Jetour’s Africa Expedition showcases Travel+ philosophy

Jetour’s Africa Expedition covered 12,030 kilometres across the African continent over 73 days, visiting 52 destinations with 131 vehicles and 394 participants.

The documentary expedition, which concluded in Cape Town earlier this month, was designed to bring the vehicle brand’s Travel+ philosophy to life through exploration, cultural encounters and challenging driving conditions. The South African leg took the team on a 15-day journey from Johannesburg to Ballito, Sani Pass and Lesotho, before continuing through East London, Shamwari, Knysna, George, Oudtshoorn, Swartberg Pass and Swellendam, ending in Cape Town.

The team comprised a photographer, producer, director, videographer, drone operator, technical adviser and expedition driver. Their task was to document the journey while putting the vehicles through a range of driving conditions. Three Jetour T2 Odyssey vehicles took part in the South African leg, alongside the yet-to-be-launched G700 and F700 models.

The changing landscapes provided some of the expedition’s most striking footage, from Johannesburg’s urban environment to the green hills of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, the Indian Ocean coastline and the rugged Drakensberg mountains. The team also encountered heavy snowfall on Sani Pass while travelling towards Lesotho. The route continued through the Eastern Cape’s wilderness, the forests and coastal scenery of the Garden Route, and the mountains, vineyards and Atlantic coastline of the Western Cape.

Lead photographer Craig Kolesky said the team allowed the journey to unfold naturally, with changing weather, wildlife and encounters with local people shaping the documentary. “This journey with Jetour was intentionally allowed to unfold naturally. Weather changed plans, available light determined some of our stops, wildlife halted our convoy, people encountered along the way changed the story and unexpected encounters became part of the narrative,” Kolesky said. “What made this experience even more authentic was our use of real roads, real weather and real accommodation, natural light wherever possible and a small production footprint.”

For the production team, the journey involved early starts, long hours on the road and constantly changing conditions. One of the biggest challenges came when a powerful cold front brought bitterly cold temperatures, rain, snow and slippery mountain roads to Lesotho. The conditions forced the closure of Sani Pass, leaving the team stranded at Sani Mountain Lodge for three days. Jetour’s Travel+ philosophy centres on the idea that travel is about more than reaching a destination. It emphasises connections with local cultures, nature and communities, while positioning vehicles as an integral part of the travel experience.

Community initiatives also formed part of the expedition, with Jetour supporting projects aimed at empowering young surfers in KwaZulu-Natal, assisting a remote community in Lesotho and contributing to wildlife conservation efforts in the Eastern Cape. Shaun Steynberg, head of marketing at Jetour South Africa, said the expedition reflected the brand’s approach to travel. “Africa Expedition" is a natural expression of our Travel+ philosophy. For us, travel has never been only about getting from one place to another. It’s about what you discover along the way – the landscapes, the people and the cultures,” Steynberg said. “Ending Africa Expedition in South Africa provided the perfect final chapter, given how much our remarkable country has to offer.”

Source QuickPic