I voted 8, but I didn't want the episode to end after an hour. I enjoyed it completely, with a few exceptions which is why I didn't give it a 10.
Firstly, like some of you, I think James and Jeremy's car choices were awful. As soon as someone says "Africa" I think the car choice needs to be something that rides a littler higher that those things. That said, I think Richard's choice is a bit of a cheat. I do wonder how that car will manage as the show goes on though.
The chair bit annoyed me. I don't see any reason for this gifts thing UNLESS, there was a decision that Hammond's car was so much better that they needed to slow him a bit. But it didn't seem to work really.
The car modification I can really do without. I get the need for beds, but all the woodwork just pisses me off. I can see the comedy value, but I really think it's just stupid waste of time and adds weight to the cars. You wouldn't do it if you were trying to get across Africa, so why do they? In fact, it seemed well managed, and there wasn't much to worry me about it. If they were going to mod the cars, I think they should have just switched tyres out and tweaked the suspension instead.
The beans thing on the hob, that was a little joke for everyone who complains about stupidity. I promise you, that's the production team playing with us
On the whole, the challenge is a nice idea, Africa is without peer in its beauty, and I usually learn as much from Jeremy on these shows as I would in a proper show about Africa. Can't wait for part 2, and overall I think this is going to rank along with Bolivia for me. I DESPISED Vietnam, for what it's worth.