The Nissan Navara Warrior, an approved factory conversion of the Nissan Pro4X is outfitted with off-road-focused shock absorbers, increased ground clearance, a wider stance, and rugged MAXXIS RAZR AT tyres, it tackled the relentless terrain with confidence.
Image: Supplied, File Picture
Augrabies, Northern Cape – Just days after its official South African debut, the Nissan Navara Warrior by Premcar embarked on a gruelling off-road record attempt, tackling one of the country’s most extreme terrains.
Building on the success of last year’s Daring Africa expedition, which spanned 8,000km across eight countries, Nissan saw an off-road world record attempt as the next step. “The African Navara was built for this,” said Maciej Klenkiewicz, Nissan South Africa and Independent Markets Africa Managing Director. “Proving its toughness in the harshest conditions is part of its DNA.”
The challenge? To complete the longest off-road journey ever attempted in South Africa, following the Namaqualand Eco Trail, a punishing 1,000km route from Pofadder to Alexander Bay and back.
The expedition kicked off in Upington before a short drive to Pofadder, where final checks were made. The first day on the trail was brutal — rocky terrain slowed progress to a crawl, with speeds dipping to just 12km/h for hours on end. With only one spare tyre per vehicle, caution was critical, but the convoy pushed through, covering 100km by nightfall.
Day two brought a shift in landscape and strategy. The team aimed to double their distance, navigating vast, ever-changing scenery — from rolling dunes to deep canyons — while maintaining endurance. By sunset, they had reached the 300km mark, making significant progress toward the record.
The third day was a game-changer. The convoy pushed another 300km toward the coast, where the dunes grew larger and sand replaced rock. While the softer terrain allowed for faster travel, it wasn’t without its challenges — including a guide getting beached on a river island in pursuit of an epic shot. As they neared Alexander Bay, the long-abandoned ghost town hinted at civilisation, but it was a stark reminder of how remote the journey had become.
After their first proper shower in days, the team prepared for the final push: 400km back to Pofadder, entirely off-road. The sight of bakkies carving through the wilderness alongside a perfectly good tar road underscored the mission’s commitment — no shortcuts.
“This is the kind of daring story that defines TopGear,” explained publisher Avon Middleton. “The Namaqualand terrain is as beautiful as it is unforgiving, and we needed a vehicle that could withstand it. The Warrior was the perfect choice.”
The Nissan Navara Warrior, an approved factory conversion of the Nissan Pro4X, faced its toughest test yet. Outfitted with off-road-focused shock absorbers, increased ground clearance, a wider stance, and rugged MAXXIS RAZR AT tyres, it tackled the relentless terrain with confidence.
“These are some of the harshest driving conditions imaginable,” said Ramy Mohareb, Nissan Africa’s Head of Communications. “Yet, we’re confident the Nissan Navara Warrior will make history by completing the world’s longest off-road trail in this GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS attempt.”
Last year’s Daring Africa saw the Navara traverse the continent from South Africa to Egypt, crossing Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, and Sudan before finishing at Nissan’s Cairo assembly plant, near the Pyramids of Giza.
Now, Daring Africa 2.0 brings the challenge home. “This trip along the Gariep proves that the Navara Warrior is built to go further,” said Klenkiewicz. “For off-road enthusiasts, it’s more than just a vehicle — it’s a passport to adventure.”
With Nissan celebrating over 60 years in Africa, this latest challenge is a bold statement of intent: to keep pushing boundaries and inspiring adventure, one rugged trail at a time.