Established in 2005 by record-breaking polar explorer duo Patrick and Robyn Woodhead, White Desert Antarctica has since pioneered luxury travel to Antarctica. The company is the only operator to fly guests out of South Africa direct to the Continent, managing and operating a unique blue-ice runway. Guests arrive by private jet and have the selection of unique camps, Whichaway – the company’s flagship camp, Wolf’s Fang which opened in 2021 – and now Echo, set to open in December 2022.
Offering a carbon-neutral experience that is as luxurious as it is adventurous, White Desert Antarctica allows for people other than scientists and polar explorers to see the wonders of the interior of Antarctica.
Patrick explains that the moment of inspiration for White Desert came during a 1,850km expedition on foot across Antarctica with three teammates. “For four days a storm had raged outside and all of us were feeling a little defeated – we were getting low on supplies and even worse, starting to tell the same stories! Then we began to wonder why only scientists and the occasional polar explorer ever got to see the real Antarctica, the interior of the Great White Continent.”
Inspired by the seminal age of Space exploration, Echo will feature six heated, cutting-edge bedrooms ‘sky pods’ which each provide commanding views of the dramatic landscape beyond.
Woodhead describes the environment in Antarctica as having “an enigmatic quality, from vast white nothingness to thin spire mountain ranges and rocky moonscapes. Space exploration has revealed similarly mysterious landscapes across the Universe.”
These space-inspired pods are crafted from composite fiberglass and feature retro space-age detailing and luxurious furnishings as well as original photos taken from the International Space Station (ISS). The camp will also offer a central lounge area, dining and heated shower pods.
Located at the coordinates of 71°32’47” S 8°50’11” E, guests fly from Cape Town to Wolf’s Fang Runway, the only exclusively private jet runway in Antarctica, and then take a 6X6 arctic safari vehicle or Star Wars inspired land sled to get to the ultra-luxe camp. Upon arrival, guests will be escorted to a private lounge where a martini, shaken with 10,000-year-old ice, will be served.
Alongside the imposing mountains of Queen Maud Land, the stylish, modern new eco-camp can cater to up to 12 guests. The camp combines an ultra-luxury experience (there is an on-site team of chefs, hosts and expert guides) with a once in lifetime adventure catering to those discerning clientele who have who’ve travelled the globe in style. Along with being ultra-exclusive, White Desert Antarctica is proud to effect positive change through travel and alongside the trials this season with Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), they pledge to use $1,000 per person per trip to Echo on their conservation, community and sustainability initiatives.
Along with scheduling a bucket-list journey to the South Pole or visiting the nearby 28,000 strong Emperor Penguin colony, other activities that can be arranged include: skiing, fatbiking, Nunatuk tour, abseiling, ice climbing, an arctic truck safari and mountaineer expeditions.
The company offers expeditions between five and eight days, with a starting rate using Whichaway of $62,500/person or a camp buyout starting at $750,000. All accommodation, food and beverages and activities around camp are included. For more information visit www.white-desert.com or email info@white-desert.com.
Photos relating to Echo / Antarctica can be credited ‘Courtesy of White Desert Antarctica’