When we think of iconic road trips in automotive television history, one episode stands perched at the summit, dustier and more battered than the rest: Top Gear’s Botswana Special (Series 10, Episode 4). While the later Bolivia and Vietnam specials are masterpieces, the journey from the panhandle of Botswana to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans remains the purest distillation of what made the Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May era so perfect.
But the true stars of that 2007 episode weren't the presenters—they were the three rolling wrecks they bought for £1,500 each. The Top Gear Botswana cars—a Lancia Beta Coupe, an Opel Kadett, and a Mercedes-Benz 230E—have since achieved mythological status. This article explores why these specific cars were chosen, how they survived (or didn’t), and where they are today.
What separates this special from standard car reviews is the emotional narrative arc of Richard Hammond and "Oliver."
Throughout the trip, Hammond babied the Opel. He cleaned it, talked to it, and fixed it with care. By the time they reached the final stretch—a race to the border along the "animal roads"—Hammond had realized that he couldn't leave the car behind.
The climax of the episode saw the trio racing against the sunset. Clarkson’s Lancia was held together with duct tape and hope, May’s Mercedes was cruising effortlessly, and Hammond was pushing the little Opel to its absolute limit.
They crossed the border into Namibia. They had survived. The cars had survived.
In a heartwarming post-script, Hammond revealed that he had arranged to ship "Oliver" back to the UK. He restored the car, and to this day, "Oliver" remains a fixture in Hammond’s garage, appearing in his subsequent shows and social media. It was a testament to the idea that a car can be more than just a machine; it can be a companion.
The Top Gear Botswana Special represents a bygone era of television. It captured the spirit of adventure in a way that felt spontaneous and real. It gave us "Oliver," it gave us Clarkson hacking his car to pieces with an axe, and it proved that a Mercedes W123 is essentially indestructible.
Years later, automotive enthusiasts still talk about that trek across the Kalahari. It wasn't just about cars; it was about perseverance, friendship, and the joy of a terrible journey in good company.
In the 2007 Botswana Special (Series 10, Episode 4), Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May were tasked with buying a two-wheel-drive car for less than £1,500 to drive 1,000 miles across Botswana. The journey spanned from the Zimbabwean border, across the Makgadikgadi salt pans, through the Okavango Delta, and finally to the Namibian border. The Main Vehicles Richard Hammond Opel Kadett ("Oliver")
Hammond became emotionally attached to "Oliver," eventually shipping it back to the UK for restoration. Mercedes-Benz 230E
Chosen for its reputation for African durability, it survived the trip despite various mechanical issues. Jeremy Clarkson Lancia Beta Coupé
Plagued by constant breakdowns and electrical failures, it was widely considered the most unreliable of the trio. The Backup Car Volkswagen Beetle : The producers provided a
as a backup car. If any presenter’s car failed completely, they would be forced to drive the
for the remainder of the trip—a prospect all three hosts famously loathed Key Challenges & Modifications Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
: To avoid breaking through the thin salty crust into the "primeval ooze" beneath, the hosts stripped their cars of all non-essential weight, including seats, interior trim, and even window glass. Okavango Delta
: The cars faced deep sand and river crossings. Hammond famously "drowned"
in a river, but the car was miraculously revived by the team's bush mechanics Wildlife Protection
: In the game reserves, the hosts attempted to rebuild sections of their stripped cars using makeshift materials to protect themselves from lions and other predators. Where Are They Now?
Top Gear Botswana Cars: A Comprehensive Guide to Exploring the African Wilderness
The sun-kissed savannas of Botswana, a land of untamed beauty and unbridled adventure. For those who crave the thrill of the open road and the rugged charm of Africa's wild heart, Botswana is a paradise. And what better way to experience it than with a trusty vehicle by your side? In this article, we'll take you on a journey through the world of Top Gear Botswana Cars, showcasing the best rides for tackling the country's unforgiving terrain and taking in its breathtaking scenery.
Why Botswana?
Botswana is a gem of a destination for any traveler, boasting an incredible array of landscapes, from the lush Okavango Delta to the arid expanse of the Kalahari Desert. The country's sparse population and protected areas ensure that its natural beauty remains largely untouched, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and adventure-seekers. Whether you're a seasoned safari-goer or just looking for a taste of Africa's raw beauty, Botswana has something to offer. top gear botswana cars
The Right Car for the Job
When it comes to exploring Botswana's rugged terrain, a reliable vehicle is essential. The types of cars that thrive in this environment are those with a sturdy build, high ground clearance, and a robust engine. Botswana's roads can be challenging, with rocky terrain, sandy dunes, and occasional torrential downpours. A vehicle that can handle these conditions with ease is a must-have.
Top Gear Botswana Cars: Our Top Picks
Based on their performance, reliability, and off-road prowess, here are our top picks for Top Gear Botswana Cars:
Key Features to Consider
When selecting a Top Gear Botswana Car, there are several key features to consider:
Botswana's Best Routes
With your trusty Top Gear Botswana Car by your side, you're ready to tackle some of the country's most spectacular routes:
Safety and Preparation
Before embarking on your Botswana adventure, make sure you're well-prepared:
Conclusion
Botswana is a land of untamed beauty, where adventure-seekers and nature lovers can find their paradise. With the right Top Gear Botswana Car by your side, you'll be well-equipped to explore the country's rugged terrain, take in its breathtaking scenery, and experience the raw thrill of Africa's wild heart. Whether you're a seasoned safari-goer or just starting your African adventure, Botswana is a destination that will leave you in awe. So pack your bags, fuel up your vehicle, and get ready for the ultimate African adventure!
The 2007 Botswana Special (Series 10, Episode 4) is widely regarded by fans and critics as one of the show's greatest achievements. The challenge required Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May to cross 1,000 miles of rugged terrain—from the Zimbabwean border to Namibia—using only two-wheel-drive cars bought in Africa for less than £1,500. The Cars and Their Performance
Each presenter chose a vehicle that surprisingly reflected their personality and faced unique mechanical trials: 1963 Opel Kadett ("Oliver") – Richard Hammond
Performance: The lightest and most agile of the trio. It crossed the Makgadikgadi salt pans without needing to be stripped of its interior, unlike the other two.
Reliability: Mostly dependable, though it nearly "drowned" during a river crossing and suffered a broken steering rack after hitting a tree root.
Fate: Hammond became so attached to "Oliver" that he shipped it back to the UK, where he still owns it and has since fully restored it. 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E – James May
Performance: Chosen for its legendary reputation for ruggedness in Africa. It was the most comfortable but heavy, requiring May to strip it down to a bare shell to avoid sinking in the salt pans.
Reliability: Exceptionally reliable; it finished the trip with almost no major mechanical failures.
Fate: Initially left in Botswana, it was rediscovered in Maun years later and reunited with May in the final Grand Tour special, "One for the Road". 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé – Jeremy Clarkson
Performance: An unusual choice based on Lancia’s rally heritage, but it proved to be a "basket case" from the start.
Reliability: The most unreliable car on the trip, suffering from broken dials, multiple engine stalls, a jammed throttle, failing brakes, and a broken starter solenoid. It finished the trip by crashing into May's Mercedes because it had no brakes. When we think of iconic road trips in
Fate: Long thought scrapped, the original car was found on blocks in Botswana by fans in 2021. Clarkson was reunited with it during his final filming in 2024. Key Challenges and Modifications
The journey's difficulty forced "ridiculous as they were necessary" modifications:
The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans: To avoid sinking, Clarkson and May had to remove doors, windows, and seats.
Animal Proofing: For the Okavango Delta, cars were "fortified" with wood, corrugated metal, and even soda cans to deter predators.
The Backup Car: The producers provided a Volkswagen Beetle, which the trio despised. Ironically, it was the only car that never broke down once during the entire 1,000-mile journey. Final Verdict
Reviewers praise the special for its genuine sense of adventure and the rare emotional bond formed between the hosts and their "budget bangers". It transitioned the show from a standard motoring program to an iconic travelogue-comedy format.
Botswana Special (Series 10, Episode 4) is widely regarded as one of the show's greatest moments, marking their first major international "special" where the trio attempted to cross 1,000 miles of rugged terrain in cheap, two-wheel-drive cars. The Iconic Cars
The presenters were challenged to prove that people don't need massive SUVs for tough environments by purchasing cars for less than £1,500. Richard Hammond's 1963 Opel Kadett ("Oliver
"): Perhaps the most famous car in the show's history, Hammond became so attached to this tiny yellow car that he actually named it " ". Despite nearly sinking in a river crossing,
survived the trip and was later shipped back to the UK by Hammond.
Jeremy Clarkson's 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé: True to his "power" philosophy, Clarkson chose a car known for being both beautiful and notoriously unreliable. It suffered constant mechanical failures and required significant weight stripping—including removing its doors—to survive the Makgadikgadi salt pans.
James May's 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E: May chose a car legendary for its German engineering and durability. While it lacked the flair of the others, it was arguably the most practical choice for the grueling desert and bush terrain. Interesting Facts & Controversy
Environmental Impact: 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
: Per show rules, if any car broke down beyond repair, the presenter had to drive a "backup" car—a Volkswagen Beetle
. All three hosts found this prospect so "humiliating" that they worked tirelessly to keep their original cars running.
Full Circle: Nearly two decades later, in the final episode of The Grand Tour ("One for the Road"), the trio returned to Botswana and were reunited with the original Lancia and Mercedes, which were still sitting by the side of the road where they had been left.
For more detailed breakdowns of the show's best vehicles, you can check out lists like HotCars' Best Special Cars or dive into the fan discussions on the Top Gear Reddit. Top Gear's top international gaffes - BBC News
Top Gear Botswana Special is widely considered one of the show's most iconic episodes. The challenge required Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May to buy a used car in Africa for less than ($2,000) that was strictly two-wheel drive and not designed for off-road use.
Their 1,000-mile journey from the Zimbabwe border to the Namibia border took them across the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Okavango Delta The Presenters' Cars
The trio selected vehicles they believed could outperform modern SUVs in "leafy country lanes". Engine / Specs Why It Was Chosen 1963 Opel Kadett Richard Hammond 1.0L, 40hp
Chosen for no specific reason, but became a fan favorite nicknamed " 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E
Chosen for Mercedes' legendary reputation for reliability across Africa. 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé Jeremy Clarkson 2.0L (Automatic) Key Features to Consider When selecting a Top
Chosen because Lancias were historically successful rally cars. Performance and Modifications
To survive the treacherous salt pans, where heavy cars risk breaking through the crust into primeval ooze, the team had to make drastic changes.
In the 2007 Botswana Special, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May were tasked with driving across Botswana in used, two-wheel-drive cars bought for less than £1,500. Their mission was to prove these cars could handle rough terrain just as well as expensive SUVs. The Main Vehicles Opel Kadett
(nicknamed "Oliver"): Chosen by Richard Hammond, this small 1963 car became the breakout star of the episode. Hammond grew so attached to "Oliver" that he brought the car back to the UK, where he still owns it today. Mercedes-Benz 230E
: Selected by James May for its reputation for durability in Africa. During the journey, it underwent extreme weight-saving modifications, including removing all body panels. Lancia Beta Coupé
: Jeremy Clarkson's choice, picked for Lancia's rally pedigree. Despite frequent mechanical failures—particularly with its starter motor—it managed to finish the 1,000-mile journey. Volkswagen Beetle
(The Backup): This car served as the penalty for any presenter whose car failed completely. It was painted in a bright "backup" color to humiliate the driver. What Happened to Them?
Here’s a useful guide to the cars used in Top Gear’s Botswana Special (Series 10, Episode 4, 2007), where the trio crossed the Makgadikgadi salt flats and Okavango Delta with cheap second-hand cars.
The "Oliver" Phenomenon
Hammond famously bought a white, two-door Opel Kadett for just £400—well under budget. He named it "Oliver." This was the quintessential "Hamster" move: buying a car so old (over 40 years at filming) that it predated most safety regulations.
Verdict: Oliver is the most beloved Top Gear car of all time. Hammond later bought the car from the BBC and still owns it today, restored to its former glory.
In a move that baffled his co-hosts, Hammond bought a beige 1963 Opel Kadett. It was boxy, slow, and seemingly the least capable off-roader imaginable. Clarkson and May mocked him relentlessly, calling it "boring." However, the Kadett was built with simple, agricultural toughness. It was light, easy to fix, and unburdened by complex electronics. Hammond named the car "Oliver," and over the course of the trip, a genuine love affair blossomed between man and machine.
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.
If you want, I can expand this into a full technical appendix with suggested part numbers, detailed modification specs, or a gear checklist.
Surviving the Salt: The Legends of the Top Gear Botswana Special The 2007 Top Gear Botswana Special
remains a high-water mark for the series, proving that you don't need a customized 4x4 to cross a continent—you just need a bit of blind optimism and $1,500. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May were tasked with driving across Botswana, from the Zimbabwean border to the Namibian border, using only used two-wheel-drive cars that were never meant to see a dirt road, let alone the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans or the Okavango Delta [0.5.1]. Here are the three unlikely heroes of that journey: 1. The 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé (Jeremy Clarkson)
Chosen for its style rather than its reliability, the Lancia was the most "Top Gear" choice possible. Throughout the 1,000-mile trek, it suffered catastrophic suspension failures and constant overheating. Despite Clarkson’s insistence that it was a "supercar," it required more maintenance than the other two combined.
The Outcome: For years, it was believed to have been scrapped. However, as of 2020, the shell was discovered in Maun, Botswana, partially reassembled but missing its wheels and lights [0.5.2]. 2. "Oliver" – The 1963 Opel Kadett (Richard Hammond)
While Clarkson and May treated their cars like disposable tools, Hammond fell in love with his 1963 Opel Kadett, naming it "Oliver." Despite being the smallest and oldest car, Oliver survived the salt pans and even a full submersion in the Okavango Delta water crossings.
The Outcome: Oliver is the only car of the three that returned to the UK. Hammond loved the car so much he had it shipped back, restored it, and it has since appeared in several of his solo projects [0.5.2]. 3. The 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E (James May)
Ever the pragmatist, May chose a car known for its tank-like build quality. The Mercedes-Benz W123 is a staple of African taxi fleets, and it lived up to its reputation. While May spent most of the trip stripping the interior to save weight, the car remained remarkably reliable compared to the Lancia.
The Outcome: At the end of the trip, the Mercedes was donated to a local advisor who assisted the crew during filming [0.5.2]. The Backup: The Volkswagen Beetle
As a penalty for any car that broke down completely, the producers provided a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle (painted in a "clownish" theme). Ironically, the Beetle—with its rear-engine layout and air-cooled engine—was perfectly suited for the terrain. None of the hosts were forced to drive it, and it was ultimately donated to a bush mechanic in the support team [0.5.2].
The Botswana Special is widely regarded by fans as one of the best episodes in the show's history due to its combination of stunning scenery and the genuine mechanical peril of the chosen vehicles [0.5.3].