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When to go

The best time for a safari in Kenya is one of the dry seasons, between June and October as well as January and February.  The famous wildebeest herds are in the Maasai Mara in September and October.

Travel to

Antarctica

No other destination in the world will leave you feeling as insignificant before nature, yet as alive, as Antarctica does. Giant glaciers calving enormous icebergs; penguins porpoising through the waters; leopard seal chasing their prey; whales feeding and coming up for air, curiously inspecting you in your zodiac. Hike along pristine shorelines and up snowy ridges to experience incredible views. This is Planet Earth at it's best, a proverbial Eden, Earth as it was before the arrival of humankind. This is a journey of a lifetime and Antarctica will change you forever.

When

Best time to go to

Antarctica

Places

Best places to go in

Antarctica

Experiences

Key experiences in

Antarctica

Itineraries

Best tours in

Antarctica

Best time to Travel to 

Antarctica

No other destination in the world will leave you feeling as insignificant before nature, yet as alive, as Antarctica does. Giant glaciers calving enormous icebergs; penguins porpoising through the waters; leopard seal chasing their prey; whales feeding and coming up for air, curiously inspecting you in your zodiac. Hike along pristine shorelines and up snowy ridges to experience incredible views. This is Planet Earth at it's best, a proverbial Eden, Earth as it was before the arrival of humankind. This is a journey of a lifetime and Antarctica will change you forever.

Must-See Places in 

Antarctica

Signature Experiences in

Antarctica

A note about polar cruises

When cruising in the polar regions, one can never be sure which places one will visit.  A sudden change in weather conditions may necessitate a reroute.  Or you may find a pod of whales to follow, or an iceberg to circumnavigate.  And that is the beauty of polar cruises - you never know what is around the corner; you just know it will be yet another highlight.


Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands have a rich and storied history and they form a great place to experience what life at the ends of the earth is like.  The islands are wonderful for birding and of the five species of penguins to be seen here, it is the only place en-route to the Antarctic Peninsula to see the rockhopper penguin.


South Georgia

Mountainous remote and stunning, South Georgia has abundant wildlife and is a destination all in its own right.  Get up close to nesting albatross and witness massive rookeries of king penguins (by the hundreds of thousands).   Late October marks the beginning of the breeding cycle for many species and you may see male elephant seals battling for control of the beaches and harems.  Is it a wonder polar explorer Shackleton requested to be buried here?


Elephant Island

Elephant Island is where Ernest Shackleton and his crew were hauled up under upturned lifeboats after their ship the Endurance had sunk.  Visiting the island is difficult, but a real thrill for history buffs.


South Shetland Islands

Spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and enormous glaciers mark the South Shetlands, a group of islands featured on nearly all polar cruises.  Highlight for many is the cruise into the flooded volcanic caldera at Deception Island, home to several penguin rookeries along the black sand beaches and a great spot for a swim!


The Antarctic Peninsula

Deep bays, pristine coves and inlets, numerous small islands and heavily glaciated mountains are the hallmarks of the Antarctic Peninsula.  Here you will find three species of penguins - Adélie , chinstrap and gentoo.  It is also a great place to see humpback and minke whales as well as leopard seals.   At Wilhelmina Bay you may see playful humpback whales, while Paradise Bay offers an excellent hike providing stunning panoramic views.  Further south, sail through spectacular Lemaire Channel.


Ross Sea

Protected since 2016 and nicknamed the "Last Ocean" because of its unspoiled nature, the Ross Sea is considered one of the last intact marine ecosystems in the world.  The remote Ross Sea offers enormous tabular ice bergs as well as explorer's huts such as those built by Shackleton and Scott.  Weddell seals and Adélie and emperor penguins make their home here while steaming Mt. Erebus and its dry valleys wait exploration by helicopter.  The Ross Ice Shelf, a floating mass of land-ice with a front 30 meters high was accessed by Amundsen on his way to the South Pole from the Bay of Whales.  


Weddell Sea & Snow Hill Island

Accessible to powerful icebreakers only, the Weddell Sea is home to the famous emperor penguin rookery just south of Snow Hill Island.  The rookery is seldom visited, but you may spot individual emperors out on the ice on their way to open water.  Enjoy scenic flights by helicopter and land in places otherwise inaccessible. 

See elephant seals battle for dominion

South Georgia in late October is where one of nature's most spectacular rituals takes place - that of elephant seals battling for dominion of the beaches and its attendant harems of females.


Get close to a penguin

While we discourage guests walking up to penguins, you will find them equally curious about you.  Sit down on the snow or rocks and wait for them to come over.  


Pay homage to Shackleton

After rowing by open boat 800 miles from Elephant Island Shackleton and his two companions then trekked across the mountains of South Georgia to get help for their stranded crew mates.  Shackleton requested to be buried at South Georgia and it is here you can visit his grave and that of his right-hand man, Frank Wild.


Hike the mountains

There is no experience quite like hiking up a pristine mountain in Antarctica, walking past penguin rookeries and enjoying the spectacular panorama of icebergs, sea and glaciers.


Kayak the seas

Hear the swish of water passing your hull, glide across a still bay with mountains and glaciers reflected in the water, get up close to whales and other wildlife. Experience the serenity of Antarctica to its fullest.


Cruise by zodiac

Zodiacs are sturdy inflatable boats used to explore hidden coves and inlets, always on the lookout for wildlife.  Cruise through the ice and land on a beach none has gone before.


Ski the slopes, snowshoe the hills

Skiing and snowshoeing are unique ways to experience the beauty of Antarctica away from the ship.


Dive the ice

For experienced cold-water divers the combination of sunlight and ice formations make for an overwhelming, ever-changing spectre of colours, with an incredible variety of shades and brilliance.  


Camp out on the ice

Experience a night in Antarctica like no other, listening to the crackling and grumbling of glaciers, the ice washing up on the beach and perhaps the blow of a whale, feeding in the bay nearby. Sleeping under the midnight sun is an experience not to be missed.


Have a BBQ

As you enjoy the camaraderie and great food served on deck, the captain will make sure the ship turns slowly a full 360 degrees, giving you a fantastic view of the panorama around you.


Swim!

While a quick plunge in Antarctic waters will be invigorating for sure, a dip in the thermal waters on the black-sand beach at Deception Island, drink in hand, is an experience to be enjoyed by all.


Be out on deck

With the long light of polar summer nights you may find yourself waking up at unusual hours.  Take the opportunity to go out on deck alone and watch the scenery and wildlife drift by.  Deckside is where it all happens!


Learn from the experts

Polar cruises all bring expert lecturers along, teaching you about such subjects as history, flora and fauna, photography and exploration.

Suggested Tours

East African Wildlife Safari

 

Tour code: FEAW

 

Why we love this trip: Our best-selling safari visiting all major game parks in Kenya and Tanzania

 

Places visited: Nairobi, Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Lake Victoria, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara,  Amboseli.

 

Signature Experiences: Lots of game drives, Great Migration, village visit, canoe trip, optional balloon safari

 

Length: 14 days

 

Accommodation: Safari lodges & luxury tented camps

 

Included meals: breakfast in Nairobi, all meals while on safari

 

Transport: Minivan & 4x4 Landcruiser

 

Departures: Set small-group dates and daily private departures

 

Customizable? Yes, price on request

 

Price: Small group departures priced from $3995(low season) - $5280(high season)

Kenya Wildlife Safari

 

Tour code: FKWS

 

Why we love this trip: This popular safari visits all major game parks in Kenya

 

Places visited: Nairobi, Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara

 

Signature Experiences: Lots of game drives, Great Migration, village visit, optional balloon safari

 

Length: 8 days

 

Accommodation: Safari lodges & luxury tented camps

 

Included meals: breakfast in Nairobi, all meals while on safari

 

Transport: Minivan

 

Departures: Set small-group dates and daily private departures

 

Customizable? Yes, price on request

 

Price: Small group departures priced from $1995 (low season) - $2781(high season)

Gorillas & Maasai Mara

 

Tour code: EWYU

 

Why we love this trip: This popular safari visits major game parks in Kenya and offers gorilla tracking

 

Places visited: Nairobi, Lakes Naivasha & Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Jinja, Lake Bunyonyi, Volcanoes NP, Kigali

 

Signature Experiences: game drives, Great Migration, village visit, optional balloon safari, rafting, gorilla trek

 

Length: 16 days

 

Accommodation: full service camping in campsites, permanent tented camps, hotels

 

Included meals: 15 breakfasts, 14 lunches, 13 dinners

 

Transport: overland vehicle

 

Departures: set small-group dates

 

Customizable? Yes, we can tailor this in lodges and hotels - price on request

 

Price: Small group departures priced from $3910

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