Karl Bushby, a British adventurer who left South America in November 1998, has completed his 31,000-mile (50,000 km) journey on foot, arriving at his mother's home in Hull after nearly three decades away. The former paratrooper, now 55, set himself two unbreakable rules at the outset: he would not return to the UK until the journey's end, and he would not use motorised transport to advance. According to BBC News, Bushby reunited with his mother Angela at their family home in Sutton Park after the civic reception in Hull's city centre.
Bushby was born in Hull on 30 March 1969 and initially expected the walk to take roughly 12 years when he departed from Punta Arenas, Chile. The expedition aimed to complete what many regard as the longest unbroken path in human history, spanning four continents and 31 countries. Only about 15 of the 28 years were spent actually walking; visa difficulties, the 2007 global economic crash, and the Covid-19 pandemic caused significant delays. He frequently retreated to Mexico between walking stints to manage costs.
On Sunday, as Bushby crossed the Humber Bridge into East Yorkshire, he was met by his 36-year-old son Adam, his 12-year-old granddaughter whom he had never encountered before, his father, and his brothers.
It was amazing,Bushby said of the reunion. At the civic reception in Hull's city centre, he was received by Lord Mayor Maria Coward and, according to ITV News, Hull East MP Karl Turner read out a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Addressing the gathered crowd, Bushby expressed his astonishment at the welcome.
There has never been a welcome home like this, I am sure. It's madness. An enormous thank you.He added:
The biggest team - Earth - got me back here.
Upon reaching his mother's front door, Bushby reflected on the moment.
It's good to be home. It feels surreal.His mother Angela, who had not seen him for a decade, said:
It's good to have him home.As he approached the house, he observed:
This is familiar.He admitted he never expected such a homecoming.
What challenges did the journey present?
Bushby's expedition took him across some of the world's most formidable terrain. Key moments included navigating through the dense jungles of the Darién Gap, crossing the frozen Bering Strait in 2006, swimming the Caspian Sea, and swimming the English Channel near Dover in October. In June 2026, Eurotunnel declined Bushby's request to use a service tunnel to enter the UK, forcing him to find an alternative route across the Channel.
Bushby began his journey as a
penniless backpacker,often relying on handouts or occasionally being forced to eat food discarded on roadsides. He later secured sponsors and a book deal. According to Yahoo News, Bushby said the journey involved
two world recordsand described it as a global effort that required facing down governments.
Nearing the end of the journey, Bushby signed a deal with acclaimed German filmmaker Werner Herzog. The pair were pictured together on Shakespeare Beach near Dover moments after the adventurer waded ashore in October. His 31-country journey is set to be the subject of a Werner Herzog documentary.
Why did Bushby undertake this expedition?
Bushby previously said he had always possessed a strong
wanderlust,and his opportunity to embark on this journey came following the end of his marriage, with his wife returning to Northern Ireland with their son. Under the rules he set for his journey, Bushby could not return to the UK to meet his family. On rare occasions, he met his son and parents, who are divorced, in other countries.
How is Bushby adjusting to his return?
After returning to the UK, Bushby acknowledged he expected to struggle in the coming days and weeks as he readjusted to normal life.
Everything that I am and everything that I know of me is going to go away,he said.
And that's going to be a problem. You're going to have the old identity crisis, because Karl is this [an adventurer] and has been for half his life. I think the old adage goes... the only thing worse than a man who can't fulfil his dreams is a man who's fulfilled his dreams... because then what?
According to Yahoo News, Bushby said he would meet the rest of his family and
chill out for a little bitafter finishing the walk.
What happens next?
Bushby is due to take part in a press conference at Hull City Hall following the homecoming celebration. The documentary chronicling his 31-country expedition, produced in collaboration with Werner Herzog, will provide a comprehensive record of his unprecedented journey across four continents.
Key Facts
- Bushby departed Punta Arenas, Chile in November 1998 at age 29 and completed his 31,000-mile journey 28 years later
- Only approximately 15 of the 28 years involved actual walking; visa issues, economic crises, and the pandemic caused extended delays
- His route spanned four continents and 31 countries, including crossing the Bering Strait, navigating the Darién Gap, and swimming the English Channel
- He adhered to two self-imposed rules: not returning to the UK until journey's end and not using motorised transport to advance
- A Werner Herzog documentary chronicling the expedition is in development
