Protea Ridge

Getting to Protea Ridge is all part
of the adventure!

During the dry winter months, the roads are bumpy, dusty and poorly maintained. One of the reasons this part of Pondoland remains so beautiful and unspoiled is because of the poor roads and accessibility. 

The roads in the area have been described as shocking and whilst they can be bone-jarring, We don’t mind. The journey is completely do-able, in a small hire car from the Durban airport, and driving the 5 hours South to Protea Ridge – as long as the roads are dry! The road from Durban is all tar except for the final 40 km from Lusikisiki, which are taken on the “dirt road”! The average speed for these final 40km, is approximately 30-40km per hour, so expect a final leg of just over an hour. It’s a beautiful drive over several hills and valleys, as one winds your way over three rivers and small bridges, down towards sea level. Always in the distance ahead and a good landmark is the Protea Ridge cellphone mast which assists our entire area with network and decent communications. If you’re unfamiliar with the road it’s advised not to take the road after sunset if possible. Take your time. There is no rush.

Once leaving Port Edward in the South of KwaZulu-Natal, you are into the old and former Transkei region of South Africa’s Eastern Cape. The roads are not as good, are windy and animals, from horses, cattle, pigs and donkeys are common on or close to the verges. Please also be aware of pedestrians always. You are now driving on the R61. Drive through Flagstaff, looking out for the ring road just before the town and carry on to Lusikisiki, which you drive through. As you leave Lusikisiki, with the Engen Garage on your right, look out for the left turn on the concrete road towards Mboytji and the Magwa Tea Estate.  At the end of the concrete road DO NOT turn right towards Mboytji but proceed straight. You are now on the dust road. After 500m, take the right fork in the road and keep going. Eventually you will cross the three streams and their small bridges before finding the Protea Ridge turnoff and it’s interesting stone pillar. You are not lost!! Keep going!

wild coast south africa accommodation protea ridge

From the South, cross the mighty Umzimvubu River at Port Saint Johns and proceed (through the forested tar road of 166 bends and more) towards Lusikisiki. Please be aware of goats and donkeys here. You are on the R61. You will arrive in the village of Lusikisiki with the Engen on your left and the concrete road turnoff to your right. After filling up turn onto the concrete road. You are now only 40km from Protea Ridge. 

The Summertime, and rainy season trip to Emampondweni, can be it’s own best adventure too. When the road is dry it’s fine! When it’s wet it can become almost impassable and very tricky. That said, it’s easy these days to watch the weather and plan your leave or arrivals day accordingly. 

Those short of time, can cut the journey down to just 25 minutes via helicopter from Margate Airport which also has the local Avis Car Rental depot. Flying along the Wild Coast into Protea Ridge, a remarkable way to arrive. 

“The old Second World War airstrip at Mkweni, not far from Protea Ridge, (about 5 km) is maintained and managed by legendary Transkei family, the Goss’s. Large fixed-wing charter planes flying out of Lanseria in Johannesburg or Virginia in Durban utilise this grass runway from time to time. The cheaper option of a small plane from Margate is on the cards for the future.”

Flying from or to Mthata or East London in the South or King Shaka at Durban is also an option. Please discuss with management the different shuttle options to and from these locations.  

From Joburg, take the N3 to Howick and then join the R617 via Bulwer and Underberg to Kokstad. Buy some world class biltong from EG Meat supply, then  proceed over Brookes Nek on the N2, before turning left onto the Flagstaff road, which joins the R61 at the turnpike junction of Magusheni (which has a small tavern and petrol station and delicious ox-tripe and samp and beans). Caution animals on the road! 

Safe Travels and Bon Voyage. Uhambe KaKuhle.

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Important Note

PLEASE BE AWARE

Municipal services do not reach far down into the rural areas. With this in mind please remember:

All water at Protea Ridge is either harvested during rainy days for drinking, or pumped from the borehole to the concrete reservoir for kitchens, bathrooms and showers. Please use water sparingly and considerately.

Littering is not tolerated at Protea Ridge. Use the bins provided.

Stow it, don’t throw it.

Protea Ridge is serviced by Eskom but only has limited generator power for emergencies and for keeping deep freezes cold. Always bring a torch as management has no control over the Eskom power supply. Candles and/or small solar lights are provided. 

Getting to Protea Ridge is all part of the adventure!

During the dry winter months, the roads are bumpy, dusty and poorly maintained. One of the reasons this part of Pondoland remains so beautiful and unspoiled is because of the poor roads and accessibility. 

The roads in the area have been described as shocking and whilst they can be bone-jarring, We don’t mind. The journey is completely do-able, in a small hire car from the Durban airport, and driving the 5 hours South to Protea Ridge – as long as the roads are dry! The road from Durban is all tar except for the final 40 km from Lusikisiki, which are taken on the “dirt road”! The average speed for these final 40km, is approximately 30-40km per hour, so expect a final leg of just over an hour. It’s a beautiful drive over several hills and valleys, as one winds your way over three rivers and small bridges, down towards sea level. Always in the distance ahead and a good landmark is the Protea Ridge cellphone mast which assists our entire area with network and decent communications. If you’re unfamiliar with the road it’s advised not to take the road after sunset if possible. Take your time. There is no rush.

Once leaving Port Edward in the South of KwaZulu-Natal, you are into the old and former Transkei region of South Africa’s Eastern Cape. The roads are not as good, are windy and animals, from horses, cattle, pigs and donkeys are common on or close to the verges. Please also be aware of pedestrians always. You are now driving on the R61. Drive through Flagstaff, looking out for the ring road just before the town and carry on to Lusikisiki, which you drive through. As you leave Lusikisiki, with the Engen Garage on your right, look out for the left turn on the concrete road towards Mboytji and the Magwa Tea Estate.  At the end of the concrete road DO NOT turn right towards Mboytji but proceed straight. You are now on the dust road. After 500m, take the right fork in the road and keep going. Eventually you will cross the three streams and their small bridges before finding the Protea Ridge turnoff and it’s interesting stone pillar. You are not lost!! Keep going!

wild coast south africa accommodation protea ridge

From the South, cross the mighty Umzimvubu River at Port Saint Johns and proceed (through the forested tar road of 166 bends and more) towards Lusikisiki. Please be aware of goats and donkeys here. You are on the R61. You will arrive in the village of Lusikisiki with the Engen on your left and the concrete road turnoff to your right. After filling up turn onto the concrete road. You are now only 40km from Protea Ridge. 

The Summertime, and rainy season trip to Emampondweni, can be it’s own best adventure too. When the road is dry it’s fine! When it’s wet it can become almost impassable and very tricky. That said, it’s easy these days to watch the weather and plan your leave or arrivals day accordingly. 

Those short of time, can cut the journey down to just 25 minutes via helicopter from Margate Airport which also has the local Avis Car Rental depot. Flying along the Wild Coast into Protea Ridge, a remarkable way to arrive. 

“The old Second World War airstrip at Mkweni, not far from Protea Ridge, (about 5 km) is maintained and managed by legendary Transkei family, the Goss’s. Large fixed-wing charter planes flying out of Lanseria in Johannesburg or Virginia in Durban utilise this grass runway from time to time. The cheaper option of a small plane from Margate is on the cards for the future.”

Flying from or to Mthata or East London in the South or King Shaka at Durban is also an option. Please discuss with management the different shuttle options to and from these locations.  

From Joburg, take the N3 to Howick and then join the R617 via Bulwer and Underberg to Kokstad. Buy some world class biltong from EG Meat supply, then  proceed over Brookes Nek on the N2, before turning left onto the Flagstaff road, which joins the R61 at the turnpike junction of Magusheni (which has a small tavern and petrol station and delicious ox-tripe and samp and beans). Caution animals on the road! 

Safe Travels and Bon Voyage. Uhambe KaKuhle.

Important Note

PLEASE BE AWARE

Municipal services do not reach far down into the rural areas. With this in mind please remember:

All water at Protea Ridge is either harvested during rainy days for drinking, or pumped from the borehole to the concrete reservoir for kitchens, bathrooms and showers. Please use water sparingly and considerately.

Littering is not tolerated at Protea Ridge. Use the bins provided.

Stow it, don’t throw it.

Protea Ridge is serviced by Eskom but only has limited generator power for emergencies and for keeping deep freezes cold. Always bring a torch as management has no control over the Eskom power supply. Candles and/or small solar lights are provided.