The Sybarite is proud to present a bucket-list worthy experience where you'll get an intimate access to a magnificent penguin colony. Wildlife photographers, this is a dream come true as you might also get to witness chicks taking their first steps off their parents feet!
This luxury adventure takes you into the heart of Antarctica to see the Emperor Penguins. Then it's on to the southernmost point on earth - the South Pole!
The Experience
Your visit to the penguins begins with a 2.5-hour flightto Atka Bay. At the colony’s height in November/December, you’ll see over 14,000 breeding pairs and their newly hatched chicks - a spectacle full of noise and energy that is a favourite with wildlife watchers and photographers.
There are so few visitors to this colony that the chicks are unafraid of humans and often waddle close by. Mindful of our responsibility to the wildlife and of IAATO guidelines, our partners keep at least 5m (16.4ft) from the Penguins. Looking in every direction, all you’ll see is a vast icy expanse contrasting the penguins’ shimmering feathers.
Your arrival to Capetown
Cape Town is home to award-winning vineyards and stunning ocean vistas. It is often tipped as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Our partner will host a safety briefing the day before the flight where their staff will explain all kit requirements, assist with any last-minute preparations and update you on the latest weather forecasts in Antarctica.
Your Private Flight from South Africa to Antartica
You'll travel in uncompromising comfort across the mighty Southern Ocean on an Airbus A340 (or similar) or Private Jet. During the five-hour flight, the African night turns to day as you soar over thousands of icebergs and pass into Antarctica’s 24 hours of continuous sunshine. Destination: Wolf’s Fang Runway.
Our partners aircraft
AIRBUS A340-300
With a service range of 7.400 nautical miles, the Airbus A340-300 is ideally suited to flying long distance routes. At a cruising speed of 0.86 mach, this is highly reliable and efficient aircraft. As a result of its four engines, the A340-300 is an airplane that delivers every time. Robust, comfortable and safe, it performs exceedingly well in this environment.
The superior first class and business class cabins are spacious and elegant, ensuring absolute comfort for our guests as they journey from Cape Town to Wolf’s Fang Runway in just five hours.
GULFSTREAM G550
With a 6,750NM range the Gulfstream G550 is one of the most capable business jets in the world, and has the capacity to fly from Cape Town to Wolf’s Fang runway and back again without refuelling.
It is also fast. Traveling at 0.85 mach, we reach Antarctica in only five hours and with dozens of landings, our pilots have built up a huge amount of experience.
Both planes have wide oval windows, which offer incredible views as we fly over the icebergs of the Southern Ocean.
This is the only way to travel to Antarctica with our partner's private charters offering a luxurious and comfortable way to travel to Antarctica.
BASLER BT-67
The Basler BT-67 is a versatile and durable aircraft that is able to land on snow and ice. It has a wide cabin, extended range and is used for flying in the interior of Antarctica – most notably to the South Pole and Emperor Penguins.
Our partner has two identical aircraft and the crew are highly experienced in polar operations. Our partner's chief pilot has 10 seasons of Antarctic experience, and last year, all our groups reached the South Pole.
The Penguins
Two hours flight in a Basler BT-67 from our partner's main camp and you are at a site of more than 14,000 penguins and their young chicks. Both are totally unafraid of humans and will come within a few meters of your group, immersing you in the noise, commotion and the sheer beauty of it all. This is one of the greatest – and yet least observed – wildlife events on the planet.
Your Accommodation
Guests have the choice of our partners two different camps. Both camps are uniquely located and designed to easily be dismantled and removed, leaving no trace on the pristine environment. Guests can choose to stay at either an oasis of luxury overlooking freshwater lakes, or, where the spirit of adventure is discovered in some of the most dramatic mountain ranges on Earth.
