Jeremy Clarkson and The Grand Tour team in the country for a Zimbabwe Special?

The motoring world's favourite trio, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond have been spotted taking a road trip across Zimbabwe. A sighting has ignited a conversation that they might be in the country for a Zimbabwe Special episode of their Amazon TV show "The Grand Tour". 

Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond (from left)
Image Credit:  Jeremy Clarkson Instagram

The Grand Tour is a British motoring television series created by the trio exclusively for Amazon and it first aired in 2016. When the programme was launched, it followed a similar format to that of Top Gear. It featured car reviews and timed laps, motoring challenges and races, studio segments, and celebrity guests, with the team using a big outdoor tent as a studio.

After the third season, the production team switched out of this format to focus on producing special motoring films in the form of road trips across different countries.

On September 20, 2023, Jeremy Clarkson used his Instagram platform to declare their official presence in Zimbabwe as he shared a picture taken beneath the renowned Termenalia/ Umbrella Tree, located somewhere within the picturesque Honde Valley, situated in the captivating Manicaland Province of Zimbabwe.

In Nyanga, Zimbabwe, on this same day, four classic 1970s cars were spotted, each belonging to one of the famous trio as follows:

• Jeremy Clarkson possessed a stylish blue Lancia Montecarlo.
• James May cruised in a vibrant purple 1974 Triumph Stag.
• Richard Hammond zipped around in a vivid yellow Ford Capri RS3100.
• Additionally, a seemingly backup vehicle was observed, a modest beige Rover SD1.

Their expedition embarked from the serene landscapes of Nyanga, venturing into the easternmost reaches of Zimbabwe, specifically the Honde Valley. Their route extended onwards to the vibrant capital city, Harare, and further north to the captivating locale of Kariba, which some sources suggest may have been Mana Pools. 

James May and Richard Hammond (from left) in Kariba, Zimbabwe

Ultimately, their journey's culmination appeared to be the world-renowned Victoria Falls, where they were scheduled to commence filming on September 30th. The total length of this adventurous route spanned over a staggering 1000 kilometres.

Departing Zimbabwe via Victoria Falls on October 3rd, Jeremy Clarkson expressed gratitude for the time the Grand Tour team spent in the country, as he shared on Twitter;

My profound thanks to the people and government of Zimbabwe for helping to make a very special Grand Tour special, very special. We absolutely adored everything about your country. Apart from the pot holes maybe.

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) October 3, 2023

He also voiced his discontent about a flight mix-up via Instagram. He disclosed their current location as a luxurious camp in Botswana, shedding light on their situation for the first time. Jeremy Clarkson lamented their flight mishap, attributing it to British Airways, and humorously noted their marooned status in the lavish Botswana camp, staffed by a mere 40 individuals.

Jeremy Clarkson, James May, Richard Hammond
with Three Monkeys Restaurant Staff (from left), Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

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