Rain, Hills and the Wilderness: Jeep Bangladesh’s ‘Bunobela’ Run Through Sreemangal
Over three days, a convoy of purpose-built 4x4 Jeeps tackled the lush, hilly terrain of Sreemangal—tea gardens, forest trails, and rain-slicked slopes that would challenge even the most seasoned off-roaders
In Bangladesh, where Jeep literally stands as the synonym for SUVs and Crossovers, owning an actual Jeep requires you to spend beyond the likes of Tk2 Crore. Thus, while most Jeeps are treated as luxomobiles which rarely leave the comfort of city streets, Jeep Life Bangladesh, the official club of Jeep owners dares to rewrite the rulebook—one muddy trail at a time. From June 13 to 15, the club organized its annual off-road expedition, "Bunobela," a name that loosely translates to "wilderness time." And fittingly so.
Over three days, a convoy of purpose-built 4x4 Jeep Wranglers, (and a single 1980's 2x4 Cherokee) tackled the lush, hilly terrain of Sreemangal—tea gardens, forest trails, and rain-slicked slopes that would challenge even the most seasoned off-roaders.
The group assembled early on Friday morning at Dhaka's 300ft road. By 10pm, the owners arrived at Ujan Bhati to have the first meal of the day and for relevant discussion. Despite being a Friday, the roads were packed from Bhairab bridge onwards. However, if you own a Jeep then do you even need tarmac in the first place? Perhaps the club members begged to differ as everyone decided to take the sandy terrain of the under construction lanes of the Dhaka Sylhet highway, defying traffic and all types of rocks, random bricks and potholes on the way.
By noon, the dusty highway roads started to turn scenic with hilly tea estates and greeneries on both sides, as the convoy entered Sreemongol. After reciting the Jumma prayers and having lunch at the small, happening town of Sreemangal, they checked into The Grand Sultan resort, where the combination of off-road grit and five-star luxury set the tone for an epic weekend.
Saturday saw the Jeeps roll out at the earliest hours of the day to drive through Nurjahan Tea Estate and Madhabpur Lake, navigating narrow plantation paths with panoramic views.
This was easily the most thrilling moment of the trip as this off-road climb to Madhabpur Lake was not through the usual tourist road, but via a barely-cleared forest trail carved through thick greenery and soft, rain-soaked soil.
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Jeeps twisted through tight tea garden paths, battling steep inclines and slippery descents as branches whipped past the windows and mud clung to every inch of tire tread. The convoy, led by an army of Jeep Wranglers—Sahara and Rubicon trims alike—powered ahead with ease thanks to their factory-grade 4x4 systems and oversized all-terrain tires.
Yet it was the underdog, a lone Jeep Cherokee running on a Toyota 1G-FE inline-six and rear-wheel-drive only, that became the talk of the trail. Half the displacement of its original V8, stripped of four-wheel drive, and yet—thanks to a set of Wrangler-spec all-terrain tires fitted by its owner, Yousuf Aman—it kept pace with the newer, far more capable machines. By the time the group reached the lake's serene edge, their Jeeps were caked in mud and their faces lit with triumph.
Later that day, the convoy made its way to Lawachara National Park for yet another trail run before wrapping up with dinner at Chamung.
Sunday's final stretch was more relaxed, with in-resort activities and a peaceful check-out, marking the end of what felt less like a road trip and more like a rite of passage.
In a country where off-roading still lives in the shadows of the tuning culture, "Bunobela" was a full-throttle reminder of what these machines and their passionate owners are capable of. It wasn't just about climbing hills or crossing streams. It was about community, adventure, and redefining what it means to own a Jeep in Bangladesh.
