This past weekend, Shamwari Private Game Reserve made history, hosting the grand finale of the Nedbank Gravel Burn – the world’s largest gravel race. It was a powerful collision of endurance and elegance: a celebration of South African sport, luxury travel and wildlife conservation – all in one extraordinary location.
Over seven intense days and nearly 800 km, 500 adventurous riders and some of the world’s most elite cyclists crossed the rugged beauty of the Great Karoo. They battled icy mornings, punishing winds and relentless gravel roads, with their journey coming to a breathtaking close at one of South Africa’s most celebrated Big Five game reserves, Shamwari. Ultimately, this is where the wild met the refined.
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From Knysna to the Eastern Cape, the Gravel Burn tested riders’ grit and resilience. By the time they reached Shamwari’s rolling hills and open plains, exhaustion was met with reward – a luxurious sanctuary that offered rest, recovery and a true taste of African hospitality.
As Kevin Vermaak, founder of the Nedbank Gravel Burn rightly says, there are few places more fitting for the race’s finish than a Big Five welcome at a world-class reserve. And, Shamwari was first on their list – a place where luxury, conservation and South African excellence meet.
Shamwari’s CEO, Joe Cloete, shared that the event was more than a race; it was an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the Eastern Cape and the Greater Karoo as premier travel destinations. “International tourists often head to Cape Town and the Kruger National Park, but we have so much to offer here,” he said. The reserve came alive as they welcomed and accommodated more than 800 guests. Fully booked for the three days, they were excited to show the world “true African hospitality and the very best of South Africa.”
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Gravel Burn also attracted an impressive lineup of cycling legends, including Tom Pidcock, Lachlan Morton, Lukas Pöstlberger, Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, Alison Jackson, Hayley Preen and Haley Smith. The atmosphere was electric, with fans and families cheering as these world-class athletes crossed the final finish line beneath the wide African sky.
What set this finish apart from any other was Shamwari’s deep commitment to conservation, though. Guests and riders were invited to learn more about Vulpro, the reserve’s vulture rehabilitation facility, which plays a vital role in protecting these endangered birds. In fact, a select group of riders even visited the site to witness the conservation efforts firsthand – a reminder that true victory lies not only in endurance, but in preservation.
““We’ve worked closely with race organisers to ensure the route respects our wildlife and preserves the integrity of our reserve,” shared Johan Joubert, Shamwari’s Head of Conservation. “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.”
As the dust settled and the sun dipped behind the acacia trees, Shamwari once again proved why it remains a leader in African luxury safaris – a place where the spirit of adventure meets the soul of conservation.
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