Daniel Blankenheim 2022
Daniel grew up in one of the largest industrial areas in Europe, the Ruhr in Germany. While this may seem like an unlikely place to become a nature lover, he bonded with animals during frequent visits to a small farm. The beautiful moments he experienced with the resident sheep, chickens and rabbits are a part of why he chose to study landscape ecology at university. After graduation, Daniel traveled around New Zealand for a year, fulfilling a dream he had since the release of the Lord of the Rings films. He swam with wild dolphins, came across penguins and spotted his favorite animal, orcas, from shore. These wildlife encounters taught Daniel that the will to conserve nature comes from a transformed heart, fostering his desire to seek out moments of connection to nature and help others do the same. Daniel returned to Europe to attain a master's degree in wildlife ecology and management in Vienna and traveled to northern Greece for his thesis on brown bears and human-wildlife conflict.
Daniel's first guiding experience resulted from his understanding that one must touch peoples' souls to protect nature. He found fulfilling work educating fellow nature enthusiasts at an ecolodge in Thailand. Continuing to broaden his horizons, he ventured to some of the world's remotest places in search of raw wilderness to inspire him. In 2019, he canoed the Hard River in the Yukon for 40 days, where he witnessed the aurora borealis in the vast skies of the Far North as wolves howled in the distance. He also traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for a research project on habituating wild bonobos. Daniel feels his most alive in wild places and a part of something bigger than himself. He is passionate about connecting people to nature to help them feel their most alive, and this is precisely the philosophy Daniel found at Natural Habitat Adventures.
A certified Paddlesport Leader, Daniel views kayaking as one of the best ways to connect with nature. He spent five days navigating the rough seas of Marlborough Sound in New Zealand, encountering dolphins and seals along the way. His next excursion took him to New Zealand's Abel Tasman National Park. These trips ignited Daniel's love for paddle sports. He continued to find serenity while paddling through the wilderness: in Thailand, he led day trips through mangrove forests in search of wildlife, and in the Canadian North, he canoed through Class III whitewater rapids. In the DRC, he used a traditional dugout canoe called a pirogue to navigate waterways and even go hippo-spotting! Daniel refined his paddling skills in England's Lake District and the rough seas around the Isle of Portland in the South of England. The heavy winds and high waves he experienced as a part of his Paddlesport Leader certification more than adequately prepared him for the much calmer conditions experienced in Portugal.
Daniel hopes to inspire and be inspired by a diverse group of people with one thing in common: a love for nature. He enjoys reading, writing, watching movies and the greatest game of all—European football—among other sports.
What Our Guests Say
There isn't enough space to explain what a truly superlative job Daniel did! No matter the situation or location, he was cheerful, energetic, and able to help and provide info. His breadth of knowledge and true love for the plants and landscapes of Iceland came through in everything he said, and his passion for travel, adventure, wildlife and conservation shone for us the entire trip. Throughout the trip, Daniel checked in with each of us numerous times to confirm we were having fun and to address any concerns we might have. The trip was great, because Iceland is great, but Daniel took something great and made it AMAZING.
Daniel is an exceptional leader. His knowledge about the geology, plant and animal life, history and Iceland itself is extensive. More than that, he has the ability to connect with all the tour participants, listens to and appreciates their needs, and works very hard to maximize each traveler's experience. He is extremely kind and attends to all the details both large and small that help make a trip special. He works very well with the local guides. Overall, the trip was exceptional both due to the fascinating country of Iceland, but also to Daniel's excellent leadership.
Daniel is an outstanding guide. He is personable, cheerful, courteous and service-oriented. He takes every task seriously and thoughtfully and offered helpful suggestions throughout our trip. I have 17 National Geographic Expeditions and 3 Nat Hab adventures under my belt, and Daniel ranks right up there with the best Expedition Leaders from both outfits. He is a wonderful representative for Nat Hab!
Upcoming Adventures with Daniel Blankenheim
Paddling Portugal's River of Wine
Savor the best of Old World European ambience on this exclusive luxury adventure—mellow paddling on the Douro River, complemented by family hospitality at the valley's finest wine estates.
