First broadcast in November 2007 as part of Series 10, the is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, specials in the show’s history. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May travelled to Botswana with a simple mission: to prove that cheap, secondhand rear-wheel-drive cars bought in Africa for less than £1,500 were better than SUVs for crossing the country’s challenging terrain.
When selecting a , there are several key features to consider:
: In a running gag for the special, the producers provided a Beetle as a backup car. Because the trio hated it, they were highly motivated to keep their original cars running to avoid having to drive it. The Journey: 1,000 Miles of Punishment
: The episode faced criticism from conservationists who claimed the tyre tracks left across the "pristine wilderness" of the Makgadikgadi salt pans would remain visible for decades. The "Scrap" Cars
They faced the risk of sinking permanently, making the journey a high-stakes adventure. top gear botswana cars
Each presenter was given a budget of to purchase a car that had no off-road pedigree. 1963 Opel Kadett
(James May) : May selected the Mercedes because it was a vehicle "Africa favored and loved". Known for its durability and old-school German engineering, it quietly completed the journey with minimal issues compared to the others. 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé
Before embarking on your Botswana adventure, make sure you're well-prepared:
The car's darkest hour came during the crossing of the Okavango Delta. While wading through a deep river, Oliver swallowed water, stalled, and sank to the riverbed. Hammond’s genuine, tearful heartbreak became one of the most emotional moments in Top Gear history. After a frantic mechanical resurrection by the support crew, Oliver fired back to life. Hammond eventually shipped the car back to the UK, where it remains in his personal collection to this day. James May’s 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E First broadcast in November 2007 as part of
The Lancia was plagued by electrical issues from the start. It refused to start on numerous occasions, requiring constant jump-starts. To keep the engine cool and reduce weight, Clarkson stripped the car down to its bare bones. Despite the constant breakdowns, the Lancia survived the brutal salt flats and the rough dirt tracks of the Okavango. It became a symbol of Clarkson's stubbornness and the unpredictable charm of Italian engineering. 2. Richard Hammond’s 1963 Opel Kadett ("Oliver")
As per Top Gear tradition, a universally hated back-up car followed the trio in case their primary vehicles died completely. For this special, it was a bright yellow Volkswagen Beetle. Because none of the presenters wanted to drive it, they went to extreme lengths to ensure their own cheap cars kept running. Ironically, all three original cars made it to the finish line, leaving the Beetle unused. Legacy of the Botswana Cars
The most iconic segment of the episode came when the trio reached the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The surface had a thin crust, and underneath was a sticky, muddy substance. Clarkson and May's heavier cars immediately broke through, forcing them to strip down to the bare metal. Hammond, who had grown attached to Oliver, refused to dismantle his car, and the Opel proved light enough to cross the pan without modification, only shedding the spare tire and radiator grill.
Tell me to expand this article. Share public link Because the trio hated it, they were highly
For travel across Botswana’s varied and often harsh terrain, rugged, simple, diesel pickups or SUVs (exemplified by the Toyota Hilux in the episode) provide the best balance of capability, reliability, and serviceability. Road-focused or small cars can be modified for short challenges but are not recommended as primary expedition vehicles.
The car was plagued by catastrophic electrical failures from the start.
If you ask any Top Gear fan to name their favorite episode, the conversation usually drifts to the Polar Special or the Vietnam trip. But true connoisseurs know that the crown jewel of the Clarkson, Hammond, and May era is undoubtedly the .