Sicklebill Safaris, the driving force behind Birder Travel, stands as a boutique, family-run powerhouse redefining ethical birding adventures. Based in North Queensland, Australia, the company curates soul-stirring journeys that celebrate not only birds and wildlife but also the untamed beauty of diverse cultures.
From Australia’s lush rainforests to the remote corners of Papua New Guinea, the Pacific Islands, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, Sicklebill Safaris takes travellers far beyond the ordinary. Every itinerary is handcrafted — tailored to your passions, your rhythm, and your dream sightings.
Guided by an unyielding commitment to sustainability and ethical travel, Sicklebill Safaris doesn’t simply show you nature — it invites you to belong within it. Each expedition transcends tourism; it becomes a profound transformation, feathered with wonder and meaning.
At the Global Wildlife Fair 2025, in an exclusive conversation with The Interview World, Rowan Gregory, Director of Sicklebill Safaris, shared deep insights into his company’s core services and the unique experiences it offers to travellers. He reflected on nature’s profound influence on human life, emphasized the organization’s mission to preserve Australia’s natural and cultural heritage, and offered thoughtful advice to aspiring professionals in the tourism industry.
Here are the key takeaways from his compelling discussion.
Q: Could you provide an overview of Sicklebill Safaris and describe the main services they provide to clients?
A: We design and lead immersive birding, wildlife, cultural, and photography tours — not just fixed itineraries, but tailor-made journeys crafted around what travellers most want to see and where they dream of seeing it. Our expertise spans Australia, Papua New Guinea, Japan, and the broader Asia-Pacific region. In addition, we operate select expeditions across Africa and are now expanding our reach into the Middle East.
New Guinea remains one of our signature destinations, where we conduct numerous tours and draw on decades of field experience. Our team has also authored authoritative books on both New Guinea and Australia, deepening our reputation as experts in these regions. So when we say we can take you exactly where the rare birds sing — and show you what few others can — we speak from hard-earned knowledge and genuine passion.
Q: What kinds of diverse experiences can one expect from your organization?
A: We specialize in intimate, small-group safaris — ideally between four and six travellers. We intentionally keep our groups small because larger numbers can dilute the experience. In many of the remote areas we visit, wildlife tends to be wary; birds, in particular, are quick to retreat from large gatherings of people, especially in regions where they are traditionally hunted. With more than six participants, some travellers might miss the very encounters they came for.
By limiting our groups, we ensure a quieter, more respectful presence in nature — one that allows for richer sightings, deeper connection, and a truly personalized experience for every guest.
Q: How do you perceive the role of nature in shaping the evolution of human life?
A: Nature is — and must remain — at the heart of everything we do. Without it, we have nothing. It has existed long before humanity and must continue to exist long after us. Nature defines who we are; it sustains every breath we take. Think about it — without trees, there is no air; without animals and bees, there is no balance. Every element plays a vital role in the web of life.
That’s why protecting nature isn’t optional — it’s essential, especially in modern tourism. True travel today must contribute to conservation. Through our tours, we intentionally visit regions where, without visitors, forests face a real risk of being lost to logging. By bringing travellers to these areas, we help demonstrate to local communities that the forests hold greater value standing than felled.
Tourism, when done ethically, becomes a lifeline. It generates income for villages while preserving the land and its wildlife. We encourage local people to see their forests not just as resources to harvest, but as living ecosystems that sustain their culture, livelihoods, and the planet itself. Once the trees fall, the wildlife disappears — and with it, a way of life. Protecting nature is, in the truest sense, protecting ourselves.
Q: Since animals, nature, and culture are closely interwoven, what steps do you take to preserve the traditions of your homeland?
A: We encourage local communities to keep their traditions alive. When we visit, we meet them on their land, within their villages and tribes, where culture still breathes through every story and song. Our presence inspires them to reconnect with their legends, revive ancestral practices, and share those stories with pride.
Through our tours, visitors witness far more than performances — they experience living heritage. In New Guinea, for instance, travellers see people adorned in vibrant paints, elaborate headdresses, and magnificent feathers, each symbolizing deep cultural meaning. Yet these feathers — and the birds they come from — depend on the survival of the forests. If the trees fall, so too do the birds, and with them, a vital part of the culture.
Ultimately, the forests and their wildlife remain inseparable from daily life in these communities. By protecting nature, we help preserve not only the environment but also the traditions, identity, and spirit of the people who call it home.
Q: For those aspiring to build a career in the tourism industry, what guidance would you offer?
A: Start early. Cultivate curiosity while you’re young — read, explore, and immerse yourself in nature while you still can. The world is changing every day, and the best time to begin is now, not tomorrow. Take that first step. Go outside with your children. Let them see the living beauty around them.
Even a simple walk through a park, pausing to watch the birds, can spark a lifelong fascination. The earlier we nurture that connection, the stronger it grows. Children who learn to love nature today are far more likely to protect it tomorrow. In doing so, they not only safeguard the planet for themselves but also ensure that future generations inherit a world still rich with life.
