerings at Zuurberg in the Greater Addo area, riders and their families can now also settle in for the respective race weekends at Africamps Addo.

It is the luxury camping brand’s first location in the Eastern Cape and the accommodation option could not have come at a better time with the GZT taking place from May 25 to 28 and the GZT-E from June 2 to 4.

For those who want to book their own accommodation for events in the Great Zuurberg Collection, glamping among thickets of indigenous fynbos while hearing the gentle sounds of nature at play may just be the answer.

The Addo location, the 16^th in Africamps’ national stable, lies at the foot of the Zuurberg mountains on the Hayterdale Trails property. It gives access to 50km of scenic mountain biking, trail running and hiking routes through yellowwood forests and valley bushveld.

Hayterdale co-owner Trevor Hayter, who organises the GZT and GZT-E, welcomed the addition of Africamps as it allowed more riders to enter while giving them the chance to bring their families along to explore the region’s finest attributes.

“In the past we have not offered supporter packages but, with Africamps coming into the picture, this is a great opportunity for folk to bring their loved ones to enjoy the events with us,” he said.

Canvas side panels on the tents can be rolled up to offer spectacular views of the valley below. These also come equipped with hammocks – the perfect antidote to tired muscles at the end of a day’s riding.

Over and above an indoor fireplace, comfortable beds, outdoor braai and private outdoor wood-fired hot tub, there is also an L-shaped viewing deck to catch the first and last rays of the day.

“We are definitely seeing a trend towards people seeking out a more relaxed atmosphere with more creature comforts,” said Hayter.

“To have full or self-catering options for entrants definitely speaks to this trend. Hayterdale is only 8km from the race village, so it ticks all the boxes.”

While the mountain biking presents sweeping views of the Addo Elephant National Park and even the opportunity to ride sections not frequented by the public, the GZT and GZT-E have also become must-do events on the national MTB calendar for the range of amenities and services on offer.

Bike transfers, washes and storage, daily massages and even a courtesy shuttle service from the Gqeberha airport and back are all available.

The Platinum packages include a three-night stay at the four-star Zuurberg Mountain Village – which doubles as the event’s race village – while the full-service Gold packages boast well-equipped luxury tents on the same premises.

Those who opt for Silver packages will overnight in tents at Hayterdale Trails.

Finally, those choosing the Bronze options and who don’t want to commute between the city and Zuurberg between stages, can consider superb accommodation options at Figtree, an exclusive mountain safari lodge some 7km from the race village, the Addo Elephant National Park or Africamps.

“If one sums up the value of the benefits in the all-in cost of an entry, there is no doubt that we offer great value to riders when compared to other three-day MTB events,” said Hayter.

“It is clear from the feedback we get that we live up to our tagline, ‘Great Indoors, Great Outdoors, Great Impact’, which adds up to great value.”

Entries for the GZT closed last week but feel free to enquire whether there are any cancellations. Bookings for the Rubicon GZT-E close on May 19.