Dennis Smith2024

Dennis was born in Maun, Botswana, in the early 1980s and grew up in Mahalapye. As a child, he spent school holidays at his family’s cattle post, where his love for nature and birds took root. Tracking animals with his grandfather and uncle sparked his deep appreciation for Botswana’s wildlife.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in conservation tourism and sustainable development from Northwest University, South Africa, in 2007. Dennis joined Wilderness Safaris in 2011, obtaining his Professional Guide License. He later became a Level 2 Trails Guide and Specialist Birding Guide through the Okavango Guiding School. In 2018, he represented Wilderness Safaris as a speaker at the Wild Shots Wildlife Photography Conference in Cape Town.

Dennis has guided across Botswana’s premier wildlife areas, including the Vumbura and Xigera concessions, Jao Reserve, Chitabe Concession, and Northern Tuli Game Reserve. In 2024, he became a Nat Hab Expedition Leader in Southern Africa.
Passionate about photography, birding, walking safaris and mokoro excursions, Dennis thrives on sharing the magic of the Okavango Delta. He is married with three children—one boy and two girls—and continues to inspire others with his expertise and love for the wild.

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.

C. Crawford

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.

W. Umberger

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!

J. Christensen