International Conservationists had accused the show of leaving the pans scarred by rough riding that could leave the treasured tourist attraction damaged for decades.
Mary Rice of the Environmental Investigation Agency, which carries out conservation work in Botswana, said the BBC's example could lead hordes of "boy racers" to follow suit.
Guide, David Dugmore was quoted in the Observer newspaper: "The thing that worries me is the viewers and public that are going to go out to the lakes, and we will end up with every Tom, Dick and Harry coming up with vehicles and quad bikes to absolutely spoil the place". A report issued by government officials late Thursday absolved Top Gear of any environmental damage when it was filming there. The report says the Top Gear trip was well planned a month in advance and a film production company was engaged in logistics.
"With regard to filming in the pans, a well known nature film maker with great experience in the are was recruited as a consultant and he has actively promoted conservation for decades.
Many weeks of planning and film pre-production went into determining a suitable route for filming. A location-scouting excursion was done in the air and on the ground to determine a suitable shooting route.
