White Desert Antarctica
Antarctica
White Desert Antarctica
www.white-desert.com
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
N/A
Shareholders
Privately Owned
Date of Creation
2005
Hotel General Manager
Leandi Pretorius – As Head of Guest Experience at White Desert Antarctica, Leandi Pretorius is responsible for shaping and delivering exceptional guests experiences across every stage of the clients journey, from Cape Town to the heart of Antarctica.
Her career in luxury hospitality spans more than 15 years, having managed award-winning safari lodges, five-star hotels and remote wilderness properties across Southern Africa. Passionate about people and genuine connections, Leandi loves meeting guests from across the globe and sharing the magic of one of the world’s last great wildernesses; ensuring guests leave Antarctica with memories which will be with them for life.
Hotel Positioning
5* Luxury – Adventure
Development Strategy
2026 will see White Desert open its fourth camp which will become the flagship of the property. Located in the Drygalski Mountain Range, the property will be a private bastion of luxury adventure within dee-field Antarctica.More details to follow in Q3 2026.
White Desert Antarctica
History & Story
White Desert began with a simple but radical idea: that Antarctica — a place long reserved for scientists and extreme explorers — could be experienced in a way that was both deeply respectful of the environment and entirely unlike traditional polar travel. The company’s origins trace back to years of expeditionary work in some of the continent’s most remote regions, where the promise of sharing this extraordinary landscape with others first took shape.
What started as a small, ambitious venture operating from just a handful of tents has grown into a world-leading Antarctic enterprise that welcomes guests into the interior while supporting scientific research and protecting the fragile environment that makes the continent so unique. From the outset, the mission was clear: to open the door to Antarctica responsibly, blending logistical precision with a level of comfort previously unheard of on the ice.
Date Renewal
2025 – Renovation of Whichaway Camp
2026 – Renovation of Echo Camp
Date added extensions
2021 – Launch of Echo Camp
2025 – Launch of Explorer Camp
Main Strengths, Special Touch
White Desert is the world’s only ultra luxury operator in Antarctica. Providing the only opportunity for guests to visit the interior of the continent via private plane, stay in luxury camps and enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as journeying to the Geographic South Pole, Visiting a Colony of Emperor Penguins and scaling ice walls and caves.
Location
Located in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica, just a 5.5 hour flight from Cape Town, South Africa.
Camps Echo and Explorer are located on the ice sheet near the Holtedahl Mountains allowing guests direct access to ice walls, cravasses and nunatuk mountains all from camp.
Whichaway Camp is located on the Schirmacher Oasis, a rocky outcrop next to a frozen oasis lake. From Whichaway, guests are able to explore ice sheets, tunnels and rivers on hikes from the base through a mix of rock and ice terrain.
Key sites/activities in the area
Ice Wall Climbing, Abseiling, Ziplines, Mountain Hiking, Cravass Exploration, Ice Cave Exploration, Ice Tunnel Exploration.
Emperor Penguin Colony Visit
Geographic South Pole Expedition
Fun Facts
When joining White Desert in Antarctica you will land into the continent on a runway carved in the ice.
Your guests will also have the opportunity to visit the South Pole – a feat which less than 500 humans get to experience per year.
Children’s Corner
Children over the age of 10 are welcome to join the programme at White Desert Antarctica, however, clients can only head to the South Pole if they are 16 years or above. If a guest has a child under 16 on their group, it is up to the client to ensure an adult is available to stay behind with the child whilst the South Pole excursion takes place.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Number of Luxury rooms:
Whichaway – 6
Echo – 6
Explorer – 6
• Number of rooms, (keys) in all: 18
Restaurants & Bars
•1 x Restaurant in each camp. All inclusive board for all guests. All dietary can be catered for minus Kosher/Halal. Guests can request food/drink preferences as part of their concierge onboarding so we ensure their favourite drinks/foods et al are on ice for when they arrive.
Wellness
Whichaway & Echo both offer massages from the on-site physiotherapist. All complimentary.
Whichaway & Echo also offer cold plunge pool and sauna in camp.
Corporate & Celebration Events
Available at all camps for private buyouts for celebrations and corporate as needed. Each camp offering 12 guests for private buyout.
Full customisation, concierge service available with options to tailor activities and excursions as well as F&B.
Option for clients to bring their own private jet to camp as well
Extra Notable Features
• Igloo ice bar and movie-theatre available for guests at Echo/Explorer any night. And for Whichaway on final night.
Hotel and restaurant Awards
N/A
Number of employees
N/A