Dennis Smith2024
Dennis was born in the early 1980s in Maun, a town on the edge of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Growing up in one of Africa’s most wildlife-rich regions, he developed an early fascination with the natural world. In high school, he began experimenting with photography, capturing daily life with a film camera—an interest that soon evolved into a lifelong passion for documenting wildlife.
Over the years, Smith has cultivated deep technical expertise and artistic vision in the field of wildlife photography. Since 2011, he has worked professionally in the safari industry, where his skills as both a guide and a visual storyteller have continued to grow. His extensive field experience and commitment to excellence have made him a respected figure among fellow photographers and conservation travelers.
Smith has photographed some of Africa’s most elusive species, including African wild dogs, sitatungas, aardvarks and rhinos. His work earned third place in Botswana’s Cameras for Conservation competition in 2017, and he has contributed to Into Africa, a regional conservation magazine based in Cape Town, South Africa.
He has explored a wide range of Southern African ecosystems and has led photographic journeys throughout Botswana. Smith lives in Maun and spends his time in the bush, continually refining his craft and sharing the richness of Africa’s wild places with others.
What Our Guests Say
Dennis was incredible! His knowledge of African wildlife is deep and wide and he filled every moment with fascinating and pertinent information about the animals and their behaviors. His ability to predict wildlife actions was nothing short of extraordinary. Dennis didn’t just identify species; he provided deep insights into animal behaviors and explained why they acted the way they did. His detailed knowledge of the wildlife and natural history of the Delta was both educational and engaging. It is evident that he has a profound love for wildlife and his country, which shone through in every explanation and story. When we weren't out on safari, Dennis's infectious smile and laugh made him a joy to be around. He created a fun and relaxed atmosphere, making the experience enjoyable for all the guests. Thank you, Dennis, for making this safari an unforgettable adventure.
Dennis was next level. Conscientious does not even to cover it! He made it his mission to make sure we got 'bang for our buck' while constantly reading us to make sure he was giving us what we needed from this trip. Dennis knows how to graciously transition guests from Point A to Point B in a way that loses no time and keeps the schedule on track. He is a master at it and I appreciate such fluid efficiency. He has a deep understanding of animal behavior and accurately predicted what an animal would do next, which meant he knew when to follow an animal to see something exciting or when to move on. He always positioned the vehicle for the best lighting and best angles of our subjects. Even while constantly reading animal tracks, sweeping the landscape for birds and animals, and keeping guests clear of potentially harmful branches as we rode, Dennis unfailing sensed when I wanted to stop for something or had a question. He also has a wonderful sense of humor, which is really important to me. Dennis's pride for Africa is contagious and I learned so much and came away with a deeper appreciation for everything I had experienced.
Dennis had amazing animal-spotting ability and a deep knowledge about all the wildlife we encountered. We peppered him with hundreds of questions and he always knew the answers and enriched our entire experience. We feel so lucky to have had him as a guide!
