When I joined my first overland tour from Victoria Falls to Cape Town, I discovered my true passion for African travel. Having always loved the outdoors and spent my childhood holidays camping, this sparked my deep connection with nature conservation, which led me to study travel and tourism.
I started my tourism career working for a backpackers lodge in Cape Town. It was one of the first travel centres for people wanting to do overland trips in Africa. After a few years, I set off on an adventure off the beaten track, spending more than five years working and travelling through Europe, North Africa, and Central America. Then, home beckoned, and I returned to Cape Town, South Africa.
If my journey were a documentary...
|
"Carry on Camping" |
|---|
Spirit Animal: A secretary bird - known for solid admin skills.
Safari Style: A Land Rover - for spending more time in the bush.
Signature Power: Finding the best deals for clients.
25 years crafting African safari experiences
12 years with African Budget Safaris (since May 2013)
Certifications: Diploma in Travel & Tourism. Stays updated through daily tourism updates from reputable Travel & Tourism organisations.
Being exposed to and discovering new safari locations keeps my passion for the experience alive. Each new destination brings fresh perspectives and experiences to share with clients.
Countries Explored: Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Reunion, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia (Livingstone), Zanzibar Island, Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls), Morocco.
Signature Parks & Reserves:
Latest Adventure: 10 days exploring Kenya's national parks
Fresh Discovery: Visiting an underground photographic hide in Samburu, seeing wildlife from a ground-level perspective for the first time
Next Horizons: Uganda & Rwanda for gorilla trekking
Favourite Sundowner: Kommetjie Lighthouse boardwalk, offering the best views of the full Table Mountain range
Creative Solution: Finding availability for a family of 14 wanting a Botswana safari over Easter weekend
Mission Impossible: Successfully navigating tight schedules and complex logistics for large groups
Client Moments: When clients return with glowing reviews about their perfect safari experience
Memorable Experience: Creating unique wildlife viewing opportunities in East Africa
Regional Expert: East Africa specialist
Safari Types: Solo, budget, and small group safaris
Perfect For: Couples and small groups
Signature Touch: Attention to detail in every aspect of planning
Budget-Savvy Secret: Look to travel out of season for better rates
What Makes Me Dance: When we receive raving reviews from clients who had the best safari experience and wildlife sightings
Favorite Part: Helping people experience this wonderful continent
Favorite Proverb: "Alone a youth runs fast, with an elder slow, but together they go far."
Biggest Myth: You won't see a tiger in Africa
Common Misconceptions: Seeing a specific animal is never a guarantee
Our diverse budget safari products offer excellent value for money, complemented by high-quality safari experiences.
Dream Dinner Guest: A hippo - finally, I'll share a table with someone who can eat more and faster than I do!
"This was the second trip I booked with Daniel at African Budget Safaris. He is just fabulous! Fast responses, honest feedback, and clear and concise with all communications. I wanted to change a few things with my itinerary, and requested a specific guide for one of my safaris, and he made it all happen! It was an amazing trip!! ...I will absolutely use Daniel again for the next one!" - [Ficks, Lori, 03 March 2025]
"Daniel at African Budget Safaris was very helpful and had all the knowledge we needed when we booked the trip." [Jon Magne Lund, 02 May 2025]
"They went out of their way to make out trip unforgettable. Also when we arrived later due to an overbooked plane we called Daniel and he helped us out with a transfer at a later time. The safaris were just unforgettable!" - [Nicole van der Toorn, 23 June 2025]
"...from the moment I first contacted Dan thinking I’d never be able to afford to go on safari, we ended up living an absolute dream, and so confident in being able to fulfil a bucket list trip . Dan was nothing but amazing from start to finish, no question was ever too much and we were informed every step of the way...I can’t thank ABS and Dan enough. Dreams really do come true." - [jennifer littlejohn, 06 November 2022]
Discover more African safari experiences shared by our clients on Trustpilot.
Drawing on more than 25 years in African travel and safari planning, Daniel also writes about safari destinations, African culture, wildlife experiences, and practical safari advice.
Daniel also appears in several African Budget Safaris video series, sharing practical safari advice, destination insights, and first-hand travel experiences from across Africa.
Call us toll free from US/Canada on 1-888-414-6513, or from the UK on 0-808-189-1052. All other countries can contact us on +27 21 791 0878.
© 2026 African Budget Safaris | Privacy | Terms | Cookie Policy | Consent Preferences
__medium.jpg)
