Epic Ranger Odyssey in pictures

Published Sep 22, 2014

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Pretoria - The 2014 Ranger Odyssey has wrapped up an epic 2500km, 12-day 4x4 adventure through north-western Namibia with flying colours.

 

The expedition started from Johannesburg on 7 September with a flight to Windhoek; at the first overnight camp in Kamanjab, the 20 contestants, comprising 18 South Africans and one each from Angola and Mozambique, were split by random draw into 10 teams, which competed together for the next 11 days.

 

On Day 2 the 14-vehicle convoy headed north for Opuwo, and over the next couple of days the spectacular route followed the Kunene River that forms the natural border between Namibia and Angola, including a visit to an Ovahimba village near Epupa Falls to learn more about the fascinating heritage of these people.

 

Along the way the 4x4 driving became continually more challenging, forcing the contestants to up their game as their skill levels improved.

 

THE BIG CHALLENGE

 

Then on Day 7 it all came together with the main challenge of the 2014 event - the notorious Van Zyl's Pass, a narrow, rock-strewn track with vertical cliff faces on one side and sheer drops on the other.

 

But the convoy made it through without incident - and with the teams on an adrenalin-charged high. The ensuing scenic drives along the Hoarusib River and Khowarib River 4x4 trails simply reaffirmed the astonishing beauty of this remote but captivating landscape, while also putting the Rangers through their paces - particularly when navigating the innocuously named deep 'dust holes' just after Umumbaaitjie that necessitated several vehicle-recovery operations.

 

Throughout the Odyssey the teams were scored daily on their technical driving abilities, vehicle care and maintenance, recovery and winching techniques and amp craft, as well as general knowledge on the Ranger and the Odyssey route.

 

These scores will now be added up and verified by independent auditors prior to the announcement of the winning team on 15 October.

 

EXPLORING AFRICA

 

Ford Ranger brand manager Dale Reid - who was there for the whole trip - said afterwards: “The Ranger Odyssey is designed to give ordinary people a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore some of Africa's remarkable destinations.”

 

“Namibia's Kaokaland lived up to its reputation as one of the most beautiful but remote and challenging areas to explore in Africa - but what made the trip even more amazing was the great group of contestants.

 

“Every one of them gave it everything they had throughout the two weeks; they were all glad just to be there on the trip, which was a truly life-changing experience.”

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