The Tankwa Karoo is one of the most exciting spaces in South Africa. It is as hot, dry and expansive as only a desert can get. The Tankwa also boasts a rich diversity of fauna and flaura and has the distinction of having the third most endemic bird species in the world. Pictures of the Tankwa Karoo invites you to unplug, to step out of your comfort zone and to step into, to quote Father Dioscuros, a place where you can find yourself.

Horizons without limits

It was not a surprise that this invitation rang loudly when Hanno Langenhoven saw a picture of cyclists tackling parts of the R355 crossing the Tankwa Karoo. The R355 is the longest uniterupted gravel road between two towns in South Africa and calls out adventure day in and day out, summer and winter. Soon the invitation turned into the crazy concept of a single-stage desert crossing in the middle of summer to have a crack at the title of ‘the hottest run in the world’.