The offer includes race bib for the MDS adventure, 4 nights in a double room in the main race hotel in Swakopmund.
MDS RAID NAMIBIA
1st edition – from April 26 to May 03, 2025
MDS RAID NAMIBIA
1st edition – from April 26 to May 03, 2025
Registration opening on December 11th
CONCEPT
Discover the new MDS concept: The MDS Raid.
The MDS Raid offers a single route choice with 100 to 120 km to cover in 3 stages, and minimal marking will push you to go beyond your limits.
The adventure will be completed in pairs, either with someone of your choice or with another participant who has the same pace.
New Feature: The Star Night. The second stage will be split into two. You will spend a night under the stars in the middle of the dunes, without returning to the bivouac.
No classic Check Points – only 'Water Stations' will be available to refill your water (approximately every 10 km).
The adventure remains self-sufficient in terms of food.
Prepare yourself to test your limits in one of the harshest, yet most majestic environments on the planet.
An exclusive adventure reserved for 80 participants.
To take up this challenge, previous experience in desert environments is preferable.
FORMATS
Only 1 distance format for the MDS Raid, with around 100 to 120 km to cover.
A unique route in the heart of the dunes, here's an overview of what awaits you:
- Stage 1: 25 to 30 km
- Stage 2 (over 2 days): 45 to 55 km
- Stage 3: 25 to 30 km
Time limits are based on a minimum speed of 3 km/h, allowing you to do it at your own pace.
During Star Night on stage 2, you'll cover between 35 to 40 km on the first day. You'll stop to spend the night in a nomad camp under the stars.
You will set off again at sunrise for 20 to 25 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 t-shirt
- Dinner and Gala evening
Depending on the package you choose, you will share your hotel room with one or two other participants. Once you've registered, you'll be able to enter the name(s) of the person(s) you'd like to share the hotel 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 January 26, 2025.
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.
Details of cancellation and postponement conditions are available in the regulation:
MDS Raid Namibia 2025 Rules and Conditions of Sale
THE NAMIB
The Namib Desert is the oldest and driest desert in the world. It stands out from other deserts for its unique diversity and breathtaking scenery.
It is characterized by vast stretches of dunes, among the most impressive in the world, some reaching heights of over 300 meters.
These dunes are sculpted by powerful, ever-changing winds. Their colors vary according to the angle of the sun, creating sumptuous shades ranging from deep red to bright orange.
The flora and fauna of the Namib Desert are remarkable. It is the habitat of a wide variety of plants and animals adapted to life in extreme conditions.
This edition of the MDS Namibia will be physically demanding due to the predominance of sand throughout the route. Although some parts of the stages feature compact sand, much of the route will be made up of loose sand, making progression more difficult.
A LIFE-CHANGING ADVENTURE
INFORMATION MDS RAID NAMIBIA 2025
INFO HOW TO GET THERE ?
You need to book your flight tickets to arrive at Windhoek International Airport (WDH), capital of Namibia.
On April 1, 2025, entry requirements to Namibia will change for certain foreign nationals.
We invite you to check these requirements on your Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
The visa costs 1,600 Namibian dollars ($80).
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 26, 2025, to Windhoek International Airport (WDH), 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 journey, shuttles will be organized on Saturday, May 03. Given the journey times involved, it's best to opt for a return flight after 4pm.
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
1 single course: 100 to 120km of dunes
Stage 1: 25 to 30 km
Stage 2 - over 2 days: 45 to 55 km
Stage 3: 25 to 30 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...)
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 2025 are the following:
- MDS Namibia Offer: €2,650/person
- Until the end of December: €2,450/person
- Until the end of January: €2,550/person
The prices are individual.
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 t-shirt
- Dinner and Gala evening
ULTRA-FLEXIBLE REGISTRATION CONDITIONS
Cancellatiopn conditions:
- Cancellations are possible without charge until December 26, 2024
- From December 27, 2024 to January 12, 2025 included, 25% of the total amount of the registration will be kept by the organization in case of cancellation.
- From January 13 to 26, 2025 included, 50% of the total amount of the registration will be kept by the organization in case of cancellation.
- After January 26, 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 January 26, 2025 included, postponement to the next edition is possible for free.
- From January 27 to February 16, 2025 included: €450 fee for a postponement.
- From February 17, 2025: no postponement possible.
SAFETY
During the race, you will be surrounded by medical and organisational 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 kilometre, 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 organisers to locate you at any time.
Blisters will be treated by self-care. Medical teams will be on hand for emergencies only.
PAYMENT TERMS
You can pay by:
- Credit card
- 1, 3 or 4 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 been crossing the world's most beautiful deserts with several concepts: the MARATHON DES SABLES THE LEGENDARY (252 km in the Sahara Desert in Morocco), the MARATHON DES SABLES (70, 100 or 120 km over 3 stages) and the new 2024 concept, the MDS TREK (4 stages with a total distance of up to 120km).
MDS in the press
Equip yourself for the MDS
WAA Ultra has been developing specialized products for MDS participants since 2009.