Discover A Paradise For Wildlife In The Southern Ocean
Travel to South Georgia where, in May 1916, Ernest Shackleton, along with Frank Worsley and Tom Crean, completed the first ever crossing of this mountainous, ice-covered island. So linked to South Georgia did Shackleton become that, when ‘The Boss’ died six years later, Lady Shackleton had his body returned to rest in the cemetery at Grytviken. Since the rediscovery of his ship, the Endurance, in March 2022, this story of survival against the odds is on everyone’s lips once more.
Today, South Georgia would be almost unrecognisable to Shackleton and his crew. The whaling stations that wreaked such devastation among the southern oceans are now rotting hulks and the successful eradication of non-native species – rats, mice, reindeer – means wildlife is flourishing. Colonies of king penguins at St Andrews Bay, Sailsbury Plain and Gold Harbour comfortably exceed 100,000 birds. Wandering albatross breed and fledge their chicks on the windswept grasslands of Prion Island, black sooty mantle albatross can be spotted in the cliffs and everywhere you go fur seals follow. Giant male elephant seals weighing up to four tonnes fight it out over their hareems while leopard seals and orca patrol the waters in search of an easy meal. When people want to see polar wildlife in action this is where they come.
You can only travel to South Georgia island by ship: there is no runway, and it is too far for any helicopter to reach. While there are a few dedicated South Georgia voyages, most last around three weeks and include time in the Falkland Islands as well as the Antarctic Peninsula itself. Choosing the right ship, with the right expedition team and focus of interest is the key to an unforgettable voyage, which is where our specialists come in.
For the latest travel update on this destination, please contact us to speak to one of our experts.
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VOYAGE TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
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LET THIS PHOTO JOURNAL INSPIRE YOUR JOURNEY TO THE ICE
Created by our experts as an introduction to specialist travel to the polar regions with cazenove+loyd
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It was here, at the Stromness whaling station in 1916, that Shackleton stumbled up to the door of the South Georgia Island Manager’s house after completing one of the most epic journeys in the history of exploration
South Georgia Key Features
Visit Shackleton's Grave
The last resting place of Ernest Shackleton was chosen by his wife after he passed away in 1922. Nearly 100 years later, his trusty lieutenant, Frank Wild, was laid to rest with him. All visitors raise a glass to “The Boss”.
Penguins
450,000 breeding pairs of king penguins are joined by twice as many yellow-crested macaronis and thousands of chinstraps. The sight, sound and smell of the vast colonies are a cacophony of noise and colour.
Wandering Albatross
Although their numbers have dropped in recent years, Prion Island is a haven for a small colony of wandering albatross. While parents head out on hunting missions, the chicks spread and strengthen their wings in the wind.
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We work in some of the most ecologically and culturally sensitive parts of the world, so have always been conscious of operating in a way that has a positive impact on both the environment and the people.
When you travel with us, we will make a contribution on your behalf to one of the following charities: All About the Light Foundation in Africa, ABOUTAsia Travel & Schools in Cambodia, the Alalay Foundation in Bolivia and Scott Polar Research Institute in the Polar Regions.
If clients are interested, we are always keen to get them involved in local projects and conservation efforts. Whether it be whale counting in Antarctica or rhino relocation in Kenya, you will leave knowing your actions have made a difference.
Our service includes booking and managing all your international and domestic flights. However, you can also book your own international flights if you would prefer. We can also organise private charters and private jet travel for both international and domestic flights.
We have a fantastic VIP service in place to help you navigate the airport and make your journey as smooth and easy as possible. We can collect you from your home, take you to the airport and escort you through check-in and immigration to avoid any queues, straight through to the airport lounge before boarding your flight. The same service can be put in place on your return journey.
We understand that one of the most important factors to our clients is flexibility to give you as much assurance as possible when booking your next trip. We are extremely flexible and are on hand to discuss with you the latest updates on flexibility in any one of our destinations.
We have excellent relationships with a handful of insurance companies who provide various forms of cover. Each one offers a different policy with varying terms and conditions, so we strongly recommend getting a series of quotes and discussing your personal requirements in detail with them in order to find the best one for you.
Booking and travelling with an accredited tour operator is more important than ever. cazenove+loyd is a bonded tour operator and is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Our ATOL number is 3208. This means that the UK government guarantees all funds paid out to a bonded operator and is bound to pay in full if the bond holder is unable to deliver as contracted. This gives our clients peace of mind and full financial protection. Please see our booking conditions for further information.
We have put the relevant measures in place so that our destinations are ready to welcome you safely. In all of our destinations, sanitation and hygiene in our vehicles and the properties we work with are extensive, with cleaning protocols rigidly followed as well as other necessary safety requirements. We always arrange private vehicles and guides for our clients when travelling in a destination.
The price of our service is dependent on the intricacies of the itinerary. No two trips are the same. Our philosophy is to make every detail tailored just to you.
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