Rooted in Respect. Driven by Exploration
Our Journey North
Off the beaten track
Basecamp Explorer was founded by Svein Wilhelmsen, an entrepreneur driven by a simple but powerful philosophy: travel should create understanding, not just impressions. His journey began in Kenya, where he developed safari camps rooted in respect for nature, local culture and meaningful encounters. From the very beginning, the idea was clear – experiences should leave a positive footprint and connect guests more deeply to the places they visit.
Basecamp Explorer established its presence in Svalbard in 1999, bringing this philosophy to the High Arctic. Since day one, our approach has been innovative, pioneering and a little different. For several winters, we froze an expedition ship into the sea ice, where guests arrived by dogsled or snowmobile to experience life deep in the Arctic wilderness.
Travel leaves a footprint. Ours must be one that protects the places we love.
Today, we continue that spirit of exploration by operating two of Svalbard’s most remote wilderness outposts: Isfjord Radio Station and Nordenskiöld Lodge. Reaching and running these locations requires complex logistics, but we believe extraordinary places are worth the extra effort.
Our expeditions are designed to take guests beyond everyday life. Whether travelling by dogsled, snowmobile, boat or on foot, we want every journey to inspire curiosity, create a genuine sense of achievement and leave guests with memories that last a lifetime.
Above all, we hope every guest returns home with something more than photographs: a deeper understanding of the Arctic, a profound respect for its fragile ecosystems and a lasting connection to one of the world’s last great wildernesses.
In 2021, the Kenya and Svalbard operations went separate ways. Today, Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen continues alongside 62°Nord, creating meaningful travel experiences in remarkable places where nature, knowledge and adventure come together.