Claudia Holgate

A native of South Africa, Claudia is an accomplished physical geographer, environmental scientist, and polar expedition leader with nearly two decades of experience in some of the world’s most remote regions. Her eclectic career began as an environmental scientist in government, followed by work with the UN, environmental consulting, and academia. She holds an MSc in Geography and Environmental Science and a postgraduate qualification in Education.
As an international expedition guide and senior polar guide, Claudia has completed more than 150 voyages across the Arctic and Antarctica, serving as Expedition Leader, lecturer, and Zodiac driver. Her expertise spans climate change, ornithology, glaciology, and marine biology. Elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, she also served as Environmental Manager for the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), supporting sustainable tourism and conservation frameworks. When not at sea, Claudia trains and mentors aspiring guides for the International Guiding Institute in South Africa.
Alongside her maritime career, Claudia is a critical care flight paramedic with 25 years of hands-on experience in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and teaches doctors and nurses advanced life support skills. Whether driving Zodiacs past glaciers, lecturing on polar ecology, or teaching wilderness lifesaving techniques, she combines scientific expertise, emergency medicine, and extensive experience exploring remote regions around the world.