The Chana Trax China-to-South Africa overland expedition reached Johannesburg on schedule this week after driving halfway around the world on an adventure that many said couldn't be done in 1300cc, two-wheel drive vehicles.
In a world first, the four Chanas - a single and double-cab bakkie, a seven-seater CM8 and a small hatchback Benni - were driven from Chongqing in China, where they were assembled, through Pakistan, the Arabian Peninsula and down the east side of Africa to a heroes' welcome at Chana SA's Northcliff showroom.
It was an epic journey that needed reliability and durability and the Chanas - each standard-spec and straight off the production line - clocked up 20 000km in 81 days, crossing 12 countries in conditions far more suited to rugged 4x4s.
The convoy raised eyebrows in many areas, notably northern Kenya, where locals had never seen "normal" vehicles cope with the rock-strewn terrain.
"The Chanas exceeded all expectations," said expedition leader Geoff Dalglish, who also praised the team for their stamina and determination. "Their greatest virtue was cheerful good humour in the face of adversity and I'm very proud and grateful to have shared this unique adventure with such a great team."
The Chanas ate up the kilometres through Zambia and Botswana, where the road surfaces were generally good, bar the odd patch of potholes, and road blocks in Zambia.
In a move that is being challenged, regional district councils have recently introduced a transit levy on vehicles passing through their area of the national road, which means frequent stops, payments and tiresome paperwork.
The team stopped at Shiwa Ngan-du to visit the site made famous in the book "The Africa House", by Christina Lamb. In the 1930's, Stewart Gore-Brown built a magnificent 40-roomed home there on a farm now run by his grandsons.
There's also the nearby Kapishya hot springs that bubble up from 6km below the surface to create a gorgeous, bath-temperature rock pool - perfect after a hard day's driving.
From there the convoy sped through Lusaka and on to Livingstone for a drenching at the Victoria Falls before reaching one of Africa's most interesting junctions at Kazungula: the confluence of the mighty Chobe and Zambezi rivers, and the meeting point of four countries - Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and the tiny tip of Namibia's Caprivi Strip that juts out just where the rivers merge.
Here the four compact Chanas were dwarfed by a line of huge trucks as they jostled to drive aboard the Kazungula ferry to cross into Botswana.
The road south through Botswana is excellent but, as always, the convoy was on the lookout for the hazards of animals crossing - and, on this section, elephants.
Crossing the Limpopo River into South Africa at Martin's Drift/Groblersbrug was a bittersweet moment for the team: destination at last, but also the end of an adventure of a lifetime, one that so many thought couldn't be done.
The plucky vehicles have survived an epic journey, with only basic maintenance and minimal running repairs during their drive through exotically different cultures and countries.
And the adventure is not quite yet over.
The convoy will reach Cape Point on Friday and do a lap of honour during Killarney WesBank Challenge race meeting on Saturday. - Star Motoring