Our Story

Danielle Carstens 2023

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).

What's in My Camera Bag

My Packing Philosophy

I choose to travel light due to the strict weight limit on charter flights across Africa - 2 cameras and 2 lenses maximum. One of the lenses should definitely be a zoom lens for versatility.

I am fortunate to have experience using a wide range of gear from different brands. Since I also teach photography to guests using various brands, I’ve developed a solid understanding of equipment across the board.

Camera
Canon R6 Mark II

Lenses
Canon 50mm f/1.8
Canon 100-500mm f/4.5 - f/7.1
Canon 500mm f/4

Upcoming Adventures with Danielle Carstens

Our Story

Our Trips

Polar Bear Tours

African Safaris

A sea lion swims near the photographer underwater in the Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Tours

Alaska Adventures

U.S. National Parks Tours

Canada & the North

Europe Adventures

Mexico & Central America Tours

South America Adventures

Asia & Pacific Adventures

A close-up of two king penguins on South Georgia Island

Antarctica & Arctic Journeys

Photo Expeditions

Adventure Cruises

Women's Adventures

Family Adventures

New Adventures

Questions? Call 800-543-8917

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Hours
Mountain Time

  • 8 am to 5 pm, Monday - Friday

  • 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday

  • Closed on Sunday

Call 800-543-8917
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