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Strömgatan 18, Stockholm, Sweden
(+46) 322.170.71
ouroffice@freestyle.com
HOW WILL THE BAMAKO EXTREME BE DIFFERENT FROM THE BUDAPEST-BAMAKO?• The start location is a secret, but will not Budapest.
• The rally will be longer. 11,000 kilometers. 22 days.
• The roadbook will not be published in advance. There will be new chapters published, daily.
• We will not have racing category. The distance is competitive enough.
• The distance will be longer, but we’d like the pace to be lighter.
• For the first time we’ll drive through rain forests.
We don’t recommend the Bamako Extreme to participants without previous African overlanding or Budapest-Bamako experience. This is a tough challenge and demanding in many regards. However, the rally’s liberal spirit doesn’t permit us to restrict anyone’s participation.
Our aim is to make this event smaller and more community centered than the Budapest-Bamako. We are only allowing the first 150 teams to register.
Yes, you can enter with a 2WD car but some parts will be difficult, but not impossible. If a section is only doable in a 4×4 we will indicate alternative routes for 2×2 vehicles.
Yes. There will be Spirit Category. We will grant free entry to 10 special vehicles. In general your chances are better if your car is very rare, special and different. Chances are slim if your car was made after 1990, 4×4 or a vehicle primarily intended for selling in Africa. Read the SPIRIT ENTRY PROCESS.
READ THESE THREE IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS:
The 4×4 Adventure/Touring category takes you through spectacular, exciting off-road sections. There is no competition or winning. There are no tasks to complete. The challenge is getting from start to the finish line with the most memories. There is an element of extreme adventure, exciting terrain, rocks, sand, dirt roads and diverse cultures. The route from camp to camp can sometimes be done on paved roads, but you may have to take a detour. We will provide you with access to some extremely spectacular and hidden African dirt roads. A reliable 4×4 vehicle is strongly recommended.
In this category there are no rules, no timing, no scoring, no difficult offroad sections. The only thing that counts is the finish line, completing the challenge and making new friends. This is also knows as the “party division” of the rally. The participants are allowed to choose which roads they take to the finish line. You can take detours to see sights or skip entire stages and catch up with the rally 2-3 days later. Teams have access to 24 hour medical service along the official route and in the official camps. Otherwise you are on your own.
FREE admission for 2 people in touring. Administrative fees apply.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: MAY 20, 2026
• You must have a valid touring category entry
• You should email your vehicle idea/concept to us for evaluation.
• If your vehicle is chosen for Spirit category, your paid entry fee will be credit for admin fees (visa, insurance, etc)
READ MORE ABOUT THE SPIRIT ENTRY PROCESS
The Bamako Spirit category is intended to keep the original founding spirit of the rally alive. Come in a cheap car. Come in an old car. Come in a junky car. Come in a vehicle that makes people smile. Be funny. Be creative. Be adventurous. Bring an ambulance, fire truck or similar vehicle. Be different and have a big a heart. Tell us your plan and come for free! (If additional people want to join the team they will have to pay the entry fees.Entries in this category can not be transferred. The promises that you make in your introduction will be checked before you get your roadbook and numbers). There is only room for 10 Spirit Category teams. A 300 Euro Spirit deposit will have to be paid which you will get back once you start the race in the vehicle which you promised in your application. Participants of Spirit category have to take part in our press conference in Budapest and also at the start ceremony. Extra persons can join your Spirit vehicle for 150 Euros.
ADMIN FEE: The 200 Euro admin fee is payable per vehicle.
SALE AND TRANSFER OF ENTRIES:
Entries can only be sold and transferred through the official rally office. The transfer fee is 200 EUR in all cases.
It is important to emphasize that while some participants try to sell entries for profit, this does not align with the spirit of the rally. However, since there is no complete prohibition, we have no influence over the prices set by sellers.
Membership / Entry Rights cannot be carried over to the following year(s).
The membership/entry fee covers the year 2027, and it is not possible to transfer the membership to next year(s). Entries are only refundable if the event is canceled.
By paying the entry fee you’ll get the right to participate in all events of the Budapest-Bamako, the Great African Run as well as personal usage rights to our logo and access to our member protected areas of the site.
In addition the participants get the following: