In October 2025, adventurers Seth and Ollie set off from London in one of the most unlikely expedition vehicles imaginable. Their vehicle of choice was Sheila, a three-wheeled Reliant Robin. Their objective was clear. Take Sheila from London to Cape Town and become the first team to complete the journey in a three-wheeled car. The route would span more than 14,000 miles, 22 countries and four months on the road, all while raising awareness and funds for School in a Bag, a charity helping children around the world access education. What followed was an extraordinary test of preparation, resilience and adaptability. From extreme heat and remote landscapes to breakdowns, border crossings and malaria-risk regions, the journey would challenge both the vehicle and the people inside it. In March 2026, Seth and Ollie successfully arrived in Cape Town, completing one of the most ambitious Reliant Robin journeys ever attempted. Why a Reliant Robin? The London to Cape Town route has long been part of adventure travel folklore. For Seth and Ollie, it was an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of some of their heroes while adding their own unique twist to the challenge. "London to Cape Town has been a route adventurers have taken on for the last 100 years. It's also arguably the last untouched wilderness that people in the UK and Canada know little about. We wanted to pay homage to our heroes, such as the Long Way Down series, but also take the most unlikely vehicle possible. We first saw a Reliant Robin during the Mongol Rally in 2018 when driving from London to Mongolia. It was Seth's idea to take things one step further and drive one the length of Africa." The Route Starting in the UK, the pair travelled through France and Spain before crossing into Morocco and beginning their journey through Africa. The original plan was to stay as far west as possible before continuing south through a diverse mix of countries, cultures and environments. In total, they crossed 22 countries over four months before reaching Cape Town. When Things Got Tough Travelling across Africa in a Reliant Robin was never going to be straightforward. Long days behind the wheel, relentless heat and constant mechanical issues tested both the vehicle and the people inside it. "Personally, the biggest challenge was the mental battle to continue. We were cramped into a tiny space for up to 12 hours a day. When the inevitable breakdowns happened, you were then stuck in that same position trying to solve the problem. When the roads were bad, they were really bad. Deep sand, mud, rivers, fires and potholes you could bury a house in. In a three-wheeled car you don't really get to avoid much of it." Some days combined everything at once. Illness, poor road conditions, no food, limited money, mechanical failures and uncertainty about what lay ahead. The most dramatic setback came in Cameroon. "Our engine quite literally blew up." Moments They Thought It Might Be Over The mechanical challenges were only part of the story. Crossing multiple countries also meant dealing with changing visa requirements, border regulations and administrative processes. Every major breakdown created another layer of uncertainty. "When our gearbox, engine and axle broke on separate occasions, it wasn't just about finding replacement parts. It was whether we would still be legally allowed to remain in the country by the time everything was repaired. Every time we had a major breakdown, we genuinely thought we might not make it." Memories That Will Last a Lifetime Despite the setbacks, the journey delivered countless unforgettable moments. One of the highlights was taking Sheila off-road through the Ghanaian jungle, proving the little Reliant Robin was far more capable than many people would expect. Although, as Seth and Ollie admit, that may also have contributed to some of the breakdowns. For them, the changing landscapes and wildlife encounters further south were among the most special experiences of the entire trip. "Seeing a bull elephant through the window of a Reliant Robin was one of those images we'd imagined from the very beginning of the adventure. To actually capture that moment was incredible." Life on the Road No two days looked the same. Every morning started with a plan. Every evening often looked very different. "We'd work out where we wanted to get to, usually break down or overheat somewhere along the way, struggle to find an ATM that worked, get stopped by the police for no reason, then fall short of our target. We'd boil some ration packs, get some sleep and do it all again the next day." Behind every day's driving was a constant process of problem-solving. Managing supplies, keeping Sheila on the road and adapting plans became part of the daily routine as the team navigated the realities of long-distance expedition travel. Supporting School in a Bag Alongside the challenge, Seth and Ollie wanted their adventure to make a positive difference. That led them to partner with School in a Bag, a charity that provides educational resources to children around the world. The organisation was a natural fit, not only because it is based close to home in Yeovil, but because many of the countries visited on the journey are places where the charity actively works. "Free education is something many of us take for granted. School in a Bag helps provide children with the tools they need to learn and succeed, particularly in rural communities. What really stood out to us was that the bags don't just contain educational resources. They also include hygiene and safety items that help support healthier communities." During the journey, the team were able to visit schools supported by the charity and witness first-hand the impact these resources have. Staying Safe Along the Way Travelling through remote regions of Africa presents challenges that go far beyond keeping a vehicle moving. Extreme heat, mosquito-borne diseases, limited access to clean water and long periods away from medical assistance all require careful preparation. The Hold My Gear team relied on several pieces of Lifesystems and Lifeventure equipment throughout the journey to help them stay healthy, hydrated and prepared when things didn't go to plan. "The products were a godsend. The insect repellent was probably the standout. We regularly found ourselves in rural jungle environments and high-risk malaria zones, yet neither of us became seriously ill. The Water Filter Bottles were another essential. We frequently filled up from wells and other local water sources, helping us stay hydrated safely in temperatures that were often above 30°C. The first aid kits also saw plenty of use for cuts, scrapes and minor injuries while working on Sheila." When you're travelling through remote environments where help may be hours or even days away, access to clean drinking water, reliable insect protection and well-stocked first aid equipment can make all the difference. What They Took Away From the Experience After four months on the road, countless border crossings and more breakdowns than they care to remember, the biggest lesson wasn't about mechanics or route planning. It was learning how adaptable people can be when faced with uncertainty. Every major setback brought a new problem to solve, whether that was sourcing replacement parts, navigating changing border requirements or finding a way forward when the original plan no longer worked. The experience reinforced the value of preparation, patience and persistence. Sometimes progress wasn't measured in miles travelled, but simply in finding a solution and continuing the journey. As for what's next, the adventure isn't over yet. The team are currently working on a film and book documenting the journey while already discussing future challenges, including the possibility of bringing Sheila back to London. Final Thoughts Adventure rarely goes exactly to plan. Seth and Ollie's journey from London to Cape Town was filled with unexpected obstacles, mechanical failures and challenging conditions. Yet through preparation, resilience and determination, they found a way to keep moving forward. Their story is a reminder that adventure isn't always about comfort. It's about adapting when things change, solving problems when they arise and being prepared for the unexpected. At Lifesystems, we're proud to have supported their remarkable challenge and their efforts to raise awareness and funds for School in a Bag. Congratulations to Seth, Ollie and Sheila on an incredible achievement. We look forward to seeing where the next adventure takes them.
