George Armistead

Founder & Guide

George Armistead, a birder since the age of nine years old, has a long history in connecting people with nature through guided trips and expedition travel. Leading field trips since his teenage years, he began guiding tours professionally in 2002. After 20 years of developing and guiding tours to countries across all seven continents, he formed Hillstar Nature with the goal of bringing together a team who can provide fulfilling and authentic wildlife experiences. George has authored two books on birds including Better Birding: Tips, Tools, and Concepts for the Field (2015, Princeton University Press) and The ABA Field Guide to the Birds of Pennsylvania (2016, Scott & Nix, Inc.). He received a masters degree in environmental studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and is an associate at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, where he spent seven years helping to curate the photographic and specimen collections. Today he lectures on birds, co-hosts Lifelist: A Birding Podcast, is a board member of the American Birding Association, and guides tours across the globe. When not traveling George enjoys birding at home, is an avid fan of Philadelphia sports, and loves spending time with his wife Kristin and their golden retriever.

Follow George on Instagram

See George on The Birder's Show


What you're saying about Hillstar Nature....

The Tigers were amazing! I never thought we'd see them so well and experience them so intimately. Same with the Lions. George made sure that everyone was well taken care-of, and the co-leaders were great...The accommodations were great and the food, delicious."
- Jean P. from California, India 2024

Upcoming tours with George

Tanzania - The Endless Plains & The Crater - March to April 2025

The Pribilofs: St. Paul Island - June 2025

Portugal: Iberian Specials of the Sunny South - September to October 2025

India - The Ghats & The Deccan Plateau - December 2025

Panama: The Canal Zone - February 2026

India: Safari Assam - March 2026