About the race
The Nedbank Gravel Burn is a seven-day gravel stage race across the Great Karoo of the Eastern Cape. It begins in the historic town of Graaff-Reinet and finishes in Big 5 country at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, with riders sleeping each night in remote "Burn Camps".
History
Kevin Vermaak, who also founded the Cape Epic, launched the event in July 2024 together with some of the team who built that race. The 2026 race, from 25 to 31 October, is billed as the second edition. Entries for 2027 open on 5 November 2026.
The course
The organiser lists 750 km and 8,500 m of climbing across the week, with four Burn Camps. The stages run as follows:
- Stage 1: Graaff-Reinet to Blaauwater, 90 km, climbing towards Conical Peak
- Stage 2: Blaauwater loop, 111 km, via Sneeuberg Nature Reserve, Compassberg and Nieu-Bethesda
- Stage 3: Blaauwater to Merino, 137 km, the longest, over Wapadsberg Pass with a summit finish on Swaershoek Pass
- Stage 4: Merino loop, 61 km, the shortest
- Stage 5: Merino to Gwanishi, 128 km
- Stage 6: Gwanishi to Shamwari, 76 km, with a 33 km safari liaison
- Stage 7: Shamwari loop, 94 km
Cut-offs and entry
Each stage has a maximum stage time, from 4h30 on Stage 4 to 9h30 on Stage 3. It is a solo race, with a Pro category for prize money and Age Group riders racing for leader's jerseys. Pro riders may also form teams of three or four for a Teams Classification. South African and Namibian riders need Cycling South Africa membership, and international riders need a licence from their home federation or a CSA day licence for each stage. Official GPX files are given out at registration in Graaff-Reinet. The organiser says phase 1 early-bird entries for 2027 are priced at USD 3,290 or ZAR 43,990.
Where to watch
Race start is at Graaff-Reinet on Sunday 25 October at 08:00. The Burn Camps are remote and built for riders, but each day's finish is marked by a Karoo windmill. The organiser's rider hub carries more information for registered riders.
Weather
October is spring in the Eastern Cape. The organiser warns of unpredictable conditions, and the semi-desert Karoo generally brings warm days and cooler nights, with wind a factor on open stretches. This is a general seasonal description, not a forecast.
SourcesNedbank Gravel Burn · Gravel Burn FAQ