Who we are

Welcome to Arctic Tern Expeditions—your gateway to some of the planet’s most awe-inspiring and remote wild spaces. Founded by seasoned polar guides, we started in the high Arctic, exploring the ice-lined fjords of Svalbard. But our mission has always gone deeper than just geography. We exist to build meaningful, personal connections with nature—and with the communities who call these wild places home.

Today, our journeys extend beyond the poles. From tracking mountain gorillas in Uganda’s misty forests to gliding down the mighty Congo River and sharing stories with local communities, we now explore wild frontiers across continents. Whether you’re hiking through Arctic tundra, dancing in a Congolese riverside village, or listening for the deep call of a gorilla in Bwindi, our trips are designed to create moments that move you—and stay with you.

We don’t rush. We explore. We listen to the environment, and we adapt each day to where the experience is richest. That means small groups, flexible planning, and a deep respect for place—allowing each destination to shape our time there, not the other way around.

We charter robust, expedition-ready vessels in polar regions and partner with local experts in Africa, always prioritizing safety, sustainability, and access to places larger operators can’t reach. Our field teams are educators and conservationists at heart, offering thoughtful context to every wildlife encounter and cultural exchange.

We’re also hands-on stewards of the wild—removing plastic and debris in Arctic waters, supporting gorilla conservation efforts in Congo and Uganda, and seeking ways to reduce our footprint across every expedition.

If you believe that time in nature is precious, that travel should deepen your understanding of the world, and that wild places deserve to be protected—then you’re in the right place.

Join us. Let’s explore the extraordinary—together, slowly, and with purpose.

Fair winds and following seas.

The Arctic Tern Expeditions Team