The Elite Odyssey: 

Southern Africa’s Most Exclusive 4x4 Expeditions

In a world that never stops moving, true luxury isn't a faster car or a bigger screen—it’s the silence of a desert at dawn and the roar of a lion under a canopy of stars. At Protea 4x4, we don't just offer tours; we curate bespoke odysseys for the discerning explorer who demands more from life than the ordinary. You only live once—but if you do it right, once is more than enough. Unrivaled Access. Absolute Exclusivity. 

We believe the greatest show on earth shouldn't have a crowd. To preserve the intimacy of the wild and the caliber of the experience, our expeditions are strictly limited to exclusive groups of just 12 people. This is high-altitude, high-octane exploration for those who appreciate the finer details of an untamed landscape. 

Whether you choose the rugged authenticity of a self-camping trek or the refined ease of our fully catered adventures, every logistical nuance is handled with surgical precision. Park fees, luxury accommodations, and gourmet wilderness dining are all part of the Protea 4x4 standard. 

With us, each safari is not just a tour; it's an odyssey into the heart of Africa's untamed splendor...

The Art of the Expedition Led by husband and wife team, Jannie and Ansu Rykaart, you will navigate Southern Africa’s most storied landscapes—from the hidden valleys of Lesotho to the shifting sands of the Namib. With over 31 years of mastery, Jannie ensures that even the most technical terrain feels like a masterclass in confidence. 

• Sunset Rituals: Trade the boardroom for the bushveld as we toast to the horizon with premium sundowners, witnessing the African sun dip below the Earth's edge. 

• Masterful Discovery: For the photographer, the naturalist, and the seeker of solace, we provide a gateway to the planet's last true wilderness areas. 

• The Protea Philosophy: We drive with a "leave no trace" ethos, ensuring that the wild heart of Africa remains as pristine for the next generation as it is for us today. 

Transcend the Ordinary 

This isn't just a holiday. It is a fire kindled in the spirit, a memory etched in the soul, and a journey where the rhythm of the wild beats in perfect harmony with your own. The most exclusive seats in the wilderness are waiting. 

Will you be one of the twelve? 

Request an Invitation to our 2026/2027 Safari Calendar 

Join us at Protea 4x4 for an adventure that transcends the ordinary – a journey where the wild heart of Africa beats in harmony with your own.

Route Sani Pass (winter tour), Lesotho.

17 to 21 July 2026 – 5 days, fully catered 4-star Hotel accommodation.

• Sani Pass is the mother of all Southern African mountain passes. Statistically and in every sense, it out distance, out climbs, and out-performs all its competitors with consummate ease to have become the most iconic gravel pass in Southern Africa. It remains a challenging drive with all the drama, scenery, bad weather and treacherous conditions expected of a pass with a summit altitude of 2 876 m above sea-level. It is now used, for the most part, by 4x4 vehicles and has become a highlight for tourists from all over the world visiting the Southern Drakensberg.

  Sani Pass is voted by the public as the most popular (no.1) mountain pass to drive. This road serves as a gateway to Lesotho from KwaZulu Natal, known as the "Roof of Africa". The area is also the domain of the endangered Bearded Vulture, the Basotho shepherds, and their animals. The Route boast to be the highest gravel road in Africa and third highest in the world and peaks at a heady height of 3240m above sea level!

  Day 2 (Saturday, 18 July 2026)
  After an early breakfast at the Sani Pass Hotel, it is time to tackle the famous 14km Sani Pass into The Mountain Kingdom. You will need a valid passport and your vehicles registration papers. Scaling the pass is not a race to the top but a leisurely cruise to take in the breath-taking scenery of the rolling mountains of this World Heritage Site. With several stops to enjoy the views, mountain flowers, frozen waterfalls, and the birdlife to the top of Sani Pass. A pit-stop, at the famous Sani Mountain Lodge, claimed to be the highest pub in Africa to celebrate your victory.

  It is time to venture deeper into Lesotho to Black Mountain Pass (3 248m). Standing on top of the Drakensberg will blow your breath away, the view just never stops! Bring your cooler box, snacks, and soak-up the beauty of these blue open skies, and you never know – we could encounter some snow been so high up!

  Later the afternoon we will take a slow drive down the spectacular pass to the Sani Pass Hotel. Our buffet dinner will be ready from 19h00.

  Day 3 (Sunday, 19 July 2026)
  After a late breakfast it's time to explore the Midlands. The historical Himeville Museum, the Olde Duck farmstall/coffee shop, and visit the numerous arts and craft shops in the area.

  After a long day exploring the Midlands, we will meet again at the Sani Pass Hotel to enjoy a buffet dinner, time to share your new discoveries.

  Day 4 (Monday, 20 July 2026)
  After a late breakfast you can relax at the hotel. Go hiking, fishing, tennis, golf, Spa treatment or just relax. Let's meet again at the Sani Pass Hotel to enjoy a farewell buffet dinner, time to share your days discoveries.

  Exclusive 4x4 mountain tour just for 16 people   

Contact Jannie for a detailed itinerary: info@protea4x4.co.za or 083 268 0566

Namaqualand 4x4 Flower Safari, Northern Cape.

The 2026 FLOWER SEASON TOUR will be from 24 August to 3 September 2026.

Fully catered dinner/bed & breakfast 4-Star Lodge accommodation.

• Superbly splendiferous is the only way to describe the flowering season in Namaqualand. The amazing floral display has earned itself a place as a global botanical wonder. Visitors on this flower safari tour will experience the greatest flower show on earth with close to 3000 plant species of which more than 50% are indigenous to the region we plan to visit. On this flower power safari, we intend to introduce you to areas that you thought never existed in South Africa.

  Get ready for a lifetime changing experience of discoveries as we travel the back roads of this arid region. The Flower safari is a fully catered tour, pack your bags and head west with us for a mind-boggling discovery of this arid and desolated "outback" part of our country. Keep in mind that this Flower Safari offers a lot more than just flowers, you will be discovering so much more off the beaten path. Therefore, you will need a 4x4 vehicle.

  

  Day 3 (Wednesday, 26 August 2026)
  Enjoy a warm breakfast after a good night's rest, before we start to explore the arid mountain area. A visit to this area is not completed if you did not visit the rugged territory of Riemvasmaak and the healing Hot Springs. The 4x4 trail is just a must-do-event. Dinner will be served at Lake Grappa.

  Day 4,5 & 6 (Thursday 27 to 29 August 2026)
  After breakfast, we travel west to the heart of the Namaqualand, Springbok. The 4-Star Daisy Country Lodge (dinner, bed & breakfast), in Springbok will be our base for the next three nights. From here we will start exploring all the different flowering areas along spectacular gravel roads in the northern part of this flower phenomenon region.

  But we must visit Klein Pella, the largest date farms in the Southern Hemisphere before undertaking a 4x4 trail along the Oranje River.

  Dinner will be ready each night at 19h00. It is then time to share your day's experiences with your flower companions.

Exclusive 4x4 Flower tour just for 12 people   

Contact Jannie for a detailed itinerary: info@protea4x4.co.za or 083 268 0566

Kingdom in the Sky Expedition, Eastern Free State & Lesotho.

20 to 25 November 2026 : BOOK NOW!! ONLY 6 PLACES LEFT!.

Catered accommodation with dinner, bed & breakfast

• Spend this self-made long weekend conquering the Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho.
  • Explore the massive concrete arch of the Katse dam, join a guided tour of the inside of the dam wall that is 185m tall and stretching nearly 700m.
  • The rolling mountains will take your breath away, not to mention the green mountains, wildflowers, water falls and the mountain views.
  • Loads of mountain passes awaits you plus the highest tarred mountain pass close to the Afriski Resort, the longest single span bridge over the Senqu River and plenty more awaits you…
  • We will be travelling across the thin-air heights of the Drakensberg.
  • Explorer the summer beauty of the Drakensberg and the Country in the Sky.
  • Suitable for all 4x4, 4x2, and AWD vehicles.
  

Exclusive High Altitude Tour just for 10 people.   

Contact Jannie for a detailed itinerary: info@protea4x4.co.za or 083 268 0566

Leatherback Sea Turtle Tour, Kosi Bay - Egg-laying & hatching of Loggerhead Sea turtles.

7-12 February 2027 :

4-Star Kosi Bay Lodge - Fully Catered + Activities

• Come and experience Mother Nature, displaying just how complex the Creation is. You will find it hard to refrain from crying/cheering when the hatchlings finally get into the foam line and paddles out into the warm Indian Ocean. With around one out of a thousand hatchlings surviving and making its way back to the same hatching beach after 17-33 years to lay their cluster of eggs (around 450 eggs in batches of 100- 120 per session), in doing so, securing the existence of the sea turtle specie!

  Pack your bags, load your 4x4 and head out with us to witness the oldest hatching ritual on the planet taking place right in front of your eyes, and discover the endangered Palmnut Vulture.

  One of the greatest SECRET ESCAPES that awaits you in Zululand, South Africa.
  • The 4-Star Kosi Bay Lodge, and the surroundings areas of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is just something you must experience.
  • Discovering all the natural jewels this coastal forest and lakes system has to offer.
  • If you are looking to truly indulge in the beauty of South Africa, it is worth exploring the unique activities that we offer on this tour, pack your bags, and load your 4x4 for a drive of a lifetime.
  • Snorkel in crystal clear water, the lagoon’s coral reef is situated at Kosi Bay Mouth and the beauty is that you need no experience, just a spirit for adventure. The reef offers plenty fish life.
  • A day on a private boat cruise, the crystal-clear lake system of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, offering a variety of birdlife, snorkelling, and beautiful vistas.
  • Snorkel amongst the 700-year-old Tsonga fish kraals along the edge of the Mangrove Forest.
  • Visit the Thembe Elephant Park, home to the largest Elephants in Africa.
  • The rare Raffia Palm Forest Walk, in search of the endangered Palmnut Vulture, African Pygmy Goose, Trumped Hornbill, and all the other small creatures that is endemic to this area!
  • Witness how the endangered loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles lay their eggs and experience the astonishing thrill as hundreds of hatchlings dash of to the ocean only to return 17 years later to the same beach to lay their eggs!
  • A 6-days, 5-nights fully catered 4-Star Lodge tour (dinner, bed, and breakfast) all units offer aircon’s.
  

Exclusive Sea Turtle Tour just for 16 people.   

Contact Jannie for a detailed itinerary: info@protea4x4.co.za or 083 268 0566

Frontier 4x4 Mountain Passes, Eastern Cape

25 March to 3 April 2027

Fully Catered Lodge and 5-Star Hotel Accommodation

• 

• The Eastern Cape has a rich cultural heritage. This was the home of the first Frontier explorers and the region is also rich in history dating back to ancient times. It offers you the perfect space to take some time out and marvel at the beauty around and above you!

  The area is nestled deep within the slopes of the Drakensberg mountains and is surrounded by incredible rock formations and captivating fossil beds. Rock art and engraving dating back roughly 10 000 years tell the stories of the San/Bushmen who were the first inhabitants of the land. Enjoy guided walks and tours to fully experience the wonders of history.

  The area has become a hub of the best off-the-beaten-track adventures. With the focal points for the highest, meanest, gravel passes in South Africa. The aim is to conqueror some of the most spectacular Eastern Cape high altitude gravel passes! We will guide you over 12 of the most beautiful high-altitude gravel passes whilst enjoying the beautiful Eastern Cape highlands scenery.

  This gravel pass tour is a must-do experience for all Outdoors, Fly-fishing, Trout anglers, Birding, Photographers and Nature Enthusiasts alike – it is a breath-taking area and is guaranteed to leave you with plenty of memories to share with your friends & family.

  Day 3
  After breakfast, something different. We have the following on the to-do-list, TIERKRANZ Pass, NEW ENGLAND, and the BALLOCH Pass with some of the best Sandstone formations, Bridges, unique tri-verse railway line and bridges, not to mentions the rivers the area offers. It's time to explore more gravel backroads on our way back to the Hotel. The pictureous village of Rhodes awaits you for a three-night stay in the historic Rhodes Hotel offering us dinner/bed & breakfast Dinner will be ready at 19h00.

  Day 4
  After an early breakfast we head to the lovely LUNDEAN'S PASS with it's 101 bends and amazing views. Pack a picnic bag, camera, birding book, and your binoculars for each day.

  Dinner will be ready at 19h00 at the Rhodes Hotel.

  Day 5
  After breakfast we depart to explore two gravel mountain passes, the CARLISLEHOEKSPRUIT Pass (2 563m) and then down VOLUNTEERSHOEK Pass (2 581m) Between these two passes are the highest freshwater dam in SA, if you have your fly-fishing gear with you, we will spend some time here.

  Our last dinner here will be served at 19h00 at the Hotel.

Exclusive 4x4 Mountain Passes Tour just for 12 people.   

Contact Jannie for a detailed itinerary: info@protea4x4.co.za or 083 268 0566

Namib Adventure Safari, Namibia.

15-29 May 2027

4x4 Camping Safari
Off-road camping adventure of note!

• Experience the "Unhurried" Lifestyle This safari is designed to help you disconnect from the rush and reconnect with nature.
  • Crystal Clear Skies: May offers crisp air and cloudless nights, making for world-class stargazing.
  • A Rare Transformation: Following the historic rains of recent years, you’ll witness a side of the desert—from lush patches to filled vleis—that very few people will ever see again.
  • Expert Guidance: Led by Jannie and Ansu, you’ll enjoy a seamless blend of adventure, safety, and warm hospitality.
  • "Once a year, go somewhere you have never been before." They say Namibia doesn’t just show you, its beauty; it crawls deep into your soul, ensuring you’ll always find your way back. In May 2027,
  • Join us for an expedition into a land of extremes, where wide horizons meet the "sounds of silence" under the brightest stars on the planet.
  • Note to Novices: Don't be intimidated! We welcome first-time 4x4 drivers and campers. We are here to teach, guide, and share the magic of the African outdoors with you.
  • All our campsites and activities are confirmed reservations.
  • ONLY suitable for 4x4 vehicles, off-road campers, and tents

Exclusive 4x4 Desert Camping Tour just for 14 people.   

Contact Jannie for a detailed itinerary: info@protea4x4.co.za or 083 268 0566