About DC Wild

DC Wild is a specialist photographic travel company. We offer both photo guided, non-photo guided and ‘hybrid’ safaris (photo guided for a part of your safari). We operate in & support wildlife regions where conservation is at the core and sustainable tourism is practised. Our groups are limited to a maximum of four participants, ensuring a genuinely small-group experience that maximises both the quality of the safari and the depth of photographic learning opportunities.

Danielle Carstens is the owner & founder of DC Wild and has been passionate about wildlife and wilderness for as long as she can remember. Growing up exploring the natural wonders of Southern Africa, she feels most at home far from cities, surrounded by the bush and its wildlife. From an early age, she spent time among the “big five,” observing animals and developing a deep understanding of their behaviour. Being a born and bred African, she has a deep understanding and experience of the continent’s cultures, character, and unique challenges.

After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy in 2010, Danielle turned her lifelong love of photography into a profession through various courses, including the New York Institute of Photography. She started off by freelancing as a wildlife photographer across South Africa and Botswana, before working from 2019 to 2023 as a full-time photographic guide in Botswana. During this time, she led photo safaris daily, hosted guests at luxury lodges, and collaborated with leading safari operators including Ker & Downey, Great Plains Conservation, Natural Selection, &Beyond, Wilderness, and Kwando. Danielle’s work focused on teaching wildlife photography while creating unforgettable, immersive experiences for photographers from around the world.

In 2023, Danielle founded her own photographic safari company, offering small-group, high-quality, responsible photographic safaris. She now specialises in Southern Africa as a destination, seeking out photocentric destinations that will produce the most beautiful photographic opportunities for her guests. Ethical photography and conservation are central to her approach: guests are encouraged to observe wildlife without influencing behaviour. Guided by the principle of “Capture to Conserve,” Danielle aims to make photo safaris a key contributor to sustainable tourism, ensuring that wild areas remain protected, thriving, and truly wild.

For Danielle, there is no greater privilege than witnessing a wild animal behaving naturally and capturing that moment on camera. Her safaris are designed to inspire photographers to look beyond the photo, to deepen their connection to wildlife, and to appreciate the responsibility that comes with being present in the natural world. Through her work, Danielle strives to preserve wild places, protect wildlife, and foster lasting connections between people and the wilderness.