Classic Antarctica Adventure
Cross the Drake Passage and Explore Antarctica and the South Shetland Islands.
From 7595 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 incomparable; a remote wilderness shaped by the elements. Penguins can be found in unfathomable quantities; witness them waddling awkwardly and marvel at their speed and elegance in the water. The most remote continent, Antarctica is a wild land of superlatives; the coldest, windiest and driest location on earth covering a mind-boggling 14 million square kilometers, about half the area of Africa.
The Antarctica Safari Experience
Penguin Colonies
Antarctica hosts some of the world’s largest penguin colonies. See 500,000 king penguins on South Georgia’s Salisbury Plains, along with species like emperor, Adélie, gentoo, rockhopper, and macaroni penguins. Depending on the season, witness penguins hatching, feeding, or courting.
Whale Watching
The nutrient-rich waters of Antarctica offer prime whale-watching opportunities. Spot humpbacks, blue whales, orcas, minkes, and more. Breaching whales is a breathtaking highlight of any Antarctic safari.
Seals & Marine Mammals
Antarctica is home to leopard seals, fur seals, Weddell seals, crabeater seals, and elephant seals. These marine mammals are often spotted resting on ice floes or along shorelines. Explore more of Antarctica's amazing wildlife.
Antarctic Landscapes
Marvel at towering glaciers, vast icebergs, and snow-covered valleys that make up Antarctica’s dramatic, frozen wilderness. The continent’s landscapes are as stunning as its wildlife.
Antarctica Safaris
Ross Sea Expedition
Follow in the wake of Shackleton and Scott and explore untouched, rugged and wild landscapes.
From 23000 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 54250 per person
Talk to a Antarctica Destination Specialist
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.
How Much Does Antarctica Cost?
Crossing the Drake Passage on an expedition ship to explore the Antarctic Peninsula starts from only $9,500 per person for a 11-day trip. Flying down to the world’s largest desert, typically expect to budget from $14,500 for an 8-day itinerary, including the flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island. If you would prefer to be immersed in the activity of the emperor penguin rookery, budget from $67,000 per person for 7 days.
When to Go to Antarctica?
The Antarctic season is relatively short, from mid-October through to March, and sees temperatures ranging from -16C to 10C. 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, and its exact coordinates vary depending on specific locations. The continent 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. Despite being icy, it's the world's largest desert due to its low annual rainfall.
What animals live in Antarctica?
Antarctica hosts diverse animals adapted to its 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. These creatures have evolved unique ways to survive in this harsh environment. Discover more about Antarctica's wildlife.
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). The mild months and Antarctica’s tourist season also brings an additional 1,000 staff found in its surrounding water.
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.