Danielle Carstens

Born and raised in Africa, Danielle has cultivated an enduring love for its wildlife and landscapes since childhood. Her early experiences included camping in Botswana amidst lions and hyenas, and hiking through South Africa's indigenous forests and the remote mountains of Lesotho. Originally a physical therapist, Danielle transitioned to a career deeply connected to her lifelong commitment to conservation. She formerly chaired the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa's Lowveld division and was actively involved in projects supporting South African K9 anti-poaching units, a cause close to her heart.

Danielle's love for nature has seamlessly merged with her passion for photography, evolving her into an accomplished photographic guide. She has led safaris in famed wildlife regions such as South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Kenya, an has explored lesser-known areas like Sudan, Lesotho and Madagascar. She spent five transformative years based in Botswana, guiding in its most breathtaking locales, including Chobe, the Okavango Delta and the Central Kalahari. In 2023, she joined the Nat Hab team as a Southern Africa Expedition Leader.

With a gift for combining the technical and creative aspects of photography with a deep understanding of animal behavior, Danielle's images tell captivating stories. She has a special fondness for photographing owls, chameleons and the African jacana, a striking waterbird. She aspires for photographic safaris to become a cornerstone of sustainable tourism in Africa.

When not leading adventures, Danielle can be found somewhere close to water, swimming and enjoying the sunshine with a good book (probably about wildlife!). Her work can be viewed on social media under the handle @dcwildlifephotography.

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