Maurice Hovens

An avid birder and wildlife enthusiast, Maurice his love affair with nature took off after a holiday in his early twenties to South-Africa, being blown away by its magnificent birds, wildlife and wide-open expanses of the bush. His passion for nature and true wilderness only deepened after moving to Australia, swapping the world of big mammals for the ‘small, weird and wonderful’, as he soon discovered that everything is rather different and unique in the land Down Under. 

In 2020 Maurice decided to make the great outdoors his permanent office. He completed extensive nature guide training in South Africa’s Kruger National Park and soon after started working as a tour and outdoor guide in Australia, taking guests to some of the most iconic and remote places in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.  

His experience and background not only equipped him with a deep knowledge of the natural environment and the cultural significance of the places he works in, but the daily exposure to the rich avian diversity of places like Kakadu National Park also grew his love for birding. With over 280 different bird species, wetlands teeming with crocodiles, and an incredible concentration of exquisite rock art and living Aboriginal culture, the tropical Top End of Australia holds a special place in his heart. 

Although always excited about the calls and colours of birds, his guiding experience taught him the importance to combine his role as birding guide with the ones of naturalist, interpreter of cultures, storyteller, host and trouble-shooter to deliver inspiring and transformative experiences for his guests. Maurice believes that the most complete birdwatch and nature tours are the ones where you learn while having fun, and his professional and ethical attitude combined with his boundless curiosity and laid-back personality is his own unique way to share his knowledge with you.