White Desert Antarctica

22/11/2024

Behind the Buff: Oleg Sakharov

Antarctica creates something of an optical illusion when it comes to people. With a blur of beanies, buffs, and sunglasses, it can be tricky to tell who’s who.

That being said, let’s get to know some of the team members you’ll spot running around on the ice. Meet Oleg, our Runway Manager: a man of many talents—one of White Desert's long-standing team members. You might even catch him on a skidoo, channelling his inner James Bond as he zips around Wolf's Fang Runway.

21/11/2024

Touch down!

Our first guest flight of the season landed in Antarctica at the beginning of this week. We are so excited for this season's adventures—with various camp upgrades and new territories to explore.

Watch our 2023/24 highlights below.

Both Echo and Whichaway camps are equally exceptional, and offer the highest levels of comfort and luxury. Each are designed to be dismantled, leaving only a...

18/11/2024

Behind the scenes: Whichaway Wellness Dome

This season, we’re thrilled to introduce Whichaway Camp’s new Wellness Dome – a warm sanctuary amidst Antarctica’s stunning frozen lakes. Before heading off to Antarctica, our team did a test run of assembling the geodesic dome at our Cape Town warehouse! Essentially, a very large and complicated puzzle...

We're excited to introduce this whole new element to our Wellness at Wichaway experience! Here, guests can immerse themselves in the profound stillness of the Schirmacher Oasis, surrounded by glaciers and blue ice. Part of the Whichaway Wellness Hub, the dome joins our sauna and ice plunge, offering a serene space for mindfulness, meditation, and rejuvenation.

18/11/2024

Navigating Antarctica by land (or rather, 'by ice') is all about cruising in our 6x6 ARCTIC TRUCKS, custom-built for the frozen terrain. Just like our runway and skiways, these routes are carefully planned and trailblazed by our Kässbohrer Pistenbully.

Follow the link below for a behind-the-scenes of our logistics on ice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VROwWholofk

14/11/2024

Last week, White Desert hosted an exclusive gathering at our Guest Experience Centre for a select group of private guides, curators of unique and extraordinary experiences and travel specialists with discerning clients.

During this intimate event our CEO and founder, Patrick Woodhead, shared the story of how it all began 20 years ago. Rebecca Warne also shared updates on the remarkable initiatives of the newly launched White Desert Foundation

It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with our trade partners and for them to meet the team! Thanks to our Trade Relations Manager Michelle Koen for bring us all together.

12/11/2024

Taking window seat views to a whole new level—catching the first glimpses of icebergs as you approach Antarctica.

08/11/2024

As a company founded by environmentally conscious, record-breaking explorers, we have always strived to leave a positive impact on the landscapes we traverse.

Operating in the pristine wilderness of Antarctica, we carry this responsibility with deep reverence, dedicated to setting a new benchmark for sustainable tourism in such a unique ecosystem.

To dive deeper into our ongoing efforts in decarbonising aviation, we spoke with our environmental scientist, Eleni Antoniades. She offers insights into today’s journey and the promising future of these initiatives in Antarctica and beyond.

https://white-desert.com/blog/decarbonising-aviation-at-white-desert/

05/11/2024

Take a look into one of our 'Greatest Day' experiences, brilliantly documented by Joe Hattab.

From arriving in Cape Town to our safety briefing process and finally, an epic few hours spent on the 7th Continent.

My Solo Trip to Antarctica 🇦🇶 القطب المتجمد الجنوبي جدار أنتاركتيكارحلتنا اليوم كانت من كيب تاون إلى القارة السابعة، القارة البيضاء، أكبر صحراء بالعالمالقط...

03/11/2024

If you’re thinking about how to do Christmas a little differently this year…

Imagine a white wonderland with vistas that stretch into the wilderness, champagne and exquisite meals served around a table that harks back to the great explorers.

Or venturing out to do something you have never done before around our unique Whichaway camp and Wellness Dome.

Whilst Santa may be in the North Pole, we can offer a whole lot more on the southern continent!

Email Mindy, at [email protected] to enquire about Christmas at Whichaway.

01/11/2024

As a land of extremes, the landscape in Antarctica naturally evolves from vast white plateaus to spires of rock and mountains piercing the glacier. Our camps, Echo and Whichaway, offer a front-row seat to the changes wrought by the turning of the seasons, providing a unique lens through which to experience the frozen frontier.

As the austral summer begins, the world surrounding the camps is locked in an icy embrace. Frozen lakes stretch before you, and the entire landscape is bathed in 24-hour sunlight, casting a brilliant glow over the pristine wilderness...

https://white-desert.com/blog/early-vs-late-season-in-antarctica/

29/10/2024

“There’s definitely a sense of achievement that comes from exploring Antarctica. Climbing nunataks and glaciers requires pushing yourself a little bit out of your comfort zone, but you’re then rewarded with the most wonderful views—and a hot chocolate!” -

Antarctica demands a unique kind of grit. Not quite that of the early explorers, but a spirit willing to venture beyond the familiar. Far from the bustle of everyday life, this is an adventure that only a select few will ever experience—into a land that has profoundly influenced history, exploration, and scientific research.

This willingness to learn and be transformed is richly rewarded with breathtaking landscapes and an adventure that will leave you truly forever changed.

27/10/2024

"There's definitely a sense of achievement that comes from exploring Antarctica. Climbing Nanataks and glaciers requires pushing yourself a little bit out of your comfort zone, and then be rewarded with the most wonderful views—and a hot chocolate!" - Annabel Illingworth

Antarctica demands a unique kind of grit. Not quite that of the early explorers, but a spirit willing to venture beyond the familiar. Far from the bustle of everyday life, this is an adventure that only a select few will ever experience—into a land that has profoundly influenced history, exploration, and scientific research.

This willingness to learn and be transformed is richly rewarded with breathtaking landscapes and an adventure that will leave you truly forever changed.

https://white-desert.com

23/10/2024

Flying into the interior of Antarctica grants you an extraordinary opportunity—early in the season, before the pack ice melts, you can witness Emperor penguin chicks in their most delicate stage, still wrapped in fluffy down and nestled close to their parents.

This intimate wildlife encounter, seen by only a select few, offers a rare glimpse of these majestic birds during the brief window when they are at their most vulnerable and endearing.

https://white-desert.com/adventures/early-emperors/

20/10/2024

When planning a journey to the 7th Continent, the most familiar route has often been by sea—aboard grand cruise ships navigating the turbulent waters of the Southern Ocean.

While these traditional voyages offer a fantastic glimpse of Antarctica’s coastline, for those wanting to save time and experience more of what the 7th Continent has to offer, our flight from Cape Town to Antarctica provides a direct and luxurious option to get straight into the heart of it all.

https://white-desert.com/blog/the-ultimate-case-for-flying-to-antarctica/

09/10/2024

Antarctica has the immense ability to transform the most ordinary activities into extraordinary experiences.

Explore the 7th continent, the white desert way.
https://white-desert.com

04/10/2024

We’re thrilled to announce that White Desert Antarctica has been named a Condé Nast Traveler 2024 Reader’s Choice Award Winner!

As we head into the 2024 season, we also celebrate nearly 20 years since our founding—an achievement only made possible by the dedication and passion of our amazing team, past and present, who have all played a vital role in shaping White Desert into what it is today.

Here's to the 2024 season!

https://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/antarctica/echo

02/10/2024

Explore the Best of Both—Echo and Whichaway in one experience.

Your unforgettable journey awaits.

Follow the link in our bio to learn more.

Images by

29/09/2024

The Twin Otter: a true legend in aviation history.

Since its debut in the 1960s, this rugged workhorse has proven itself in some of the world’s most remote and unforgiving environments.

Renowned for its short takeoff and landing capabilities, the Twin Otter—fitted with ski landing gear—is the perfect addition to our fleet for exploring the wonders of Antarctica.`

https://white-desert.com/adventures/