Tomorrow, on Saturday, 1 November, Shamwari Private Game Reserve will welcome the finishers of the Nedbank Gravel Burn, the world’s largest gravel race, marking a milestone moment for South African sport, conservation, and luxury tourism.
Over seven days and 800 kilometres, an elite field of international cycling champions and 500 adventurous riders from around the world are racing across gravel passes and country roads, traversing South Africa’s Great Karoo region. The final stage will conclude at Shamwari, one of the country’s most prestigious Big Five game reserves, where riders will be met with the wild beauty and refined luxury that define this Eastern Cape icon.
From icy mornings to punishing winds, the Gravel Burn is testing riders with the full force of Africa’s extremes. On Day 2, participants awoke to a landscape soaked in rain and coated in ice. On Day 6, the race had a delayed start due to challenging weather conditions, with gusting winds and low visibility pushing riders to their limits. Every kilometre has demanded grit, resilience, and determination. Africa is hard and relentless, but it is also breathtakingly beautiful.
And nowhere is that contrast more evident than at Shamwari. “In an ideal world, what could be a more fitting finish for gravel race participants from around the globe than a Big Five welcome at a world-class reserve?” says Kevin Vermaak, founder of the Nedbank Gravel Burn. “The answer was clear – Shamwari Private Game Reserve. It was the first name on our list. CEO Joe Cloete leads a top-drawer hospitality team combining luxury with a forward-thinking approach to conservation. And his financial director Ruan Fick is a passionate cyclist, who joined us for our very first Trial Burn test event.”
Joe Cloete, CEO of Shamwari Private Game Reserve, adds: “When Kevin Vermaak approached us with the idea of ending the Gravel Burn in a game reserve, we jumped at the opportunity. Kevin has built a strong brand and reputation in the industry, and we knew this would be the perfect way to showcase the Eastern Cape, the Greater Karoo, and our reserve. International tourists often head to Cape Town and the Kruger National Park, but we have so much to offer here. Tomorrow evening, we’ll light up Shamwari in a different way as we welcome and accommodate more than 800 guests. The lodge is fully booked for the next three days, and we’re excited to show the world true African hospitality and the very best of South Africa.”
After a week of extreme conditions, riders will finally be able to rest, recover, and indulge in the comfort and care that Shamwari is known for. From rugged terrain to refined luxury, the Gravel Burn is culminating in a celebration of endurance and elegance.
The race has drawn an extraordinary field of elite athletes, including Olympic Champions, World Champions, Grand Tour stage winners, Monument winners, mountain-bike stage-race winners, and National Champions. From the start line in Knysna, riders have been battling unpredictable Garden Route weather and rugged terrain, making this South Africa’s first seven-day gravel stage race – and one of the most competitive gravel events ever staged.
The men’s elite field includes Tom Pidcock, two-time mountain-bike Olympic Champion; Lachlan Morton, Australia’s multi-discipline legend; and Lukas Pöstlberger, Giro d’Italia stage winner. The women’s field features Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, South African road ace; Alison Jackson, ParisRoubaix Femmes winner and Canadian National Champion; Hayley Preen, South African Gravel Champion; and Haley Smith, former Olympian and Swiss Epic winner.
Beyond the race, Shamwari is offering riders and guests a deeper connection to South Africa’s natural heritage. The reserve is home to Vulpro, South Africa’s leading vulture conservation organisation. Vulpro’s Eastern Cape facility rehabilitates injured and poisoned vultures, restores populations through captive breeding, and educates communities about their ecological importance. A select group of riders will visit the facility to witness the next generation of vultures before their release in 2026.
“Shamwari is proud to be the final destination of the Nedbank Gravel Burn,” says Johan Joubert, Head of Conservation at Shamwari. “We’ve worked closely with race organisers to ensure the route respects our wildlife and preserves the integrity of our reserve. This is still the wild – our animals roam free, and this is their home. But we’ve also gone to great lengths to showcase the best of what the Eastern Cape has to offer.”
For reservation inquiries, please contact reservations via email at reservations@shamwari.com or on +27 42 203 1111, or visit www.shamwari.com.