Wouter van Spijker

Wouter (1989) has had a passion for birds ever since he can remember. He grew up in the Netherlands where he spent most of his free time bird watching. He completed his studies at Utrecht University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences.

His first visit to South Africa was in 2012. He completed the FGASA field guide training course in the Kruger National Park, after which he was a qualified field and nature guide. He started guiding at Leopard Mountain Game Lodge in 2013, an award winning 4-star lodge in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The lodge is part of the Manyoni Game Reserve, a renowned birding destination for many South African and international birders. When the reserve became too small for him, he did the FGASA Trails training course which allows him to conduct guided walks inside big-5 areas. He then started working as Overland Guide and consequently led – guiding, driving, preparing meals, and organizing all activities for the participants - over 60 tours through 10 different countries in a time span of 7 years. He guided both English and German tours.

Since 2016 Wouter operates as a freelance bird guide. His extended experience guiding in South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, and Malawi combined with his passion for and knowledge of birds, makes him a fantastic guide. Wouter van Spijker Birding is based in Livingstone, Zambia’s tourist capital.