Guides

Guides Mike Jarvis, Ian Morris and Diana Lambert are passionate about the environment, local birdlife, wildlife and habitat as well as Indigenous culture and NT history and heritage.

Mike Jarvis and guests at a wilderness location in Kakadu (photo copyright Ian Morris)

Mike Jarvis has been a nature enthusiast from earliest memories. At sixteen he found a copy of Neville Cayey’s ‘What Bird is That?’ in a second and bookshop and began his study of Australian birds. Having lived in Perth, Geraldton and Carnarvon on the west coast Mike was familiar with the flora and fauna in those areas. On visiting Darwin for the first time, Mike was amazed to find the bush alive with new sounds and unfamiliar trees, and took to the task of identifying them, building up a working knowledge of the bird species, their calls, and plants, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. Mike and his wife Jenny are Wildcare volunteers and care for injured and orphaned wildlife, mainly birds and reptiles, and Mike has had training in handling dangerous wildlife (venomous snakes). With decades of research, observation and wildlife experiences behind him, he enjoys the privilege of sharing this with others by leading tours to wild places in Darwin and the Top End.

Mike has completed Certificate IV Tourism (Guiding) which was a comprehensive immersion in flora, fauna, geology, history and culture of the Top End, with an emphasis on minimal impact on the environment, respect for Indigenous culture and duty of care for the guest.

Jenny Jarvis occasionally comes out on tour with us but is usually working hard behind the scenes to make sure the administration side of things comes together seamlessly.

Ian Morris Pitta nest at Riyala (photo copyright Ian Morris)

Ian Morris is a biologist, educator, conservationist, author of ‘Kakadu National Park’, co-author of several other books including ‘A Natural History and Field Guide to Australia’s Top End’ and one of Australia's most acclaimed naturalists. He has worked with Aboriginal Traditional Owners of the Arnhem Land region for decades, and was involved in forming Kakadu National Park.

Ian promotes the magic of the bush as an NT based environmental consultant for many national parks in Australia. He greatly values his continued connection with his Indigenous mates across the north. Ian has an amazing knowledge, understanding and rapport with all creatures, great and small, dangerous and harmless (and humans as well) and joins Mike on the Kakadu Naturalists Tour and the Kakadu in the Wet!! tours.

Diana checking out birdlife on the rocks at East Point (photo copyright Mike Jarvis)

Diana Lambert grew up in rural outskirts of Brisbane, surrounded by nature and influenced by parents who were both passionate and well informed about the natural environment. Unsurprisingly she has became a naturalist, birder, educator and guide and has led eco-tours in New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Diana has participated in various volunteer projects including turtle monitoring in Queensland, land revegatation for Helmeted Honeyeater in Victoria, seabird rescue along the Tweed Coast, NSW and monitoring Southern Right Whales at the head of the Great Australian Bight. She is currently serving as secretary for the NT Field Naturalist's Club and is secretary for Friends of East Point Reserve.

Some of Diana's formal qualifications are Diploma of Life Coaching, Diploma of Environmental Sustainability, Masters of Natural Resource Studies (Environmental Tourism), Batchelor of Education (Humanistic Psychology), Graduate Diploma in Outdoor Education (Group Facilitation Skills).

Mike, Ian and Diana understand that holidays don’t come around very often and are aware that their guests have worked very hard to have a holiday. This drives them to ensure every day out for every guest is memorable, fun, educational and exceeds expectations. With a maximum capacity of 6 passengers in our fully-equipped air-conditioned 4WD you are assured a personalised guided experience.

Accreditations

Kakadu Tour Operator License
Kakadu Knowledge for Tour Guides
Parks and Wildlife NT Tour Operator License
Australian Tourism Accreditation Program
Certificate IV Tourism (Guiding) NT
Member of Wildlife Tourism Australia