TRAVEL INFORMATION
GETTING TO AND FROM GRAVEL BURN
Gravel Burn ventures deep into South Africa’s remote landscapes, however planning your journey to the start and getting home again should be straightforward. We’ve done the homework to ensure your trip to Gravel Burn goes as smoothly as possible, with accessible travel routes to get to the start line in Knysna and return home from Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
We recommend arriving no later than Friday, 24 October in Knysna – race registration will take place on Saturday and there will be a pre-registration programme plus warm-up rides to test your bike after reassembly. The earlier you arrive, the better — to enjoy Knysna, acclimatise and ensure all your equipment is ready for your 850km journey.
The closest arrival airport is George (GRJ) with regular connections from Cape Town and Johannesburg.
From George airport it takes approximately an hour by road to Knysna. An UberXL costs around R1000 or you can book with our official transfer partner – their vans will fit bike boxes and bags.
The closest departure airport is Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth (PLZ) with regular connections to Cape Town and Johannesburg. It’s about 60 minutes drive from Shamwari Private Game Reserve. We offer bus transfers from Shamwari to the airport on Sunday morning (2 November).
Knysna is approximately 500km from Cape Town, a scenic 6 hour drive along the Garden Route. Most major car rental companies offer 1-way drop off options in Knysna.
If you wish to pick up a rental car to travel around South Africa after the race, we recommend you book our airport bus transfer from Shamwari to Port Elizabeth airport on Sunday morning (2 November) and pick up your rental car at Port Elizabeth airport.
If you are travelling to Knysna in your own car, we offer a car transfer service from the start to Shamwari so that it’s waiting for you at the finish.
Pre-event: For the ultimate in convenience, book at our official race hotel, right near the startline in Knysna. Details to follow via email.
Post-event: Spoil yourself and your partner – spend your last night at Gravel Burn after the Final Burn party at one of Shamwari’s luxury lodges and enjoy an unforgettable safari experience over the rest of the weekend. See our Optional Extras and Add-Ons page