This package includes your race bib for the MDS Raid adventure and 4 nights in a double room at a hotel in Swakopmund. This hotel will also host the technical and medical checks, as well as the gala evening.
MDS RAID NAMIBIA
2nd edition – from April 25 to May 02, 2026
MDS RAID NAMIBIA
One Team One Dream
2nd edition – from April 25 to May 02, 2026
Registration opening on June 18th 2025 at 12:00 PM (UTC +2)
CONCEPT
After the success of the first edition, experienced by a group of 80 pioneers, the MDS Raid Namibia returns in 2026: an adventure in pairs, with 90 or 107 km to cover over 3 stages in the stunning and spectacular Namib Desert.
Between a physical and human challenge, you will cross dunes and magnificent landscapes, with the shared goal of crossing the finish line together.
The MDS Raid is a return to basics with a more authentic and minimalist adventure: minimal marking, a night under the stars during the second stage, simpler refreshment points, all while maintaining food autonomy.
The edition will be limited to 250 participants.
Registration opens on June 18, 2025, at 12:00 PM (UTC+2).
Discover the MDS Raid Namibia 2025 film
THE DUO
The duo is at the heart of the MDS Raid Namibia. This adventure is lived as a pair, from the first step to the finish line. It is therefore essential to choose the ideal person, the one with whom you will share every challenge, every dune, every difficulty.
This is not just a race; it is a true adventure for two, where success depends as much on physical strength as on trust and mutual support. Finding the right partner ensures a unique, intense, and unforgettable experience, a memory you can share only as a pair.
One goal will unite you: to start this adventure together and, above all, to finish it together.
If you do not find a close companion to join you on the MDS Raid, we will assign you a partner based on your athletic level.
KEY FEATURES
A unique adventure with the Star Night
The Namibia Raid stands out for its memorable and unique moments, starting with the Star Night, which takes place during the two-day second stage. Participants will spend an exceptional night under the stars, in a breathtakingly beautiful location at the heart of the dunes.
The finish line of this Star Night was voted the most beautiful finish line of all time by the MDS teams!
Water Stations
Simpler than classic checkpoints, the Water Stations in the Namibia Raid, spaced about every 10 km, provide water supplies while respecting the spirit of autonomy and simplicity of the adventure.
Medical care
At the MDS Raid Namibia, self-care is emphasized. Participants must bring a podiatry kit to manage minor care themselves. The medical team intervenes only in emergencies requiring more significant care.
Minimal marking
The race marking is intentionally minimal to increase the challenge, but don’t worry: runners won’t get lost. There’s no need for a compass — the course routes can be downloaded directly onto their phone or smartwatch, providing reliable navigation throughout the race.
FORMATS
Two distance formats are available for the MDS Raid: 90 km or 107 km to complete.
A unique route in the heart of the dunes, here's an overview of what awaits you:
- Stage 1: 23,2 km
- Stage 2 (over 2 days): 19.4 km or 37.2 km on the first day, 21.9 km on the second day
- Stage 3: 25,9 km
Time limits are based on a minimum speed of 3 km/h, allowing you to do it at your own pace.
During the Star Night, which takes place on Stage 2, you will cover either 19.4 km or 37.2 km on the first day. You will then stop to spend the night under the stars in a nomadic-style camp.
At sunrise, you will set off again for 25.9 km before spending the rest of the day at the bivouac.
Program of the adventure
ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME
The offers
What is included in the offer:
- Bib for the adventure
- Transfers between the airport, the hotel and the desert
- 4 nights' half-board hotel accommodation in Swakopmund (2 before the race, 2 after)
- 3 nights on the MDS bivouac, in an individual tent
- Medal and finisher’s present
- Gala evening
You will share your hotel room with another participant. Once registered, you will have the option to specify the name of the person you wish to share your room with. If you don't fill in any details, you'll be randomly allocated a room with people who speak the same language as you. Rooms are non-mixed, unless otherwise requested.
Join the adventure serenely
The organisation of the MDS does its best to ensure that the event takes place in the best conditions, and that participants who register don’t take any risk with adjusted cancellation and postponement conditions.
Free postponement
In case of doubt as the adventure approaches, you can postpone your participation free of charge to the next edition, until 26 January 2026
Cancellation conditions
Our registration conditions allow you to cancel free of charge until 5 months before the event.
Cancellation insurance
In case of cancellation of the event by the organization, you will be refunded 100% of the amount you paid within 60 days.
THE NAMIB
A burning and ancient land, the Namib is much more than a desert: it is a living masterpiece, shaped by wind and light for over 55 million years.
Here, infinity takes shape, between towering dunes and profound silences.
This mythical desert, the oldest in the world, stretches its waves of sand over hundreds of kilometers, with some of the tallest dunes ever recorded, some rising over 300 meters. Their sharp ridges shift with every breath of wind, offering a mesmerizing and ever-changing spectacle.
But the Namib is not just a stunning landscape, it is also a miracle of life. Millennia-old plants, clever insects, silent oryx, stealthy jackals… all have found their way here, adapted to the extreme, bearing witness to a balance as fragile as it is extraordinary.
The Namib grips you deep within. It makes you feel small, humble, in awe. Every gust of wind, every grain of sand reminds you that you are in the heart of an untamed land, of a beauty that feels almost unreal.
This desert is not simply crossed… it is lived.
TRAVELING IN NAMIBIA
We recommend extending your adventure, before or after the Raid, to discover all the richness this fascinating country has to offer.
Explore a wild and authentic Namibia: the dizzying dunes of Sossusvlei, the spectacular wildlife of Etosha National Park, and the living traditions of local communities.
On the excursions offered, you’ll witness breathtaking views in the heart of iconic dunes.
The Etosha safari, one of Namibia’s true gems, gives you the chance to observe a wide range of wildlife. Lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and many other animals roam freely in their natural environment.
It’s a unique place to experience wildlife up close.
Dive into the local culture by meeting communities firsthand. These visits offer a meaningful insight into their traditions, daily habits, and way of life.
All excursions are available as half-day or full-day trips, with regular departures from Walvis Bay.
For more information, visit the website of our local partner agency, Sandwich Dune Tours and Safari.
Experience Namibia differently, where the desert meets the ocean.
THE ADVENTURA OF A LIFETIME
INFORMATION MDS RAID NAMIBIA 2026
INFO HOW TO GET THERE ?
Two options are available to reach the starting point: you can book your flight to Windhoek International Airport (WDH), the capital of Namibia, or to Walvis Bay Airport. The transfer from Windhoek to the hotel takes approximately 5 hours, while the journey from Walvis Bay takes about 1 hour.
Entry requirements for Namibia include a visa for certain foreign nationals.
We encourage you to check the specific requirements on the website of your Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The visa costs 1,600 Namibian dollars (approximately $80).
Once you arrive, our team will be there to welcome you.
WHICH FLIGHTS TO CHOOSE ?
Airline tickets with insurance are necessary, given the restrictions that may be applied by countries.
Airline tickets must be booked for April 25, 2026, to Windhoek International Airport (WDH) or Walvis Bay airport, Namibia. You need to arrive before 2pm to catch the shuttle bus.
For your information, if you are coming from Europe, you will probably be flying via Frankfurt in Germany or Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, which is very common for Namibia.
On the return, shuttles will be organized on Saturday, May 2nd, between the hotel and both Windhoek and Walvis Bay airports.
Given the travel times, it is necessary to choose a return flight after 2:00 PM.
PROGRAM OF THE WEEK
Day 1: Arrival, airport transfer, night at the hotel
Day 2: Technical checks, welcome briefing, night at the hotel
Day 3: Transfer, stage 1, night at the bivouac
Day 4: Stage 2 / part 1, Star Night
Day 5: Stage 2 / part 2, night at the bivouac
Day 6: Stage 3, night at the hotel
Day 7: Free day, gala evening, night at the hotel
Day 8: Transfer back to the airport
DISTANCES
Two routes: 90 km and 107 km of dunes.
- Stage 1: 23,2 km
- Stage 2 - over 2 days: 19.4 km or 37.2 km on the first day, 21.9 km on the second day.
- Stage 3: 25,9 km
WHAT DO I TAKE WITH ME ?
If it’s your first MDS, you probably have a lot of questions. Once you register, we'll send you a full checklist of the material, but here is the principal to have per person:
- Backpack plus 2 water bottles (type Ultrabag 20L)
- T-shirt + running shorts
- Trail shoes + anti-sand gaiters
- Cap and sunglasses
- Change: T-shirt + light shorts / leggings
- Windbreaker jacket for the evening and morning
- Sleeping bag + mattress for the night
- Hygiene products (sun cream, soap, antiseptic...)
- Toilet paper
- Food and kitchen utensils (cooking utensils, lighter, fire pellets...)
- Podiatry kit
You can bring a large suitcase with more clothes, which you will leave at the hotel and find after the MDS adventure.
PRICES
The prices for the MDS Namibia 2026 are the following:
For the main hotel:
- From June 18 to June 30, 2025: €2,450/ person
- From July 1 to July 31, 2025: €2,550/person
- After July 31, 2025: €2,650/person
For the secondary hotel:
- From 18 to 30 June 2025: €2,350/person
- From 1 to 31 July 2025: €2,450/person
- After 31 July 2025: €2,550/person
INCLUDED IN THE REGISTRATION
- Bib for the adventure
- Transfers between the airport, the hotel and the desert
- 4 nights' half-board hotel accommodation in Swakopmund (2 before the race, 2 after)
- 3 nights on the bivouac, in an individual tent
- Medal and finisher’s present
- Dinner and Gala evening
ULTRA-FLEXIBLE REGISTRATION CONDITIONS
Cancellation conditions:
- Cancellations are possible without charge until October 26, 2025
- From October 27, 2025 to November 30, 2025 included, 25% of the total amount of the registration will be kept by the organization in case of cancellation.
- From December 1 to 28, 2025 included, 50% of the total amount of the registration will be kept by the organization in case of cancellation.
- After December 28, 2025, no refund is possible, however it will still be possible to postpone your registration according to the conditions of the event.
Postponement conditions:
- Up to and including December 28, 2025 included, postponement to the next edition is possible for free.
- From December 29, 2025 to January 25, 2026 included: €450 fee for a postponement.
- From January 26, 2026: no postponement possible.
SAFETY
During the race, you will be surrounded by medical and organizational teams from the start to the finish of the stages. These teams will be on hand to deal with any medical emergencies.
We'll provide you with route maps that you can follow on your phone or watch to help you get your bearings (you'll be able to charge your devices at the bivouac).
The signposting will be much lighter than on a classic MDS, with markers every kilometer, or more, depending on the section.
For greater safety and to simplify navigation, you should at least stay in pairs during the stages.
You will all be equipped with a GPS beacon with an alarm button, enabling the organizers to locate you at any time.
Blisters will be treated by self-care. For this, you need to get a foot care kit. Medical teams will be on hand for emergencies only.
PAYMENT TERMS
You can pay by:
- Credit card
- 1, 3 or 5 instalments
- Bank transfer
- 1 instalment
The number of instalments may vary depending on the date of registration. The registration will be 100% validated once the total amount of the registration is paid.
REGULATIONS
ABOUT US
Since 1986, the MARATHON DES SABLES has offered adventure enthusiasts the chance to live a unique experience in the heart of some of the world’s most beautiful deserts.
Over the years, new formats have emerged. Today, everyone can experience the MDS in their own way, whether walking or running, but with an unchanged promise: to step out of your comfort zone, push your limits, and immerse yourself in a world of intense emotions amid breathtaking landscapes.
The MARATHON DES SABLES is not just a sporting challenge; it is a powerful and unforgettable human adventure.