There are five stages ranging from 28 - 60 kilometers over five days. The stages are arranged to cover the most spectacular and varied part of the area. Each stage consists of several legs whereby competitors must pass through a checkpoint to collect water and where medical assistance is also available. Checkpoints are stationed roughly every 15km throughout each stage.

Stage 1: 42 Kilometers
Area: Private Game Farms around Sesriem
The race begins with a slight and gradual incline across dry bushveld. The terrain is a mix of grassy plains, rocky hills and dry river beds. Competitors will be treated to awesome views of the landscape upon reaching the summit of a narrow mountain pass. Wildlife is regularly visible and competitors will be treated to sightings of springbok, oryx, zebras and ostrich.

Stage 2: 44 Kilometers
Area: Naukluft National Park
The course traverses dry riverbeds and then heads through scattered vegetation and then into a dry big open gravel plain. Hereafter, competitors will get a taste of running over their first dunes and the trail becomes thick red dune sand.

Stage 3: 44 Kilometres
Area: Private Game Farms around Sesriem
Day 3 offers a tougher test of the competitors’ navigation skills. The scenery is magnificent and wildlife is plentiful. Competitors will have all types of terrain thrown at them in one stage: Sandy river-beds, rocky ground and large grasslands.

Stage 4: 55 Kilometres
Area: Namib Naukluft National Park
The race heads towards the mighty red dunes, across the Sesriem Canyon and into the Namib Naukluft National Park. The summit of Dune 45 offers a daunting challenge as competitors head towards the stage finish line.

Stage 5: 28 Kilometers
Area: Sossusvlei/Naukluft National Park
It may be shorter than the rest of the stages but this is when the competitors will really challenge through the dunes. The last 11km will be take competitors right into the mighty red dunes through the “Dead Vlei” and into the world famous “Sossusvlei”. Sightings of oryx are guaranteed in this area.