Nissan’s Daring Africa 2024 has wrapped up its Kenya leg, the expedition’s penultimate stop before going to Egypt.
Almost There! Catch up on the Nissan Daring Expedition
There’s quite a bit to catch up on since the Nissan Daring Africa 2024 expedition set foot on Zimbabwean soil. The audacious journey, which set off from Rosslyn with an ambitious plan to traverse eight countries across Africa isn’t only about crossing borders or clocking kilometres. It’s a testament to the resilience of the team and the vehicle they command.
The goal? To showcase the rugged capabilities of the Nissan Navara, a vehicle crafted for the challenges of African terrain, as it takes on a 7,000-kilometre adventure through some of the continent’s toughest landscapes.
Traversing Africa’s Majestic Terrain
Almost There! Catch up on the Nissan Daring Expedition
As the expedition delved deeper into the Zimbabwean terrain, the Nissan Navara continued to demonstrate its prowess. The crew, which consisted of four Nissan Navaras and an X-Trail support vehicle navigated through the scenic hilly landscape of the Eastern Highlands to meet at Mutare. There, they joined local media representatives and Nissan employees for an off-road excursion to the awe-inspiring Mutarazi Falls and the picturesque surroundings before heading on to Harare.
After experiencing the vibrant energy of Harare, the team set their sights northward, navigating the majestic Kariba Dam into Zambia and venturing deep into the untamed wilderness of the Luangwa Valley. The journey was a true test of endurance, pushing the Navara to its limits as it traversed through the wild beauty of Zambia’s untamed landscapes.
Onwards, the team headed east towards the shores of Lake Malawi, navigating through rough landscapes and untouched wilderness with determination. They then crossed the northern parts of Tanzania before venturing into the wilds of Kenya. Throughout these varied terrains, the Navara showcased its strength and resilience, tackling Africa’s challenging roads with great resolve.
Almost There! Catch up on the Nissan Daring Expedition
“It has been an amazing journey so far,” says Nissan South Africa and Independent Markets Africa’s managing director, Maciej Klenkiewicz. “We set out to celebrate our African footprint and our 60-year-old light commercial vehicle (LCV) legacy on the continent through this incredible vehicle which, of course, was designed for Africa and is built in Africa by Africans.”
As the drivers journeyed through the countries, the fully accessorised expedition Navaras were showcased at select Nissan dealerships for public viewing. Alongside the tough and built-for-more Navara was the newly launched Xtrail, which proved its worth as a daring family car.
Nissan’s Commitment To The Continent
Built locally in the Rosslyn Plant, North of Pretoria, the Nissan Navara aims to highlight the capability of the entire Navara range in tackling Africa’s toughest road conditions. At the same time, the expedition seeks to link the two manufacturing hubs: Rosslyn in South Africa and Cairo in Egypt, while showcasing the incredible partner network the Japanese automaker has along the route.
Almost There! Catch up on the Nissan Daring Expedition
Furthermore, Nissan’s dedication to Africa is evident in its recent expansion into new markets in North Africa, achieving representation in every African country. This includes the upcoming introduction of the Navara to Algeria, Libya, and Egypt, which will be a pivotal step in Nissan’s continental growth strategy.
Certainly, it’s a notable feat for a vehicle to complete a bottom-to-top trip and do it unscathed. It’s further proof why the all-new Navara clinched the prestigious 2022 South African Car of the Year Award in the double cab category.
Daring Africa now sets its sights on Egypt, marking the epic finale of this captivating adventure.
