From Cape Town to Antarctica - the incredible journey

Staff Reporter|Published 2 months ago

WORLD-FIRST RECORD RIDE: Adventurer, author and bicycle-lover Murray Williams has become the first person in history to ride a tandem bicycle in Antarctica - according to available international records. Williams rode with a fellow Antarctic expeditioner, nature photographer and film-maker CamRobinson, on the blue ice and snow of Dronning Maud Land. PICTURE: Professor Peter Ryan

PICTURE: MURRAY WILLIAMS In a stunning juxtaposition of shadows and light, the aircraft stands on the Antarctic ice.

PICTURES: Murray WilliamsThis sequence of images was shot by Murray Williams, of Somerset West, on a recent visit to a colony of Emperor Penguins, on the edge of the continental ice shelf of Antarctica. The colonies are reached by Twin Otter aircraft, led by leading ornithologists and polar guides, and include careful recording of scientific data, for several research programmes. Every visit to Emperor Penguins is strictly controlled, and close-up images are achieved using zoom lenses, to ensure no physical contact or close proximity to the creatures.

As Cape Town’s tourist season booms this summer, the city is becoming equally famous as a gateway to: Antarctica.

The world’s most remote continent can be reached from Cape Town via the “air bridge” - an established flight to Antarctica, which takes less than six hours.

Once passengers have landed on carefully-prepared blue ice runways, a range of expeditions await - including flights to the geographic South Pole, “ice walls” and “ice tunnels” and visits to colonies of Emperor Penguins, which spend a few summer months on the edge of Antarctica’s continental ice shelf.

Ultima Antarctic Expeditions is based in Cape Town, and officially launched its new Ultima Oasis Camp in November.

“The energy on the ground in Antarctica is palpable. Our expert-led Ultima logistics team and our world-class Ultima Antarctic Expeditions hospitality team have been preparing for this debut for months,” said Ultima CEO Riaan Aucamp.

“We've put the highest levels of biosecurity, safety training and care in place and have been excited to welcome and delight our guests from across the world this season."

Guests travel alongside scientists and researchers already en route to deep field Antarctica - part of the symbiotic relationship between high-end adventure travel and Antarctic science.

With a short Summer season running from now to February next year, Ultima’s Oasis Camp has quickly become one of the most sought-after destinations for luxury travellers.

Most recently, Ultima’s expeditions have been listed as one of CN Traveller’s top 25 experiences to plan in 2025.

Located in the serene Schirmacher Oasis, travellers experience the kind of creature comforts usually found in the world’s most elite retreats.

Blending aesthetics with eco-conscious, modern functionality, the camp offers an intimate sanctuary for 14 guests, with private suites configurable for couples, families or solo travellers.

Head chef Jesse Wollenschlaeger and in-house sommelier Billy Dyoko are part of the team, offering a dining while enjoying panoramic views of the ice lake at Oasis.

“Our approach is to offer guests more than just luxury in an extraordinary setting,” said Aucamp. "We're enabling them to engage with Antarctica in an authentic, purposeful, and respectful way. This is travel that leaves a positive legacy."

Ultima Antarctic Logistics, the Expeditions team’s sister company, has over 20 years of experience serving the world's National Antarctic Programmes (NAPs), the science programmes of more than a dozen countries.