* Greenland: Henson traveled extensively in Greenland and was one of the few non-Inuit to be accepted and respected by the indigenous people, even marrying an Inuit named Akatingwah and fathering multiple children together
* Canada's Arctic Archipelago: He also participated in explorations of Canada's Arctic Archipelago as well as Ellesmere Island, becoming an expert on Arctic survival and navigation.
* Africa: Before his Arctic exploits, Henson was part of several West African journeys with explorer Robert E. Peary and had extensive experience navigating both on land and at sea.