Guides
Guides Ian McKerrow, Mike Jarvis and Ian Morris are passionate about the environment, local birdlife, wildlife and habitat as well as Indigenous culture and NT history and heritage.
Ian McKerrow is the new owner (2022) and operator of Experience the Wild. He has been interested in the natural world since primary school when an injured pigeon appeared in his life. 1 rescued bird became many, and then many species, until finally, a decade later, the weight of public opinion shut down the urban menagerie. After that, Ian went to the birds, via 4 wheel driving, hiking and camping.
Ian’s working life has seen him transition through a variety of careers that, in one way or another, revolved mostly around travel and hospitality. From Leader and Camp Director of Lord Mayor’s Children’s Camps and Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital Diabeties Camps, to hotel management including Duty Manager at the Windsor Hotel (Melbourne) and later a 5 star, 93% rated, AirBnB Superhost on Victoria’s Surf Coast. Side gigs included tour guide for visiting dignitaries to the City of Melbourne and Stage & FOH Manager at the Athenaeum Theatre. Ian’s attention is focused on guest experience, safety and service.
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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 hand 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 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.
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 Kimberley Naturalist Tour.
See Ian's Wildlife Information pages.
Our Accreditations
- Kakadu Tour Operator License - Permit No CK 998
- Kakadu Knowledge for Tour Guides - SITTGDE009A Interpret Aspects of Local Australian Indigenous Culture
- Avi-tourism RTD2126A Recognise Animals, SITTIND001A Develop and Update Tourism Industry Knowledge, SITXOHS001B Follow Health Safety and Security Procedures
- Parks and Wildlife NT Tour Operator License - Permit No 956
- Tour Vehicle License - No 3230 - Vehicle Reg. TV53E
- Commercial Passenger Vehicle Operator's Accreditation- No 3503
- 'h' endorsement on drivers license
- First Aid - HLTAID001 CPR, HLTAID002 Basic Emergency Life Support, HLTAID003 Provide First Aid
- Certificate of Registration as a Food Business - Reg No 04875DU
- Certificate IV Tourism (Guiding) NT - SIT40107
- Member of Wildlife Tourism Australia
- Fully Insured
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