On the 27th of November, 2025, I will be taking part in the South African semi-finals of the Defender Trophy. 25 years since the iconic Camel Trophy ended, it is being re-imagined, the legacy persevering in the Defender badge and the belief in purpose-driven adventure.
Two generations of purpose-driven adventure
Earlier this year I got a seemingly once-in a lfiftime taste of adventure, setting off on expedition with the Kingsley Holgate Foundation, taking six Defenders – three old, three new – through Central Mozambique. We circumnavigated Gorongosa National Park, a miracle of a restoration, along the way delivering life-saving Malaria nets to pregnant mothers, spectacles to the elderly and poor-sighted and faciliating the Wildlife Art inititative, a conservation focused form of education. I’ve spent the last six months reflecting on such an incredible trip, the type that only leaves wanting more of the wild. Shortly after returning to Cape Town, the opportunity for another crack, behind the wheel of a Defender, presented itself as an application form for the Defender Trophy. How could I not enter?
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On the Greater Gorongosa Expediton with the Kingsley Holgate Foundation
The Camel Trophy was an annual off-road expedition event that ran from 1980 to 2000 and became the benchmark for rugged, real-world adventure. Sponsored by Camel cigarettes, it put two-person national teams into specially prepared Land Rovers and sent them across some of the toughest terrain on the planet. The emphasis wasn’t on racing but on endurance, navigation, teamwork and mechanical problem-solving, with competitors battling jungles, rivers, mountains and swamps in remote regions such as the Amazon, Borneo, Siberia and Tierra del Fuego.
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What set the Camel Trophy apart was the blend of expedition travel and extreme challenge. The yellow Land Rovers, fitted with winches, snorkels, roof racks and recovery gear, became icons of overland exploration. The event ended in 2000, but its legacy remains strong. Today it stands as a cultural touchstone for authentic 4×4 adventure and the direct inspiration behind the new Defender Trophy competition.
The Defender Trophy Edition, in Sandglow Yellow
Building on the 70 year legacy of the Defender, and the iconic 20 years of Camel Trophy, the new competition is aimed at inspiring global change for conservation causes, partering with Tusk to put teams of contestants through a series of driving, engineering, navigational and physical challenges in unforgiving wildreness. The Global Final will take place in October 2026.
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In anticipation of the first local qualification round of the Defender Trophy, I had the opportunity to ask Mark and Belén Collins — legends of South African adventure racing, and the original Camel Trophy Challenge — a few questions. Mark and Belén Collins’ story is rooted in the original Camel Trophy era, where their paths first crossed in the world of expedition racing and Land Rover-led adventure. As the founding forces behind the Otter African Trail Run and long-time figures in adventure sport, they now play a central role in shaping Land Rover’s revived global competition. Mark is involved in conceptualising the international event and scouting how and where it will unfold, while together the pair oversee the South African team-selection process. Belén drives much of the structure behind that selection, emphasising qualities such as adaptability, teamwork, functional fitness and driving competence over extreme athleticism. Their combined expertise, built through years of running world-class endurance events, makes them the ideal custodians to help carry the Camel Trophy spirit into its modern Defender evolution, their shared history tying a personal connection to the heritage and spirit of the original event.
Belén and Mark Collins. Camel Trophy and South African adventure-racing legends.
Answers courstesy of Belén Collins
When you think back to the Camel Trophy years and the early Otter days, what single principle has stayed constant in how you approach adventure, and how does that carry into the Defender Trophy?
The sense of camaraderie that we experienced during the multiple Camel Trophy events of the past was truly remarkable. We had the opportunity to meet incredible people from more than 25 countries — like-minded individuals from very different backgrounds and cultures. The spirit of friendship, trust, and shared adventure that I found there has stayed with me ever since, and I believe the new Defender Trophy competition will have the same lasting impact on all those who participate in it.
Your story begins with two teams on opposite sides of a legendary event, Team South Africa and Team Spain. How did that meeting shape the way you work together today across racing, events, and conservation?
I first took part in the Camel Trophy in 1995, and over the next few years, I worked on several consecutive events. In 1998, I met Mark and his brother John when they represented Team South Africa — I was a marshal, he was a competitor. We fell in love and quickly discovered our shared passion for nature, the outdoors, and adventure. Mark’s charisma and creativity perfectly complement my love for logistics and behind-the-scenes work, and that balance — built on shared values, trust, and a spirit of exploration — continues to guide our relationship and the way we collaborate today across racing, events, and conservation.
Belen as part of the Spanish Camel Trophy team / Image: Otter.run
You are involved at both local and global levels. What elements of South African terrain, culture, or conservation priorities do you want the world to experience, and what global best practices are you bringing back to South Africa?
My involvement is currently limited to the South African event, which allows me to share with the world what I love about South Africa. And what I’d love the world to see is the incredible diversity of terrain and culture, the breathtaking landscapes, and the richness of wildlife and nature. I’m inspired by the friendliness of the people, the vibrant multicultural mix, and the deep love and passion many South Africans feel for preserving their natural heritage.
From Camel heritage to modern trail events, which three competencies most reliably separate successful teams, such as navigation, mechanical sympathy, teamwork under fatigue, or something less obvious?
In many cases the ability to use traditional navigation tools, such as maps and a compass, has been a determining factor for successful teams. Recovery skills, including tyre changing, fixing winches and using snatch straps and traction boards, are also essential. Beyond being physically strong or capable, mental aptitude and teamwork can also propel a team to the front.
Image: Defender
Belén, you have been a pathfinder in adventure racing. What changes still need to happen to make expedition-style competition truly inclusive, whether in logistics, kit design, or leadership pathways?
Cost remains the biggest barrier to entry in adventure sports, which can only be overcome through corporate involvement in the form of sponsorship, particularly direct sponsorship for participants to foster improved representation.
Carla and Andrea have grown up in this world. What have you learned about nurturing a next generation that respects risk, loves wild places, and leads with purpose?
I have learned that there is nothing more satisfying — and makes me truly proud — than seeing the next generation being brave, fearless, loving, respectful, and caring for nature and the world. It gives me a profound sense of purpose, knowing that the world will be better because they are in it, as well as the positive impact they have on their friends, family, and the people around them.
How do modern vehicles and technologies change the nature of challenge design compared with your Camel Trophy era, and how do you prevent tech from diluting the human test?
Advances in technology are amazing, but ultimately, a human will be behind the wheel, making the critical decisions. Roads will still have rivers to cross, bridges to navigate, and mud that can trap any vehicle. Technology can help, but human judgment remains irreplaceable in handling the unexpected.
Image: Defender
For South Africans who will never enter the Trophy, what accessible routes, skills courses, or community projects would you recommend so they can live this ethos at a weekend level?
South Africans have already shown an interest in supporting and protecting what’s theirs, by buying into campaigns like Proudly South African. We just need this type of mindset to expand beyond just commodities to encompass even the natural environment. There are many grassroots and community-based initiatives that locals can get involved in as a start of their adventures with purpose. It is the involvement in such initiatives that spurs a desire to do more, which often results in a desire to participate in global initiatives such as Defender Trophy.
If the Defender Trophy succeeds by 2026, what story do you want told about its legacy, and who do you hope is telling it, the organisers, the competitors, or the conservation partners it empowered?
There is no doubt that Defender Trophy will be a success, and everyone who participates will have a story to share. It will be about a truly unique event that brings people from all corners of the globe together—not just to compete, but to connect, collaborate, and create lasting memories. Set in breathtaking locations, surrounded by majestic nature, wildlife, and cutting-edge vehicles, this is an event where cultures meet, friendships form, and people unite for a shared purpose—making the world a little better, fuelled by passion, curiosity, camaraderie, and the spirit of adventure.
Image: Defender
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Over the next year, I will be covering the progress of the Defender Trophy for Getaway Mag – whether I make it through to the next round or not! – so keep a close eye if the adventure has piqued your interest.
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