Top horses compete in Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Challenge
The success of the event was attributed to the collaborative effort and support of the Gambling Authority, the Botswana Horse Riding Association, Sunbet and the Nata Bird Sanctuary.
Botswana.- On May 30 and 31, 2025, Nata Botswana played host to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Challenge, a first-of-its-kind horse racing event held at the Makgadikgadi Pans within the Nata Bird Sanctuary.
The two-day event featured top jockeys and elite horses from across Botswana and neighbouring countries, including Zimbabwe.
Sunbet, an online horse racing betting platform, provided on-site betting services, allowing spectators to place bets on the race and win in person.
After the final lap, Western-by-pass won the Thoroughbred 2,400m with a prize of P30,000, (€1,962) while its jockey Solomon Ndura took home P3,000 (€196). Superjet secured second place, earning P20,000 (€1,308) for its owner, while its jockey, Roney Tsiakaka, claimed P2,000 (€130). Chief Helmet finished in third place, receiving P15,000 (€981) and P1,000 (€65) for its owner and jockey.
Beyond the racing action, the event featured local food, music and cultural exhibits that celebrated Botswana’s heritage. Local music stars Charma Girl, Dingo Jowa, Chokoma, Dr Vom and Mon-namogolo wa Thulaganyo entertained the crowd with their energetic performances. Spectators also participated in various attractions like horseback riding, boat cruises, quad biking, game drives and helicopter tours.
To reduce the ecological impact of the event, organisers teamed up with an environmental agency, implementing measures such as waste management, noise control and temporary infrastructure.
The gathering brought a much-needed economic boost to the village of Nata, with shops, vendors and lodges in the community experiencing an increase in patronage over the weekend.
The success of the event was attributed to the collaborative effort and support of the Gambling Authority, the Botswana Horse Riding Association, Sunbet and the Nata Bird Sanctuary.
Lawrence Ookeditse, the Member of Parliament for Nata-Gweta, said: “This was a debut Makgadikgadi Challenge to be proud of. Congratulations to the people of our home, and thank you to the people of our country for embracing our home beautifully. I noticed a few things we can improve for next time, but overall, it was a great day. Thank you for supporting our dream.”
