About
Founders
How it all
started
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. The company’s origins trace back to years of expeditionary work in some of the continent’s most remote regions, where the promise of sharing this extraordinary landscape with others first took shape.
What started as a small, ambitious venture operating from just a handful of tents has grown into a world-leading Antarctic enterprise that welcomes guests into the interior while supporting scientific research and protecting the fragile environment that makes the continent so unique. From the outset, the mission was clear: to open the door to Antarctica responsibly, blending logistical precision with a level of comfort previously unheard of on the ice.
The story of White Desert is the story of the people who believed it could be done.
We found the interior surreal and inspiring and felt others should experience this breath-taking place in luxury and, hopefully, be changed in the most positive way. It also had to be environmentally sound; with 24 hours of sunshine and the relentless wind, solar and wind power were obvious choices from the outset.
Patrick Woodhead
Polar Explorer
Our
Founders
White Desert was born from real exploration and a belief that Antarctica could be shared.
Patrick Woodhead
Co-Founder & CEO
Patrick’s journey into the heart of Antarctica began with record-breaking expeditions, including being part of the youngest and fastest team to reach the South Pole in 2002, and leading the first East-to-West traverse of the continent — 1,850km in just 75 days. It was during these expeditions, often in the most remote and forbidding conditions, that Patrick dreamt of bringing people safely and luxuriously into Antarctica’s interior.
That vision became reality in 2005 when, alongside his then-wife Robyn, he founded White Desert with nothing more than three small tents, a loan, and an unwavering sense of ambition.
Today, White Desert operates three luxury camps, three aircraft, and supports over 130 staff, while also assisting research teams from eight nations — a multi-award-winning venture that has redefined Antarctic exploration.
Patrick’s exploits extend far beyond the Pole: from summiting the most remote and isolated mountain peaks in Tibet and Kyrgyzstan to kayaking through the Amazon tributaries and setting speed records across Greenland and the Atlantic Ocean.
Author of four bestselling books in 11 languages, an enthusiastic though self-described amateur pilot, and a lover of South Africa’s hidden landscapes, Patrick channels the same spirit of curiosity, courage, and adventure into every aspect of White Desert.
Yet above all, he takes pride in his family: his two children, Electra and Oscar, already intrepid explorers themselves, and his loyal dog Aslan, a fixture in his office.
Robyn Woodhead
Co-Founder
While no longer involved with White Desert, Robyn’s vision and determination were instrumental in establishing the company. As co-founder, she helped turn the original dream of a comfortable interior camp into one of the world’s most exclusive Antarctic experiences. Her focus on guest experience, attention to detail, and understanding of the delicate polar environment shaped the ethos of White Desert and laid the foundations for its success.
During her tenure, Robyn championed responsible polar travel as a board member of IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators), the organisation dedicated to promoting safe, environmentally responsible, and sustainable tourism in Antarctica.
