Dusi Canoe Marathon

View on map
Sports & AdventurePietermaritzburg/Durban
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
DurationWinterEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceThe race began as an act of individual
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: ZAR
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Dusi Canoe Marathon in Pietermaritzburg/Durban

The Dusi Canoe Marathon is a three-day, 120 km canoe race down the Msunduzi and Mgeni Rivers between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. First held in 1951 and organised by the Natal Canoe Club, it draws 1,600 to 2,000 paddlers each year, the largest canoeing event on the African continent.

The Dusi Canoe Marathon takes its name from the Msunduzi River, known locally as the Dusi, and traces its origin to a much earlier, unofficial trip: in 1893 two Pietermaritzburg men, Paul Marianni and William Foley, took seven days to paddle the same stretch of river down to Blue Lagoon in Durban.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The race began as an act of individual endurance in 1951, when Ian Player and seven other paddlers set out in wood-and-canvas canoes weighing 32 kilograms, carrying all their own supplies with no time limit

02

The mystery stays covered

only Player finished, in six days, eight hours and fifteen minutes

03

The city starts moving

Today's three-day, staged format traces a direct line back to that non-stop original, condensed for safety after early editions raised concerns about paddling through the night

04

The water draws everyone in

Competitors can enter K1, K2, White Water, Touring, Touring Canadian and SUP classes, and the course mixes genuine whitewater rapids with sections of flat-water portaging, including an 11 km paddle across Inanda Dam and a 10 km crossing of Durban's Blue Lagoon

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The Natal Canoe Club

Water and renewal

Living ritual

whose clubhouse sits at Camps Drift on the Msunduzi River exactly where the race starts

The sacred route

Living ritual

has organised the event since its founding

The local code

Living ritual

maintaining continuity with Ian Player's original 1951 route even as the format has evolved from a single non-stop push into a structured three-day stage race

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

Getting to Dusi Canoe Marathon works best when arrival and return routes are decided before the busiest part of the day.

What to wear

Quick-drying paddling kit suited to whitewater and portage sections alike, since competitors alternate between sitting in the boat and carrying it overland around rapids; buoyancy aids and...

Safety

Dusi Canoe Marathon is easier when spectators give competitors, vehicles and staff room to work.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Pietermaritzburg/Durban.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

ZAR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map26.20 S, 28.04 EOpen in Google Maps

Pietermaritzburg/Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Nearest airportDUR — King Shaka
TransportGetting to Dusi Canoe Marathon works best when arrival and return routes are decided before the busiest part of the day.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Pietermaritzburg/Durban.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Pietermaritzburg/Durban via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Pietermaritzburg/Durban, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearQuick-drying paddling kit suited to whitewater and portage sections alike, since competitors alternate between sitting in the boat and carrying it overland around rapids; buoyancy aids and river shoes are standard given the mix of rapids and rocky portage trails.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for South Africa and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Dusi Canoe Marathon?

Dusi Canoe Marathon is listed for February · Winter. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Dusi Canoe Marathon take place?

The festival is listed in Pietermaritzburg/Durban, South Africa. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Winter is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Pietermaritzburg/Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLdusi.co.za
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Argungu Fishing Festival

Past edition: 11–14 February 2026

Argungu, Nigeria
Photo pending

Bay to Breakers

Past edition: 17 May 2026

San Francisco, United States
Photo pending

Daytona 500

Past edition: 15 February 2026

Daytona Beach, United States
Photo pending

Daytona Bike Week

Past edition: 27 February–8 March 2026

Daytona Beach, United States

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →