Jonathan Rossouw
I’m a biodiversity junkie and nothing gives me greater joy than sharing my passion for wildlife with others.
Expedition Leader Jonathan Rossouw
Jonathan Rossouw is one of the world’s most experienced expedition leaders, having spent the past 25 years guiding wildlife trips in over 150 countries on all seven continents. He combines a legendary energy and enthusiasm with a broad knowledge of natural history, gained from a lifetime spent in pursuit of the world’s mammals, birds, reptiles and coral reef fishes. Indeed, having seen over 9,000 species of birds, 1,000 mammals and 2,000 coral reef fishes, he has the dubious distinction of having experienced more species of vertebrate animals than anyone in history! A medical doctor by training, Jonathan was born and raised on South Africa’s east coast. After a “short break” from medicine to cycle across South America led to an epiphany about the conservation benefits of ecotourism, he returned to South Africa and started a birding travel company, before expanding into the world of global, conservation-focused expedition travel that now dominates his life.1
"When it comes to expedition travel, in particular, one needs to be led by a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, entertaining and confidence-inspiring professional. We have yet to meet anyone quite like Jonathan who so completely ticks all these boxes!!"
-Pat G., Durban
Jonathan's Expeditions
Philippines Diving (January 11 – 27, 2026) 
Live-aboard and resort-based exploration off the marine hotspots of the Visayas, from mega- to micro-fauna, Thresher and Whale Sharks, to sand divers and Flamboyant Cuttlefish.
Experience the very best of this marine mecca, from legendary coral reefs and Rock Islands to waterfalls, endemic birds, Micronesian culture, and WWII history.
Romania & Finland (May 8 – 23, 2026)
Romania’s Danube Delta delights birding enthusiasts. Spring in Finland offers the chance to see bears, wolves, Woverines, and lynx.
Japan's National Parks (May 31 – June 15, 2026)
Experience iconic cities, ancient customs, renowned arts, remote coastlines, and spectacular wildlife on this circumnavigation of Japan’s main island of Honshu.
Amazonian Brazil (July 24 – August 9, 2026)
Cruise deep into the heart of the Amazon from Manaus to Santarém at the peak of the annual flood, searching for rare and sought-after primates and birds.
Western Mongolia (September 21 – October 8, 2026)
Attend the Golden Eagle Festival, stay in traditional ger camps, photograph wild horses, and search for Snow Leopards in the lower-altitude Altai Mountains.
Melanesia (October 22 – November 8, 2026)
Savor Melanesia’s varied cultural traditions, enjoy spectacular snorkeling, and search for endemic wildlife on the remote outer islands of Papua New Guinea, the Solomons, and Vanuatu.
Ask Jonathan a question about his upcoming expeditions?
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Biodiversity, 'tis the Spice of Life…
The term “biological diversity” was first coined in the 1960s to describe the degree of variation of life, with its contracted form “biodiversity” only coming into general parlance by the mid-1980s. Simply stated, biodiversity is the sum total of all life on Earth, or the wealth of species, ecosystems, and ecological processes that make up our living planet. It has been argued that biodiversity has a value in and of itself, and an ability to appreciate this value may be one of the traits that makes us human.