About Us
The name really speaks for itself! – Ultimate Adventures. it all started in 2008, with the dream of exploring Africa’s wildest destinations while delivering top-quality self-drive tours that the whole family could enjoy. Attention to detail and personalized service was the foundation of our business and hasn’t changed throughout the years. We have braved the snow-covered passes of Lesotho, to the highest dunes in the Namib, from beginners to professionals and even tracked from Joburg’s busy life to Tanzania’s magnificent Serengeti migration, if you ask us we have done it all.
Ultimate Adventures is our baby, and as a husband and wife partnership comes passion, dedication, and with this we differentiate ourselves from the rest. Our mission is to make every adventure memorable and to create stories that will be told for years to come. Every person on an Ultimate Adventures trip arrives as a guest and leaves as a family member!
One thing to remember….you don’t have to have the best 4×4 by far, you don’t have to be the most experienced camper, what you have to be is a lover of the outdoors, the one that seeks new adventures and new friends, one that enjoys sunsets and sunrises with a twist, may it be elephants in your view, or the never ending valleys and mountains of Africa’s finest destinations….let’s be honest, no one could say no to this!
Simon Steadman, co-owner of Ultimate Adventures, a registered Professional 4×4 Trails and Overland Tourist Guide, 4×4 driver training instructor and assessor and sat on the founding committee of OGATO (Overland Guides and Tour Operators). I have been guiding off-road trails and tours since 2006 to some of Africa’s wildest destinations including a 44-Day expedition to the Serengeti. One of his greatest assets as a tour guide is his ability to remain calm in the most trying of circumstances and to think clearly and logically while under pressure. Other good traits that go down well with his clients are his fine cooking skills, warm and gentle nature, and the great hospitality that anyone enjoys.The co-author of the very successful “4×4 Routes of Southern Africa” book published by Mapsource in 2011, contributing two chapters to the publication. The host and executive producer of the successful off-road DVD,” Ultimate Off-Road Guide Volume 1”, with Volume 22 just being completed and available to order.
Desiree Steadman, Co – owner of Ultimate Adventures. With a passion for the outdoors and the great desire to make every adventure memorable. I work well with groups of people and always brings the fun factor. With 5 years of corporate Sales and Marketing experience, it is in me to build relationships, and understand the needs and requirements of every client, ensuring Ultimate Adventures continuously delivers top quality service. I am passionate about conservation, making me the ideal candidate to head up the conservation department and is continuously on the lookout for new conservation initiatives for Ultimate Adventures to support. All of these qualities ensure that clients of Ultimate Adventures will always leave us feeling part of our adventure family.
Louwrens Fouche – A Driving Force Behind Ultimate Adventures
Louwrens Fouche joined the Ultimate Adventures family in 2023, quickly establishing himself as an integral part of the team with his exceptional leadership and expertise. As a qualified and registered FGASA Field and Cultural Guide, Louwrens embodies the Ultimate Adventures ethos by delivering unparalleled knowledge and an unwavering passion for showcasing Africa’s breath-taking beauty. With years of experience guiding tours across Southern Africa, he ensures that each journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
Louwrens’ diverse and dynamic background reflects his adventurous spirit and wide-ranging skillset. An accomplished adventure motorcycle tour guide (with extensive experience in Tanzania, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe), 4×4 and advanced driving instructor, professional animal handler, skipper, and yacht crew member—he is the ultimate embodiment of versatility. Yet, his true passion lies in immersing traveller’s in nature, celebrating cultural diversity, and fostering meaningful connections through unforgettable adventures. Whether navigating awe-inspiring landscapes or creating moments of camaraderie, Louwrens consistently inspires and captivates those who travel with him.
Since earning his guiding qualification in 2009 in the picturesque Western Cape Province, Louwrens has steadily expanded his expertise throughout the Southern African region, becoming a trusted authority and sought-after guide in his field.
In November 2025, Louwrens acquired Ultimate Adventures Tour Company from its visionary founders, Simon and Desiree Steadman. While honouring the company’s established values and legacy, Louwrens has embarked on a bold new chapter—introducing innovative initiatives to position Ultimate Adventures as the leading 4×4 self-drive tour operator on the African continent.
With Louwrens at the helm, Ultimate Adventures continues to redefine exploration by delivering journeys that are as transformative as they are unforgettable.