It was bound to be a life-changing experience for the 10 contestants in the 2013 Ford Ranger Odyssey Africa - a 22-day adventure of almost 8000 African kilometres (and Denis Beckett will tell you African kilometres are tougher than those on other continents) across six countries, that pushed them to their limits.
Ford SA marketing maven Gavin Golightly said: "Odyssey Africa 2013 set out to give a group of dynamic, enthusiastic young people the adventure of a lifetime, and reveal some of Africa's best sights and destinations.
"We covered 7860km of the most challenging terrain and we couldn't have asked for a better group. Each one embraced the spirit of the journey and did us proud in the many challenges we met."
The Odyssey began in Nairobi on 23 June with the convoy of eight Ford Rangers making their way Amboseli National Park below the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, where the crew and contestants delivered food parcels and essential supplies to a Masai village.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Crossing into Tanzania, the next stop was the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, followed by a stop-over in Bagamoyo, the historical centre of East Africa's slave and ivory trade, which gave everybody food for thought.
There was an unexpected rounte change on Day 7 as political turmoil in northern Mozambique forced a deviation through Zambia, before the convoy crossed the Zambezi River into Botswana on Day 11 and travelled along the Hunter's Trail to the site of Livingstone and Stanley's historical encounter, and on to the Victoria Falls.
The highlights of this leg were a night spent on the Makgadikgadi Pans, a visit to Kubu Island, camping in the dry bed of the Matloutse River and driving through the Northern Tuli Game Reserve.
On Day 15 the convoy passed through the Kruger National Park en route to Mozambique via the Giriyondo border post and the Limpopo Transfrontier National Park, returning to its original route on Day 17 in Inhambane, where they were joined by Ford SA boss Jeff Nemeth, and Ford Asia Pacific and Africa director Gary Boes.
SPECIAL PERMIT
They helped hand over a range of food and agricultural equipment to the villagers of Paindane, in return for a special permit for some spectacular beach and dune driving, with more dune and mud driving to come while heading further south to Xai Xai and Macenata.
After an official welcome to Maputo from the mayor, David Simango, the Odyssey came full circle on Day 22, Sunday 14 July, as the convoy returned to the De Rust, on the bank of the Hartbeespoort Dam, the site of the contestant's four-day Boot Camp in May, and the gathering point for the 10 finalists in June before flying to Nairobi.
Throughout the expedition, each contestant was evaluated on their driving, camp craft, communication skills and numerous other aspects. They were also scored on their daily blog which was posted on the Ranger Odyssey website - all of which will be combined to decide the overall winner of a special Odyssey-edition Ranger 3.2 XLT 4x4 on 8 August.
CONTESTANT COMMENTS
Alex Cruickshanks
From the start Kenya showed us the spirit of 'Harambee' (let us all pull together) and it became the mantra of the Odyssey. The group was incredibly diverse, yet somehow our differences complimented each other and we all contributed to the success of the adventure.
The journey revealed the unexpected beauty of my mother continent, drastically altered my perspective of life and filled me with the confidence to pursue my dreams of adventure.
Bernard Hollander
The journey was a once in a lifetime experience; I learned so much about 4x4 driving and Africa, and it started something inside of me that is hard to explain, I just want to go into Africa at every opportunity I get.
Chloe Boshoff
Moments of profound personal discovery were only silenced by the breath-taking scenery.
Dania Petrik
I am still probably the least experienced 4x4 driver with the least car knowledge, but I have never felt more empowered.
I came to the Odyssey with an open mind and very few expectations, trusting every moment to unfold as it should. I left with a full heart, unforgettable memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to shared this insane experience with some of the most awesome people I've ever known.
Donatella D'Aloisio
I began the Odyssey hoping to prove to everybody - and especially myself - how tough I was, but walked away with so much more than just recognition. I have learnt so much about myself, made life-long memories and become part of a resilient, loving, warm, hilarious, caring group of brothers and sisters!
Kugesh Reddy
It was a journey of epic proportions, filled with new experiences that enabled me to experience Africa as I had never seen it before while challenging myself to limits I could not have envisaged.
Paula Smith
The Odyssey has given me a passion and desire to get to know our beautiful continent and my own country more, while giving me confidence in what has generally been considered a man's domain.
Richard Rammoneng
This trip was a real culture shock, possibly more so for me than any of the others - I started with zero experience of camping! The different cultures of the people that we met and the circumstances under which they live, taught me to appreciate what I have, and that we need to do more to make a difference in other people's lives.
Ryno Swart
This was truly a life-changing experience for me, a chance to discover Africa in a completely different way.
Wisaal Anderson
The Odyssey unveiled the African continent to me. Meeting an entire village of Masai in Kenya, the endless flatness and serenity of the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana and a choir of girls singing to us at their humble school in Mozambique - these are moments I have banked in my heart forever.
At the start I couldn't wait to tick Africa off my bucket list this adventure has left hungry for more. When, how and where is up in the air but I do know for sure I will be back.