This adventure isn’t about scenic highways or scenic pit stops. The Top Gear crew will be covering 1000 kilometers (621 miles) entirely on off-road terrain. Their path closely follows the Orange River along South Africa’s western border with Namibia, cutting through harsh deserts, rocky mountains, deep valleys, and remote wilderness. Unlike previous Top Gear specials, this journey includes zero paved roads from start to finish.

If successful, the team will enter the Guinness World Records for completing the longest off-road drive ever, setting a new benchmark for endurance and automotive resilience in one of Africa’s most extreme environments.

To survive this tough journey, the team won’t rely on just any trucks. They’ll use specially enhanced versions of the Nissan Navara Warrior, developed by Australian off-road experts Premcar. These trucks have been upgraded with a raised suspension (by 1.5 inches), reinforced shock absorbers, all-terrain tires, and protective roll bars, all tailored for brutal off-road conditions.

According to Top Gear SA’s media lead, Avon Middleton, Nissan South Africa approached them to push the new Navara Warrior to its absolute limits. The result? A challenge that even legendary Top Gear adventures like the Arctic special or Botswana expedition can’t quite match.

Compared to some of the most iconic challenges from Clarkson, Hammond, and May, this off-road quest goes beyond in both scale and difficulty. The Arctic trip covered just 350 off-road miles, while the Botswana journey included many stretches of paved roads. Even the treacherous Okavango Delta episode didn't attempt 1000 kilometers in pure wilderness alone.

If all goes to plan, the Top Gear SA team expects to reach the Atlantic Ocean by April 4th, sealing what could become the greatest off-road challenge in Top Gear history. From start to finish, the journey tests not only their vehicles but also their resolve, making this an unforgettable chapter in the legacy of Top Gear.