The Airbus A340 flight from Cape Town, South Africa, to Wolf’s Fang landing strip in Antarctica once served a straightforward purpose: ferrying scientists, staff, and select guests to White Desert’s seasonal camps. White Desert, a luxury travel company specializing in adventures to the frozen continent, prided itself on offering unique, high-end experiences in one of the most remote places on Earth. However, these flights were rarely full. The empty seats became the starting point for an ambitious and unconventional idea: a one-day trip to Antarctica.
It sounds almost surreal—after all, Antarctica is the stuff of epic journeys, the kind of destination people imagine spending weeks to explore. But now, thanks to White Desert and their Southern African partner, Travel Republic Africa, the impossible has become reality. “You can wake up in Cape Town, fly to Antarctica, step onto the ice, and still be home in time for dinner,” says a representative from Travel Republic Africa.
Birth of an ambitious idea
The concept of a same-day round trip to Antarctica wasn’t born overnight. The seeds for the project were planted in 2004 when White Desert’s founder, Patrick Woodhead, completed a record-setting Antarctic expedition. A year later, the company welcomed its first guests to the icy wilderness. Over time, the vision expanded. Milestones included the launch of Whichaway Camp in 2012, the reopening of the Wolf’s Fang Runway in 2016, and, perhaps most groundbreaking of all, the introduction of the first commercial Airbus A340 flights to Antarctica in 2021.
The idea of turning empty flight seats into a bucket-list journey for travelers was a natural next step. Travel Republic Africa, the Cape Town-based facilitator for White Desert, played a pivotal role in refining the logistics of this audacious plan. “We saw those extra seats as an opportunity to offer people something no one else could—an unforgettable one-day adventure to one of the most isolated places on the planet,” they explain.
A journey like no other
How is a one-day trip to Antarctica even possible? It’s all thanks to the long-range Airbus A340, which makes the 5 to 5.5-hour flight from Cape Town to Wolf’s Fang Runway seem effortless. Once the plane lands, guests have roughly three hours to immerse themselves in the pristine Antarctic landscape before boarding for the return flight.
“Every moment is carefully designed for maximum impact,” says the Travel Republic Africa team. “From the second the plane departs Cape Town to the time guests set foot on the ice, the experience is crafted to leave them in awe.”
During their time on the continent, travelers are guided by White Desert hosts through a range of activities: hiking across the ice, exploring ice caves, enjoying snacks and drinks in a snow lounge, and soaking in the vast, silent beauty of Antarctica. The itinerary is designed to give participants a deep, emotional connection to the environment, even in such a short amount of time.
Behind the scenes: Challenges and triumphs
Organizing a trip like this isn’t without its challenges. “Antarctica is one of the most remote and unpredictable places on Earth,” Travel Republic Africa explains. “Logistics and weather are our biggest hurdles.” White Desert operates exclusively during the short 2.5-month summer season, and everything—from infrastructure to supplies—must be shipped or flown in. Sudden weather changes require constant monitoring and contingency plans.
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
Despite these difficulties, the team is proud of what they’ve achieved. “The experience is beyond breathtaking,” they share. “It’s humbling, surreal, and truly once in a lifetime. We’ve done the trip ourselves to understand every detail and ensure our clients have the best possible experience.”
What makes this trip different?
Unlike Antarctic cruises, which require weeks of travel and often involve unpredictable sea crossings, this journey is efficient and high-end. Guests fly directly to the continent, bypassing the arduous voyage by sea, and return home the same day. “It’s quick, seamless, and luxurious,” says Travel Republic Africa.
The cost reflects the exclusivity of the experience. Priced at $15,590 per person, the package includes round-trip flights, guided on-ice exploration, refreshments, and full logistical support. “It’s not just a trip—it’s an extraordinary adventure,” they emphasize.
The reaction from travelers who’ve taken the journey has been overwhelmingly emotional. Many arrive expecting to simply “check Antarctica off the bucket list,” but leave deeply moved by the experience. “Antarctica is unlike anywhere else—silent, vast, and emotionally profound,” says the team. “Many describe it as life-changing. Hearing these personal stories is one of the most rewarding parts of our work.”
Looking ahead
The one-day Antarctic adventure has set a new standard for luxury travel, but White Desert and Travel Republic Africa aren’t stopping there. Their vision extends to other “impossible” destinations, from the Arctic to remote desert landscapes—and maybe even outer space one day.
“Our mission is to make the extraordinary possible,” they declare. For now, though, they’re focused on sharing the magic of Antarctica, even if only for a single, unforgettable day.