The modern overlander understands a fundamental truth about outdoor gear: a product only proves its worth when the dust settles. Buying high-end camping equipment or 4×4 accessories from a glossy catalogue or a sterile indoor convention centre often leaves enthusiasts guessing about real-world performance. Fortunately, an ultimate off-road testing ground returns to the Swartland.
The highly anticipated kykNET Buite-Ekspo Western Cape roars back to life over the weekend of 13 to 15 March 2026. Hosted on the picturesque Môreson farm just 10 kilometres outside Malmesbury – and a mere 30-minute drive from Cape Town on the N7 – this premier event represents the pinnacle of the South African outdoor lifestyle.
Celebrating its 31st iteration and 15th year of existence, the expo consistently attracts upwards of 20,000 outdoor aficionados. This year, organisers promise an even more expansive and action-packed itinerary.
Fast Facts & Ticket Prices
To help you plan your ultimate outdoor weekend, here is everything you need to know about entry fees and operating hours. Tickets are available online via Open Tickets or at the gates.
- Friday, 13 March (12h00 – 21h00): Adults R60 | Pensioners R30 | Children (4-18) R30
- Saturday, 14 March (09h00 – 21h00): Adults R120 | Pensioners R70 | Children (4-18) R70
- Sunday, 15 March (09h00 – 15h00): Adults R80 | Pensioners R40 | Children (4-18) R40
- Full Weekend Packages: Adults R180 | Pensioners R90 | Children (4-18) R90
Click on the YouTube video below to know more about the 2026 kykNET Buite-Ekspo Western Cape:
Interactive Gear Showcases: See Equipment in the Dirt
For the dedicated SA4x4 reader, the primary drawcard remains the massive array of top-tier outdoor, camping, and off-road exhibitors. Due to unprecedented industry interest, event coordinators have added 30 brand-new exhibition areas for 2026 – all of which sold out months in advance.
Exhibitors operate from Friday 12h00 to 18h00, Saturday 09h00 to 18h00, and Sunday 09h00 to 15h00. Unlike traditional indoor motor shows, the Môreson farm provides a safe, authentic outdoor atmosphere.
Manufacturers and retailers display off-road trailers, heavy-duty suspension kits, recovery gear, dual-battery systems, and canvas tents exactly as buyers would use them in the wild. Attendees can inspect the stitching on a rooftop tent, measure the ground clearance of a rugged caravan, and discuss technical specifications directly with the experts who build the gear.
Click on the YouTube video below for a more in-depth walkthrough of what to expect at this event:
Dust, Diff-Locks, and Adrenaline: The 4×4 Experiences
A true 4×4 showcase requires action, and the 2026 kykNET Buite-Ekspo delivers immersive vehicle experiences in spades. Off-road enthusiasts can leave the static displays behind and strap into the passenger seats of highly capable rigs.
The legendary André de Villiers returns with his purpose-built kykNET obstacle course (operating Friday 12h00 to 18h00, Saturday 10h00 to 18h00, and Sunday 10h00 to 15h00).
Here, experienced drivers take members of the public along for thrilling, free-of-charge rides, demonstrating precise vehicle control over severe axle-twisters and steep inclines.
Fans of formidable, heavily modified rigs can also experience the free Maxxis Maniac 4×4 drives, feeling the raw power and traction of specialised Jeeps conquering the dirt.
Furthermore, Suzuki brings its legendary off-road heritage to the Swartland. Suzuki specialists offer free 4×4 experiences in the plucky, unstoppable Jimny, allowing visitors to witness how this compact powerhouse navigates challenging terrain with ease.
Taking to the Skies and Entertaining the Kids
While hardcore overlanders inspect winches and all-terrain tyres, the kykNET Buite-Ekspo ensures the rest of the family remains thoroughly entertained.
Mossel Bay Helicopters offers breathtaking aerial tours of the Swartland. For just R580 per person (accommodating three passengers per flight), attendees can view the expansive farmlands and the bustling expo grounds from the sky. Flights run throughout the weekend (Friday 13h00–17h00, Saturday 09h30–18h00, and Sunday 09h30–15h00), providing a thrilling memory for adventure seekers.
Organisers have specifically designed the event to cater to families. Children have their own dedicated paradise at the Henties Fruit Juices inflatable play park and the Gecko Kids Adventures area. Youngsters can burn off energy on trampolines, pedal karts, and safe quad bike tracks.
On Sunday morning, nostalgia and magic take centre stage as Margit Meyer-Rödenbeck and Deon van Zyl bring the beloved characters of Liewe Heksie en die Wals to life, surprising and delighting the little ones.
Meanwhile, spouses and visitors looking for artisanal goods can explore the highly popular arts and crafts market, which features a wide variety of high-quality, locally produced items.
Sizzling Pots, Suidooster Stars, and Live Tunes
A South African outdoor festival remains incomplete without exceptional food and a vibrant atmosphere. The 2026 expo introduces an inspiring new charity concept alongside Jimmy’s Sauces. Following massive success in Hartenbos, the “Pot Vol Liefde” initiative arrives in the Western Cape.
On Sunday, 15 March, between 10h00 and 12h00, attendees can gather around the fires to watch famous kykNET personalities prepare massive, flavourful potjiekos. Supported by Samaritan’s Feet South Africa, this initiative ensures that every single pot provides 100 plates of food to local needy organisations for a warm Sunday meal.
Fans have the unique opportunity to meet beloved Suidooster actors, including Eden Classens (Justin), Craig Adriaanse (Gary), Irvine van der Merwe (Nazeem), and Simone Biscombe (Bianca), as they stir the pots for a fantastic cause.
As the sun dips below the Swartland horizon, the Jimmy’s Sauces artists’ stage, hosted by the weekend’s MC Chanel Lotz, provides world-class local entertainment. While organisers maintain that the event focuses heavily on the outdoor lifestyle rather than operating as a dedicated music festival, the lineup remains undeniably stellar.
Visitors can enjoy live performances by Wicus van der Merwe, Veldblom, Andriëtte, Brandon Miles and his band, Blackie Swart, David Fourie, Die Broers, Johan Liebenberg, Christo and Cobus, and Byron Minnie. The celebrated artist Jay takes the stage to close out the Saturday evening festivities with a memorable performance.
Thirsty adventurers can recount the day’s 4×4 action over a cold draught in the lively beer garden or sample premium local vintages and delightful deli products in the designated wine garden. A massive variety of food vendors ensures that every craving, from traditional festival food to hearty meals, receives prompt attention.
Secure Access to a Premier Outdoor Event of 2026
The 31st kykNET Buite-Ekspo Western Cape masterfully balances hardcore 4×4 displays, premium camping gear exhibitions, and wholesome family entertainment. It presents the perfect weekend escape for overlanders who want to research their next big gear purchase while ensuring their families enjoy a spectacular day out.
Camping and “glamping” weekend packages remain highly sought after, allowing hardcore enthusiasts to stay close to the action from Friday through Sunday. For those visiting for the day, the expo offers exceptionally competitive ticket prices, ranging from R30 for children to R120 for adults, depending on the chosen day.
To streamline entry and avoid gate queues, organisers strongly encourage attendees to secure their tickets online.
Click on the gallery below to see more of what is in-store at the kykNET Buite-Ekspo Western Cape:
Are You Ready to Upgrade Your Off-Road Lifestyle?
Complete the enquiry form below to receive more information on ticket sales, glamping packages, and exhibitor locations, or visit the official website at www.ekspo.co.za to secure your spot at one of the greatest outdoor showcases in the Western Cape.
