Robb Report Writes
You Can Now Drive a Porsche Through 5 African Countries With This New Off-Roading Experience
Most people visit Africa through the window of a safari vehicle. Jan Kalmar prefers a different approach.
The Danish adventurer and founder of Kalmar Beyond Adventure has spent decades exploring some of the world’s most remote regions, often behind the wheel of a Porsche. Since founding the company in 2007, he has created a series of driving expeditions that combine challenging terrain, extraordinary destinations and a level of access that conventional travel rarely offers. His latest African adventure may be the most ambitious yet.
Covering more than 3,400 miles across Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Angola, the Trans-Africa Adventure places participants behind the wheel of rally-prepared Porsches as they cross deserts, savannas, mountain ranges and vast open landscapes. Inspired by the spirit of legendary events such as the Camel Trophy and the early Paris-Dakar rallies, the expedition is designed to test both driver and machine while showcasing some of the continent’s most spectacular scenery.
Yet this is far from a race. At the end of each day, participants swap dust and sand for carefully selected lodges and hotels, enjoying a level of comfort that contrasts sharply with the challenges of the route. Leading the expedition is Kalmar himself, supported by a team of mechanics, logistics specialists and local experts who keep the adventure moving through some of Africa’s most remote regions.
Importantly, this is not a trip that anyone can simply sign up for. Kalmar Beyond Adventure operates primarily by invitation, and Jan personally selects the participants who join each expedition. Group sizes are deliberately kept small, creating an atmosphere where strangers quickly become friends and where every participant contributes to the experience.
Only a limited number of drivers are invited to take part. The result is an adventure that feels less like a commercial tour and more like a shared expedition — one where the stories are created on the road, whether that means recovering a Porsche from deep sand, tackling an unexpected river crossing or simply watching the African sunset after a long day behind the wheel.
Rachel Cormack is writing: “Measuring more than 3,400 miles, the route passes through five African countries, requiring drivers to navigate deserts, savannas, mountains, and grasslands in Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Angola. The itinerary also includes shorter trips to places like Lapland and Morocco. Pushing the boundaries of human and automotive endurance, the Trans-Africa journey aims to deliver challenges not seen since the days of the grueling Camel Trophy and the original 1980s Paris Dakar.”
