A fearless and brave Marius du Preez will mount his touring bicycle and begin an extraordinary journey. Not for personal glory or adventure alone, but for something far more profound – to ensure that 120 vulnerable children experience the simple magic of celebrating their birthday.
At 58, Marius du Preez has traded the comfort of conventional retirement for something infinitely more meaningful. The former professional, now known as “The Unhurried Bike Packer,” has embarked on a mission that combines his passion for cycling with a deep commitment to social impact.
Early in 2026, on 2 March Marius will set out on an ambitious 7 000 km solo and unsupported bike packing tour through southern Africa. His destination isn’t just geographical – it’s emotional. Every pedal stroke is aimed at raising R120 000 for a birthday fund for the children of Die Herberg Children’s Home in Robertson, Western Cape.
The reality behind the journey
This isn’t a leisurely cycling holiday. Marius will be sleeping rough in the African wilderness, navigating territories where lions, leopards, hyenas, and elephants still roam free. The route will take him from Cape Town to Windhoek, Namibia, across Botswana to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, before returning via the west coast of Southern Africa.
“I will be sleeping in the wild, which could be interesting, especially through Botswana, Zambia and parts of Namibia,” Marius explains. The physical challenges – scorching heat, relentless wind, and steep mountain climbs – pale in comparison to his motivation.
Speaking about his meticulously planned route, Marius shares: “The plan is to cycle from Durbanville through the Cederberg and Namaqualand into Namibia. I will visit the Fish River Canyon and follow the backroads to Windhoek, where I will service my bike, replace the tires and chain before travelling through Botswana, where there is a probability of encountering elephants, lions, leopards and hyenas while wild camping in the bush. I will follow the elephant highway north and cross into Zimbabwe, where I will visit the Victoria Falls before crossing the border into Zambia. In Zambia, I will follow the Zambezi river west before crossing into the Caprivi (Namibia). I will continue west until I reach the eastern edge of the Skeleton Coast. From there, I will continue southwest towards the coast about 300km north of Henties Bay.
“By the time I reach Swakopmund, my bike will require another full service, including new tires and a chain. I will follow the coast to Walvis Bay, where I will turn east to explore the massive dunes of Sossusvlei and the Dead Vlei. From there, I will visit Luderitz and the ghost town at Kolmanskop before heading to Spitzkoppe. If I am lucky, I will see the famous wild horses along the route. I will cross back into South Africa at Alexander Bay and follow the coast back to Cape Town.”
The children who inspire every mile
Many of the 120 abused, abandoned, and vulnerable children at Die Herberg Children’s Home have never experienced what most of us take for granted – a birthday celebration. No cake, no candles, no gift to call their own. For Marius, this is “a tragedy we can fix.”
His commitment is simple yet profound: “Suffer for Joy.” Every challenging mile, every uncomfortable night under the stars, every steep climb in the African heat becomes meaningful when transformed into a child’s smile.
People can follow his progress on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/marius.dupreez.566/.
