The 'GTX LOOOOOONG RIDE' is inspired by the global Castrol GTX campaign that started in China and then moved to Central Asia to become a successful LOOOOOONG RIDE — a multi-thousand-kilometre road journey that captured the attention of audiences in several countries, says Castrol. 

Now, that same endurance spirit hits the African continent, with Castrol's team driving from Cape Town, South Africa, to Nairobi, Kenya, using only Castrol GTX to protect and power the journey, adds the brand

The Route: A Journey Across the Heart of Africa

Castrol says the 10 500 km route will span eight African countries, beginning in Cape Town, South Africa, and winding through Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Tanzania and ending in Nairobi, Kenya. Each leg of the journey is carefully curated to test the limits of engine endurance — with roads ranging from smooth highways to off-road gravel tracks, mountain passes, and tropical climates.

Key checkpoints include meeting an ex Miss Botswana to learn about traditional fashion and cuisine, racing around the dirt in Zambia with a Rally Driver, experiencing the 4x4 scene in Zimbabwe, boarding a houseboat on Lake Malawi, exploring Maasai tribes, getting a bird's eye view of the Serengeti and delving into the music scene in Tanzania with a musician who loves cars as much as his guitar, says Castrol.

Every 2 000 km, the team will conduct an oil sampling extraction and send this back to Castrol Technology Centre for analysis —  showcasing the science of Castrol GTX's 3X CLEAN formula, adds the brand.

At the heart of the campaign is Castrol GTX. "GTX isn't just oil — it's protection you can feel and measure," says Jenny Heyes, Marketing Director for Castrol Africa. "This road trip puts Castrol GTX under the same pressure your engine faces every day — but multiplied by thousands of kilometres. It's a living lab with dust, heat, mountains, potholes and everything in between."

The Crew: Ambassadors and Influencer Guests

The campaign is fronted by Castrol ambassador and off-road racer Lance Woolridge, alongside auto enthusiast, Castrol's Brand Ambassador and content creator Thabiso Mkhize. The duo will co-drive the Castrol-branded Toyota Fortuner, giving daily updates, providing technical insights and sharing cultural encounters as they travel, says Castrol. 

The brand says that they'll be joined along the way by a rotating cast of influencer guests and creators from across Africa, including:

  • Donovan Goliath, South African comedian and car fanatic
  • Liselle and Lisette So-oabes, Namibian twins who are fashion and travel enthusiasts, and 
  • Joy Kendi, a fashion, beauty and lifestyle creator from Kenya.

Each guest will bring their own flair to the drive, designed to entertain, educate and elevate the stories of African roads and riders, adds the brand.

Driving for a Cause: R5 / km for the Black Mambas

For every kilometre driven, Castrol says it will donate R5 to the Black Mambas, South Africa's pioneering all-woman anti-poaching unit. These women patrol the Balule Nature Reserve, using visibility, tracking and local intelligence to protect endangered wildlife from poachers.

The partnership supports not only the maintenance of the Mambas' own patrol vehicles but also mechanical training workshops, new engine oil supply using GTX and conservation awareness campaigns in local schools, adds Castrol. 

"Partnering with the Black Mambas is about backing everyday heroes," says Heyes. "They protect what we can't see and often forget — and just like Castrol, they keep going when the terrain gets tough."

Follow the Journey

Castrol concludes that audiences can follow the Castrol 'GTX LOOOOOONG RIDE' across social media, YouTube and influencer channels. Weekly mini-episodes, behind-the-scenes shorts and ambassador interviews will keep fans up to date, with a final documentary-style wrap released at the finish line in Nairobi.

For more information, visit www.castrol.com. You can also follow Castrol on Facebook or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor