From 26 October to 1 November 2025, Gravel Burn winds through mountain passes, semi-desert valleys, and Big Five country, offering participants a unique lens on South Africa’s lesser-seen landscapes. Gravel Burn is not just a race; it’s a thrilling 7-day, 800 km gravel cycling race from Knysna to Shamwari, unfolding across the vast, golden expanses of the Great Karoo.
Nedbank Gravel Burn is redefining the modern stage race: part endurance challenge, part cultural immersion, part escape into the heart of forgotten landscapes. With its distinctive sense of place, Drostdy Hotel stands ready not just as a base camp but as an invitation to slow down and immerse in the Karoo’s layered history.
Graaff-Reinet is increasingly recognised as a prime training ground for gravel cyclists, combining rolling gravel roads with varied elevation, high-altitude stage climbs, and minimal traffic. Rides around Camdeboo National Park or the Road to Desolation route offer cyclists technical and endurance challenges, with smooth fast-packed gravel, exposed veld suited to wind-hardened preparation, and dramatic mountain passes within easy reach of the town. Many local training tours and stage events regularly choose this terrain for its capacity to simulate Gravel Burn’s toughest stages.
Riders pass through Graaff‑Reinet, trading asphalt for dust, pace for presence, and finish lines for firelight. In the middle of it all, Drostdy Hotel stands ready, offering rest, story, and style in one of South Africa’s oldest and most atmospheric towns, an ideal retreat amid the rugged rhythm of the route. After long days on gravel and sand, guests can sink into Africology Spa treatments, enjoy Karoo-inspired cuisine at De Camdeboo Restaurant, or work off the lactic acid with a stroll down the streets in the heart of this historic town.
As cyclists push through wild, open spaces by day, Drostdy provides the welcome contrast: warm beds, fresh food, and thoughtful hospitality. Whether you’re riding the full race or supporting from the sidelines, the hotel transforms the Gravel Burn experience into something deeper, bringing a sense of rest and richness, rooted in purpose.
“Drostdy is not just accommodation, it’s part of the experience”, says Hotel Manager Tebello Polisane‑Casper.
With the Karoo Origins Fossil Centre now open, riders can quite literally travel through time, from ancient prehistory to the modern rhythms of a gravel stage race. It’s a journey through space, stories, and spirit. Inside, visitors will find the world-renowned Rubidge collection, featuring over 860 fossils, including 120 type specimens. Interactive exhibits and guided tours bring to life the region’s essential role in understanding the origins of mammals, mass extinctions, and prehistoric life.
For all reservations inquiries, please contact reservations by telephone at +27 (0)49 892 2161 or by email at reservations@drostdy.co.za, or visit the website www.drostdy.co.za