Botswana will once again have a 1000-kilometer rally raid when the Botswana Off Road Racing Championship kicks off its 2025 season with the inaugural Sarona Kalahari 1000 Race.

The race will take place in Jwaneng, a town in southern Botswana. Qualifying is on Friday, April 11, followed by two days of racing over the weekend.

“In true BORRC tradition, we’re committed to delivering an epic event,” reads a series statement. “While previous routes have really tested both competitors and their vehicles, this year we’re introducing fast, open routes designed to challenge your skills without putting your equipment at risk. We promise a race that won’t be a carbreaker!”

The South African Rally-Raid Championship historically raced in Jwaneng with the TGR 1000 Desert Race, the longest race on the calendar and a part of the Road to Dakar. After a final event in 2023, the race was moved to Waterberg in South Africa for 2024, where it became the TGRSA Safari 1000.

While its southern neighbor is a rally raid hotbed, Botswana prides itself in having a burgeoning scene in the discipline too. Reigning W2RC RallyGP champion Ross Branch hails from Jwaneng and won the final TGR 1000 Desert Race in his home country for bikes.

The Sarona Kalahari 1000 Race will be the first of five races on the BORRC calendar. The second round, the Matsieng 250 in Rasesa, will be on June 28. Locations for the remaining three dates have not been immediately revealed but are planned for August 23, October 11, and November 22.