Get Antarctica off your Bucket list Now!

By Alifiya Calcuttawala


To go boldly where no man has gone before!
If you are a Trekkie then this statement probably brings the same shiver of anticipation and
excitement down your spine that it did all those many years ago watching Captain Kirk explore
new galaxies on TV.
To embark on your own personal adventure, both inwards and to the last truly unexplored
continent, Antarctica.


Where the land lies under many feet of ice, huge glacial mountains reach for the sky, penguins,
sea lions and whales cavort in the icy cold sea, untouched by commercial tourism, and without
busloads of tourists jabbering in every language known to man. Antarctica.
Head off on your own Columbus-like exploration, brave cold winds, sea swells and rubber
dinghies, to make landfall. Antarctica.

Explore long forgotten whaling houses, abandoned science camps watch the only place on
earth where the countries of the world work with everyone else, in a spirit of togetherness.
If adventure is your thing, you crave solitude and enjoy the journey just as much as the
destination then Antarctica should have been on your bucket list.

But it is now time to take it off the list and move to experience the adventure of a lifetime.
This physically demanding trip requires a higher level of fitness than your usual run of the mill
cruise or holiday. Drills to help you in emergencies form part of your daily routine.
Unpredictable wind conditions coupled with the icy cold seas make it more of an extreme
adrenaline pumping adventure than a pleasure cruise. Physically demanding conditions,
temperatures below freezing, choppy and stormy seas just add to the allure of the journey.


The Antarctica adventure begins from the minute you board the ship. The icebreaker ship,
will be your home for the whole trip, making excursions aboard the all-weather Zodiac
to the last unexplored continent. Evenings will be spent learning more about the place you’re about to visit, watching movies, documentaries and listening to biologists share their knowledge with you!
Starting your journey through the scenic Beagle Channel, heading for the open South Atlantic
Ocean. You will cross the Tierra del Fuego or the Land of Fire before heading South on your
way to Antarctica.


Going through the Drake Passage, the South Shetland Islands come into view, moving between
Greenwich and Livingstone islands through Macfarlane Strait, landing on Half Moon Island
where the Argentinian Camara station is located, marking your first step on Antarctica!

Be prepared to be surprised by the Gentoo penguins and their babies, and fur seals
That will be the first of three or four landings across the whole trip. Imagine that! Going into
territories that were available only to explorers of old, men and women who took adventure to
the next level, with belief in their hearts, charting their course with the help of the stars to lands
they only saw with their eyes closed.

The whole idea of knocking this off your bucket list early is basically to make this entire trip
when you are resilient to deal with the vagaries of the weather, strong enough to acclimatise to
the biting cold and have enough chutzpah to give your friends FOMO.
The trip is said to be soul changing, and puts you in touch with yourself. If that is true, and it is,
wouldn’t you benefit from life changing experiences earlier in the day rather than later?
Finally, let’s face facts, if you don’t experience this fantastic journey now, then when…
because ultimately You Only Live Once!!

Check out our latest Antarctica Expedition.

Insiders view on Zanzibar

The Wanderers in conversation with Niall Anderson

Everything the guide books or tourism websites won’t tell you about the place.

One little known fact/trivia that everyone should know about when travelling to Zanzibar?

Zanzibar is home to the most endangered antelope in Africa – Ader’s Duiker.

They number less than 500 on the planet, and can be found in Jozani Forest and on Mnemba Island.

What is a must buy when in Zanzibar?

Kikois – the traditional and colourful, Zanzibari multi-purpose item of clothing that can be worn as a wrap, a scarf, head dress, or used simply as a blanket or throw.

One take-away after a visit to Zanzibar..

You will never see whiter sand or an ocean so turquoise blue!

What is your advice to first time travellers?

Bring lots of sunscreen!

One thing to definitely pack when travelling to…

Swimming costume…

One activity anyone travelling to Zanzibar should not miss!

A sunset Dhow cruise across the ocean.

Where should anyone, travelling to Zanzibar, definitely get their picture taken?

On a local Dhow sailing across the ocean

On the beach at Mnemba Island

Under water on the Mnemba house reef

Which is the best place to get a panoramic photo?

The best place to get a panoramic photo is off a local Dhow sailing in the ocean, looking back at Zanzibar or Mnemba Island.

Best place to enjoy sunset/sunrise?

Sipping a cocktail on the beach at Mnemba Island!

Most romantic place to take a special someone to.

Mnemba Island – your private island!

Best place in Zanzibar to have local food?

Foradhani garden in Stone Town

Your favourite local dish and drink that you would recommend?

Zanzibar Curry and a dawa!

A local cocktail made of vodka, lime and honey, ‘dawa’ means medicine, or poison in Swahili – Depends how much you drink!

One place only the locals would know.

Jozani Forest!

Zanzibar’s only national park, search for rare birds, Red Colobus monkey, Ader’s Duiker and Suni here.

The best pub and best place to catch up for a drink?

Sundowners with live music at Livingstone, or on the roof at Maru Maru hotel, both in Stone Town.

A local festival you feel more travellers should come and see?

Sauti Busara, an annual African music festival, which takes place in historic Stone Town, attracting artists from all over the world. It had been dubbed the ‘friendliest festival on the planet’.

The things guide books will not tell anyone about Zanzibar?

The best samosas and biryani in East Africa can be bought at Passing Show, a local restaurant near Zanzibar port in Stone Town.

Is there any particular month you would not recommend travel to Zanzibar and what would that reason be?

April & May, as this is the rainy season in Zanzibar

In one sentence, Zanzibar is the exotic spice island.

Niall Anderson is the Regional Director for Tanzania with &Beyond, which he joined six years ago. Settled in Arusha, Niall takes on exciting challenges in leading teams around Tanzania.

Check out our package on Tanzania