24 Mar 2026

The silence of the Kgalagadi Desert is set to give way to the thunder of high-performance engines as the Botswana Off-Road Racing Championship (BORRC) launches its 2026 season with the highly anticipated Tsabong-Khawa Rally this coming weekend. 

The event marks a dramatic return to the dunes and promises a thrilling showcase of speed, endurance, and technical mastery.

Affectionately dubbed the ‘Mantshwabisi’ of the south by locals, the rally will traverse the demanding corridor between Tsabong and Khawa; a route renowned for its deep, shifting sands and unpredictable terrain, which presents a true test of both machine reliability and driver skill.

Race Director for the Botswana Racing Championship, Moin Ahmad, confirmed in an interview that the opening round would take place from March 27 to 28.

 Ahmad noted that this year’s entry list was already generating excitement, with expectations of renewed rivalry between dominant off-road marques, particularly the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger contenders. 

Beyond the powerful T1 class trucks, spectators can also look forward to a fleet of agile buggies and side-by-side vehicles. Often referred to as ‘sand flies’, these lighter machines are crowd favourites, celebrated for their ability to glide over terrain that typically bogs down heavier vehicles.

While the rally promises adrenaline-fueled action, Ahmad emphasised that precision and strategy would be crucial, as performance in this opening round, was likely to influence the overall championship standings.

For the communities of Tsabong and Khawa, the rally represents more than just motorsport. It is a major cultural and economic event, expected to draw spectators from across the country and stimulate business activity.

With teams finalising preparations for this Botswana Motorsport sanctioned event, anticipation is building nationwide, all eyes are now on the Kgalagadi as engines rev and the dust prepares to rise on another defining chapter in Botswana’s off-road racing legacy. ENDS