Classic Antarctica Adventure
Cross the Drake Passage and Explore Antarctica and the South Shetland Islands.
From 9500 per personAntarctica Safaris
Located at the southern end of the world, this unowned, extraordinarily stark yet pristine wilderness offers pure natural beauty and a truly unique safari experience. Largely untouched by humans, the vast frozen continent is a remote wilderness shaped by the elements. Penguins can be found in unfathomable quantities, and you can witness them waddling awkwardly on land, then marvel at their speed and elegance in the water. Antarctica is the world’s most remote continent, covering a mind-boggling 5.4 million square miles, and home to the coldest, windiest, and driest location on earth.
The Antarctica Safari Experience
- Marvel at extraordinary colonies of penguins from King, Emperors, Adélies, Gentoos, and Rockhoppers, to the Macaronis. The King Penguins on the Salisbury Plains of South Georgia can be seen in numbers up to 500,000. These loveable creatures - clumsy on land and swift in the water - are found in huge numbers all over and may be witnessed hatching, feeding, or courting.
- Watching whales breach the wild southern oceans is unforgettable. Species such as southern right, blue, orca, minke, sperm, humpback, sei, fin, and beaked are all found in Antarctic waters.
- Leopard and fur seals can often be seen around the Antarctic Peninsula, whilst Weddell seals are found further south and crabeater seals are generally found around pack ice. Elephant seals and fur seals can be found on most (if not all) landings on South Georgia.
- Far from anywhere and everywhere, expect overwhelmingly vast landscapes comprised of stunning icebergs and glaciers, jagged mountains and valleys.
Why Natural World Safaris?
While there are many tour operators offering trips and cruises to Antarctica, it is our wildlife expertise and key partnerships that set us apart. Our considerable experience and wealth of knowledge has led to carefully selected expeditions, providing you with nothing but the best ships and guides; placing you in the right place at the right time to maximise your encounters with Antarctic's wildlife.
Antarctica Safaris
Ross Sea Expedition
Follow in the wake of Shackleton and Scott and explore untouched, rugged and wild landscapes.
From 28500 per person
Spring Emperor Penguins of Atka Bay
Fly into the Great White Continent and visit the Emperor Penguin colony, camping out on the ice.
From 67500 per person
Talk to a Antarctica Destination Specialist
The Antarctica Safari Experience
How Much Does Antarctica Cost?
Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula by expedition ship, including a crossing of the Drake Passage, will start from approximately $9,500 per person for an 11-day expedition. Flying down to the world’s largest desert and avoiding the Drake Passage will increase your starting budget, typically starting from approximately $14,500 per person for an 8-day journey.
For the continent’s most luxurious expedition, spent exploring Antarctica’s interior, and with the potential to set foot on the geographic and ceremonial South Pole, expect to budget from $68,500 to $110,000 per person.
When to Go to Antarctica?
The Antarctic season is relatively short, from mid-October through March, and sees temperatures ranging from 0-50F. Travelling early in the season offers unique wildlife with a backdrop of snowy peaks and towering icebergs. Mid-season is the peak time for penguin hatching, and the end of the season sees the whales arriving in the greatest numbers. Read more about when to go to Antarctica.
Where to Stay in Antarctica?
Navigate Antarctica by first-class expedition ship or even sleep on the icy continent in unique camps. This forbidding landscape is the realm of expedition travel, and your accommodation options will be on carefully chosen specialist vessels designed to navigate the icy waters. We only work with ships that we know offer the perfect mix of stability, speed, comfort, expert leadership, and safety. Read more.
Emperor Penguins & The South Pole
A luxurious safari to the heart of the great white continent; this safari is one of our favourite ways to see Antarctica. Be one of the few to visit the very bottom of the planet and stand on the South Pole before visiting the Akta Bay Emperor Penguin colony. Witness over 14,000 breeding pairs and their newly-hatched chicks as they start leaving their parent's feet for the first time!
Read more
When to Go
The best time to visit Antarctica is during the the austral summer and Antarctic travel season run from mid-October through to March. Outside these times, it is not possible to travel to Antarctica. Weather, sea conditions, sunlight and wildlife sightings vary greatly as the continent’s climate can change from minute to minute, a true wilderness.
Read more
Antarctica Photography
The remote region of Antarctica is a photographer's paradise. From stunning ice statues to peppy penguins.
Read moreWhat to expect from a trip to Antarctica
Client Reviews
Rated 4.7/5 based on 7 customer reviews
- —Tony C who travelled on Antarctica Small Group Expedition
NWS answered every question, got the balance between chasing paperwork and supplying information absolutely right. 10/10 is a fair score (no, really!) Of course, there is always room for improvement, but it soon became clear when I got on the ship that I had all the necessary documentation sent to me well in advance - this was via proactive email communication. So, I had all the correct documentation well in advance (others had not). The actual journey itself was superb from start to finish and the guides and crew were the best in the business without a doubt. They are all (every single one) very, very good at their jobs. This is my 2nd trip with NWS and I always feel that nothing is too much bother for the NWS people. Every question is answered, the team are helpful and the attention to detail is superb.
- —Keri H who travelled on Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica Safari
Everything was amazing, I'm still trying to get my head round everything we saw and did. Excellent service, booking and high-quality trips.
- —Harry S who travelled on Antarctica Small Group Expedition
An awesome and life-changing experience. The two weeks in Antarctica will be treasured and I certainly hope to visit that continent again in the future. NWS and their counterparts at One Expedition were helpful at every step of the way.
- —Gareth W who travelled on the Andy Rouse Antarctica Safari
It was a most memorable and well organised trip - one of the best organised trips I have been on. Would highly recommend it. The locations we visited were amazing.
- —Elizabeth S who travelled on Andy Rouse Antarctica Safari
Wonderful, awesome, very well organised on the ship, very good presentations on photography and art, early polar exploration, the protection of Antarctica, and from the naturalists on board. The food on board was excellent and I enjoyed the trip enormously.
- —Tarina Hill who travelled on Andy Rouse Antarctica Safari
An amazing trip, excellent crew, good food and interesting presentations.
- —Gareth W who travelled on Andy Rouse Antarctica Safari
It was a most memorable and well organised trip - one of the best organised trips I have been on. Would highly recommend it. The locations we visited were amazing.
Antarctica Safaris FAQs
Where is Antarctica?
Antarctica is located at the southernmost part of the Earth. It is the continent that surrounds the South Pole and is situated almost entirely within the Antarctic Circle. It is bordered by the Southern Ocean,is covered by a vast ice sheet, and is known for its extreme cold temperatures and unique polar ecosystems.
Is Antarctica a desert?
Antarctica is a desert because it gets very little precipitation, mainly in the form of snow. Antarctica is the world’s largest desert.
What animals live in Antarctica?
There are a host of animals that have adapted to Antarctica’s extreme cold. Penguins, seals (like Weddell and Leopard seals), whales (including Orcas and Blue whales), and birds (such as Snow petrels and Albatross) inhabit its coasts and waters. Fish like Antarctic toothfish, invertebrates like krill, and microorganisms also thrive in the surrounding waters. Each creature has uniquely evolved to survive and thrive in such a harsh environment. The volume of wildlife in this seemingly desolate desert makes Antarctica a fantastic place for a safari.
How many people live in Antarctica?
Antarctica is primarily inhabited by scientific research personnel. The population fluctuates, with approximately 1,100 during the harsh winter and around 4,400 in the milder months (October to February). Additionally, there are about 1,000 staff in nearby waters during this period.
What can tourists do in Antarctica?
Tourists visiting Antarctica can enjoy scenic cruises, wildlife viewing (penguins, seals, whales), educational lectures, Zodiac boat tours, photography, kayaking, snowshoeing, and even camping. They may also visit research stations and experience unique activities like polar plunges. Strict regulations are in place to protect the environment and wildlife, and visitors must follow guidelines to minimise impact.