The special is often cited as the moment Top Gear transitioned into a global phenomenon. Its legacy was recently cemented when the trio returned to —the "astonishing" location from this special—for the final episode of The Grand Tour in 2024. Viewing Options:

As an entertainment journalist, it is crucial to address the elephant in the salt pan. While the keyword implies a certain file-sharing lifestyle, we must note that Top Gear is owned by BBC Studios.

The episode featured the debut of one of The Stig’s regional relatives, who performed time trials on a rally course.

Top Gear Botswana Special is widely considered the episode that defined the "special" format for the series. Originally aired on November 4, 2007

For lifestyle viewers—people who want to put this episode on in the background during a garage night or a camping trip—720p offers the perfect balance of nostalgia and clarity.

Top Gear - The Great Adventure 2: Botswana Special DVD - Amazon UK

, a salt flat so vast it’s visible from space. To save weight and prevent the cars from breaking through the thin crust into the primordial ooze below, they stripped the vehicles to their shells—removing doors, seats, and even the hoods. The heat was so intense that Clarkson had to wear a "cool suit" usually reserved for racing drivers just to keep his core temperature down. The "Stig’s African Cousin"

: Driven by Richard Hammond, who became so attached to the car that he shipped it back to the UK and still owns it today.