Karl Bushby returns to UK after 28-year global expedition

British adventurer Karl Bushby has reached British soil after a 28-year journey to circumnavigate the globe without motorized transport. On October 5, the 57-year-old former paratrooper completed a major milestone by swimming across the English Channel from France to Dover.

Bushby began his expedition in Punta Arenas, Chile, in November 1998. Over nearly three decades, he has traveled more than 50,000 kilometers across 29 countries. His journey included crossing the Bering Strait on foot and swimming across the Caspian Sea. The expedition faced several significant delays, including the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and long-term visa denials from Russia.

While the swim to Dover marks a major achievement, the expedition is not yet complete. Bushby still needs to travel approximately 400 kilometers to reach his final destination in Hull, England. Renowned German director Werner Herzog was present at the Dover arrival to film the moment for a documentary titled ‘Walk of Life’.