The Ultimate Antarctic Expedition
Emperors & Mountains of Dronning Maud Land
Hosted by Gerhard "Guts" Swanepoel
October / November 2026
An Unforgettable Icy Adventure to the Path Less Trodden
with Pangolin Photo co-owner Gerhard "Guts" Swanepoel
Imagine an adventure so rare and profound that fewer people have experienced it than have stood atop the highest peaks on every continent. Welcome to the Emperors and Mountains of Dronning Maud Land expedition -
a journey into the pristine, awe-inspiring heart of Antarctica.
Limited to just 16 participants, this exceptional photographic expedition offers privileged access to an untouched wilderness where every moment presents a quiet opportunity to capture extraordinary light, scale, and wildlife - from emperor penguins against endless ice to sculpted mountain ranges under polar skies.
Expertly guided by Guts, this is not only a voyage of exploration, but a chance to document a world few will ever see.
What makes this expedition truly exceptional is the way you explore once you’re there: using Twin Otter ski aircraft to range out across the ice in small, highly flexible groups, you can follow weather windows and light, hop between vantage points and reach remote emperor penguin colonies and sculpted ice formations that ships and larger aircraft simply cannot access.
These nimble workhorses of the polar world become your airborne safari vehicles, opening up ever‑changing photo opportunities - from low, circling passes over vast ice fields to landings close enough for unhurried, on‑foot photography sessions in pristine, crowd‑free settings.
Combined with expert photographic guidance and polar specialists, this is a rare chance to treat Antarctica like the ultimate private photo studio, with Twin Otters whisking you to where the action and the best photo opportunities lie.
A Glimpse of Your Itinerary
Our journey begins with a transcontinental flight from Cape Town to Novo Runway,
carrying you deep into the remote expanse of Antarctica.
We cross continents aboard the legendary Ilyushin 76-TD90 - An aircraft synonymous with polar exploration.
The journey itself offers a rare perspective from the air, where vast ice fields, crevasses, and
mountain ridges unfold beneath you.
On arrival, you’ll transfer to the warm and welcoming Oasis Camp, located at the eastern edge of the Schirmacher Oasis - a striking ice-free landscape that provides your first intimate encounters with Antarctica’s textures, contrasts, and ever-changing polar light.
Expedition Days: Dronning Maud Land
These days are devoted to our expedition’s highlights, each offering incredible
photographic possibilities. We’ll fly to the Astrid and Lazarev Emperor Penguin Colonies to capture intimate
portraits of emperor penguins against pristine ice backdrops.
Excursions to the Drygalski Mountains bring you face-to-face with the towering Ulvetanna and Holtanna Peaks -
dramatic landscapes perfect for wide-angle and panoramic shots.
Closer to Oasis Camp, explore stunning ice formations and enjoy hikes or fat-bike rides,
each presenting unique angles to capture textures, reflections, and the interplay of light on snow and rock.
Evenings offer a different kind of photography: the warm glow of camp life over fine wine and cuisine,
or the atmospheric steam of a traditional banya (sauna).
Please Note: All flights, and therefore some photo opportunities, remain subject to the variable weather conditions of Dronning Maud Land. A flexible attitude and mindset are essential on this trip!
What You'll Experience
Majestic Emperor Penguins
In November, witness Emperor Penguin chicks still in their endearing “biggles suits,” steadily gaining size as they emerge from the long, dark Antarctic winter. We plan quiet observations at both the Astrid and Lazarev Emperor Penguin colonies, offering exceptional opportunities to capture beautiful images. As summer approaches, the days lengthen, and the sea ice breeding ground begins to retreat, providing ever-changing light and landscapes for photography.
Unique Activities & Comforts at Oasis Camp
Beyond the major expeditions, enjoy invigorating hikes and exciting fat-bike rides near Oasis Camp. Evenings bring fine cuisine paired with an excellent selection of South African wines, the unique experience of a traditional banya (sauna), and Starlink internet to stay connected with friends and family - all while capturing the warm glow of polar evenings.
Your Comfortable Antarctic Base: Oasis Camp
During your expedition, you will stay at the Oasis Camp, located at the eastern end of the Schirmacher Oasis, right on the edge of the Antarctic continent. This comfortable base offers: super-comfortable en-suite rooms, a relaxing sauna, delicious cuisine (all dietary requirements catered for throughout), an excellent range of South African wines, and Starlink
Internet to stay in touch with friends & family.
Spectacular Antarctic Mountains
Our second major objective takes us on a breathtaking flight southwest in a ski-equipped Twin Otter to the
mountains fringing the Fenristunga (Wolf’s Tongue Glacier). Prepare to be awestruck by:
- Ulvetanna’s sheer north face, rising some 4,500 feet from the ice
- Holtanna’s west face, illuminated by the late evening light.
- We will land at several locations around these impressive peaks, allowing you to capture stunning images
- You’ll explore parts of the Drygalski Mountains - a photographer’s dream for wide-angle landscapes and panoramic shots.
Incredible Ice Features
Closer to Oasis Camp, discover extraordinary ice formations, including:
An amazing neon-blue ice tunnel within the Lazarev Ice Shelf, right on the edge of the Antarctic continent.
An impressive ice wall, just a 45-minute drive across the ice plateau from Oasis Camp.
Each location offers unique angles and textures for capturing Antarctica’s dramatic and ever-changing light.
The Price
Cost: USD61,000 per person
What's Included
⊛ Return flights between Cape Town and Dronning Maud Land in the Illyushin 76-TD90.
⊛ Airport transfers in Cape Town.
⊛ All internal Twin Otter flights to the Emperor colonies and Drygalski Mountains.
⊛ All internal transfers in Antarctica.
⊛ All meals and drinks during the expedition.
⊛ Accommodation in Antarctica at the Oasis Camp.
⊛ Expert guides throughout your journey.
⊛ Starlink internet access at Oasis Camp.
⊛ Special clothing and equipment, including a range of specialised warm-weather outer layers and boots that can be loaned for the duration of your expedition, saving you from purchasing and travelling with bulky items.
What's not included
⊛ Travel to and from Cape Town
(Flexible flights are recommended, and arrival in Cape Town three days in advance to conduct mandatory briefings and issue specialist clothing and equipment for your adventure.)
⊛ Any additional costs incurred due to changes to flights beyond our control, particularly weather delays.
⊛ Evacuation and medical treatment costs.
⊛ Insurance (travel & medical insurance is mandatory for this expedition).
⊛ Meals and accommodation in Cape Town.
⊛ Satellite phone use in Antarctica.