11 Feb 2022

Wilderness Safaris and White Desert Introduce Latest Africa and Antarctica Journeys

Wilderness Safaris and White Desert have come together once again, to design two adventure-packed joint itineraries featuring the best of Africa and Antarctica, set to take place in January 2023. 

The first itinerary, Ice & Fire: Antarctica and Rwanda is a 20-day journey from 8 - 28 January, discovering the highlights of Cape Town, Antarctica and Rwanda. After two nights at the One&Only Cape Town, a maximum of 12 guests will depart on a private jet to White Desert’s brand-new camp, Echo, boasting Sky Pods with expansive windows and dramatic views over the Antarctic playground. During their stay, travellers will take a 2.5-hour flight to Atka Bay, to observe over 14 000 breeding pairs of penguins and their chicks. Guests will embark on an overnight excursion by plane to the South Pole. Other activities include trekking through ice waves, exploring crystal caves, fat biking and cross country skiing, accompanied by highly qualified and knowledgeable White Desert guides.

Guests will then return to Cape Town for three days, looked after by a Wilderness Private Journeys guide. The Rwanda journey will kick off in Kigali, before taking a short flight to Wilderness Magashi Camp for an East African safari. Located in Akagera National Park, Magashi boasts prolific wildlife. Next, guests will take a scenic helicopter flip to the award-winning Bisate Lodge. Nestled on the slopes of an eroded crater, each of Bisate’s six suites overlooks two enormous extinct volcanoes. Guests will trek through the rainforests of Volcanoes National Park, for an encounter with a family of endangered mountain gorillas. Other activities include trekking to observe the golden monkey population in the park, planting trees for reforestation and connecting with the local community. Guests will be guided through Rwanda by a private Wilderness specialist photographic guide.

The 18-day second journey, Wild Desert Adventure: Antarctica and Namibia, takes guests from the ancient and remote Namib Desert to the southernmost point on Earth. Set to take place from 7-24 January, travellers begin with an overnight stay at Johannesburg’s Saxon Hotel before flying to Namibia to experience the highlights of the Namib Desert. Here they explore the dramatic landscapes of the Sossusvlei dune field, with a stay at Wilderness’s Little Kulala. Guests then fly to Namibia’s remote north-west to experience a stay at Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp to photograph the unique desert-adapted wildlife of the Hoanib Valley, ending at the beautiful Serra Cafema to visit the culturally rich Himba people. Guests will be guided through Namibia by a private Wilderness specialist photographic guide. After a flight to Cape Town to spend two nights at the One&Only Hotel, before departing on a private jet flight for the South Pole to experience six-nights at White Desert’s Echo camp. In addition to standing on the bottom of the world, guests will enjoy the same activities as per the above itinerary.

To book, please contact [email protected] or for more information visit www.wilderness-safaris.com/white-desert