FACEBOOK

Justin Rhys Nicolau, born within the city limits of Johannesburg, got to experience the joys of the natural world by spending much of his youth in the African bushveld thanks to his parent’s keen interest in the outdoors. His obsession with birds and birdwatching started at a young age, as did his desire to put a name to everything he saw or found whilst out in the field. This was the gateway to his life of listing and newfound interests in both ecology and animal behaviour. Following this path into academia, he completed his BSc. in Zoology and Botany, followed by his honours degree in Biodiversity and Conservation before taking on an opportunity to tie both his work and interests together as a professional bird guide and tour leader, and hasn’t looked back since.

 
Justin has travelled extensively across Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, leading tours to numerous countries, spanning over four continents. His travels have taken him from Angola to Borneo, Antarctica to the Comoros, and Madagascar to Senegal. Justin loves compiling a spreadsheet, and in a short space of time, has used his competitive nature to work his way up various listing ladders. He has recorded over 875 species of birds in the Southern African sub-region. He has now begun etching away at his personal goals to see 2000 species on the African continent and 8000 species worldwide. His broad knowledge, enthusiasm, witty humour, patience, and meticulous attention to detail have helped him excel within the tourism industry.

Outside of leading bird tours, he currently sits on the National Rarities Committee for South Africa, is a published photographer, and avifaunal consulting specialist, and spends his free time, hiking, mountain biking, or scratching around for unique herpetofauna and rare mammals.