White Desert

White Desert, Antarctica’s first and only luxury camp, is launching an exclusive private jet service from Cape Town, South Africa to Antarctica. Guests can now fly to the continent in the utmost style and comfort with a maximum of only 12 clients on each departure.

A once in a lifetime experience, a visit to the White Desert’s Whichaway Camp has attracted guests such as legendary NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Bear Grylls and Prince Harry. With the first departure scheduled for November 2017, a Gulfstream jet will fly guests 4,000km over the incredible icepack of the Southern Ocean before passing into 24 hours of continuous sunshine. With one of the most iconic mountains on Earth as the backdrop – named Wolfs Fang- clients will land on a specially prepared blue ice runway. The flight is carbon neutral and White Desert is running the service in line with strict ecological guidelines.

The Gulfstream flight is a unique experience in itself. During the flight, guests will enjoy a selection of delicacies including sushi and wagyu beef tartare, while cocktails are garnished with thousand year old glacial ice from Antarctica. For the 2017/2018 season and beyond, White Desert will be offering guests a range of private jet trips. Their signature experience ‘Emperors and South Pole’ is an 8-day trip into the very heart of Antarctica. Starting at the White Desert’s Whichaway camp, guests will fly two hours along the dramatic coast to visit a 6,000-strong Emperor penguin colony and their newly hatched chicks; one of the most remote and unseen wildlife spectacles on Earth. Further highlights include a visit to the American science station at the Geographic South Pole, the lowest point on earth. Also available this season is the 4 day ‘Ice and Mountains’ adventure and the ‘Greatest Day’, a private chartered one day trip to Antarctica.

The new experiences are designed to cater for time-strapped adventurers wishing to experience the real interior of Antarctica. Another exciting addition to the 2017 season is a one-off trip hosted by NASA Astronaut Terry Virts, which will include a special Antarctic screening of his recently released IMAX movie ‘A Beautiful Planet’, with Terry narrating astounding tales from his time as International Space Station commander. Limited space are available on 2017/18 trips and bookings are now open for the 2018/19 season.

Founded by record-breaking polar explorer, Patrick Woodhead, and wife Robyn, White Desert prides itself on revealing the real Antarctica to its guests, whilst ensuring a tailored experience that accommodates even the most discerning traveller’s needs. With genuine polar explorers as guides, thrill-seekers can learn to high-line between two ice peaks, rock climb and trek through mazes of iridescent blue ice grottos. For those seeking a more relaxed trip, guests can indulge in culinary excellence prepared by White Desert’s resident chef Justine Lindsey (Lewis Hamilton’s private chef) and enjoy visits to world renowned science bases and trail walks to penguin colonies.

The camp underwent a stunning refurbishment in 2016 for its 10 year anniversary, which saw it fitted with heated fibreglass sleeping pods, a lounge pod with library, and a custom-designed dining room complete with fur lined chairs. Adding new upgrades to its already impressive list of amenities, White Desert will offer guests a brand new washroom and a refurbished reception pod for the 2017/2018 season. The camp operates a ‘zero-impact policy’ and has been fully carbon neutral since 2007, running predominantly on renewable energy. In early 2017, White Desert was shortlisted for two Environmental Impact Awards. It has been an active member of IAATO since 2007 and Robyn Woodhead now sits on the association’s Executive Committee.