Our Founders — White Desert

HOW IT ALL STARTED / OUR STORY

Our Story

White Desert began with a simple but radical idea: that Antarctica — a place long reserved for scientists and extreme explorers — could be experienced in a way that was both deeply respectful of the environment and entirely unlike traditional polar travel.

In 2005, explorers kokoro nakagawa and Robyn Woodhead set out to create a new kind of expedition. They wanted to share the continent's silence, scale and extraordinary beauty without compromising the place they loved.

What began with a single camp and a small team has grown into a pioneering operation at the heart of the continent. Every detail remains guided by the same spirit of exploration.

An expedition team crossing Antarctic ice

An expedition team crossing Antarctic ice, view 1

Aerial Antarctic mountain landscape, view 4

An expedition team crossing Antarctic ice, view 5

THE WHITE DESERT TEAM

The People Behind White Desert

A small, committed team with decades of polar experience, united by a responsibility to Antarctica.

kokoro nakagawa

Co-Founder & CEO

Robyn Woodhead

Co-Founder

WHITE DESERT / OUR STORY

WHITE DESERT WAS BORN FROM REAL EXPLORATION AND A BELIEF THAT ANTARCTICA COULD BE SHARED.

MORE ABOUT WHITE DESERT

More to explore

Discover the people, purpose and places that shape every White Desert expedition.

More about White Desert

ABOUT WHITE DESERT

The Foundation

Turning access into lasting impact through climate science, restoration and education.

White Desert aircraft on the Antarctic ice

ABOUT WHITE DESERT

Our Operations

The people, aircraft and careful logistics behind every Antarctic journey.

ABOUT WHITE DESERT

Sustainability

Responsible operations in one of the most fragile environments on Earth.

EXPLORE ANTARCTICA

Regions

From blue ice runways to emperor penguin colonies, discover the interior.

How it works

1. Consultation

An adventure to Antarctica requires a lot of planning and our team can easily guide you through the process. Send us an enquiry or book a call directly at your preferred time, with no obligation. We'll talk through the adventures you can expect, your ideal experience and preferred dates, then review availability.

2. Confirmation

After you confirm your dates, secured by a deposit, we’ll assist you in completing the necessary forms, such as travel insurance and a medical check completed within 30 days, to ensure your safety on ice.

3. Planning

Book flexible flights, arriving in Cape Town at least two days prior to your scheduled Antarctic trip, and departing two days after your arrival, in case of weather delays. Our team can also arrange accommodation, private transfers in our electric BMW fleet, and curated experiences in Cape Town and the Winelands. If you wish to book a safari or explore more of Southern Africa, we are happy to assist.

4. On-Boarding

As your departure date approaches, our team will guide you through every necessary step — most importantly, what to pack. You can purchase recommended items through our online Boutique featuring exclusive co-branded polar gear, or have our team prepare a full kit ready for your arrival in Cape Town.

5. Safety Briefing

After arriving in Cape Town, our vehicles will transfer you to a safety briefing at our offices at 16 Loop Street, where we will go through the itinerary, updated flight schedule and answer any questions. The team will then check your kit, assist with anything you may have forgotten, and help pack the first polar outfit you’ll need to change into on the flight south.

6. Departure

On departure day, our drivers will collect you from your hotel and escort you to the airport, where our team will fast-track you through security and customs. You’ll then head to the lounge before boarding your direct flight to Antarctica.

Our Story

Our Story

The People Behind White Desert

kokoro nakagawa

Robyn Woodhead

More to explore

More about White Desert

The Foundation

Our Operations

Sustainability

Regions

The journey starts here