Dan Peel
Professional Safari Guide & Wildlife Photographer
With over 18 years of guiding experience across Africa, my work is built around understanding wildlife behaviour, anticipating movement, and creating meaningful encounters in the field — not just sightings.
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A Different Way of Experiencing Wildlife
I didn’t start as a photographer - I started as a guide.
That foundation shapes everything I do today.
Understanding animal behaviour, reading the environment, and positioning correctly are what create truly special wildlife encounters - not luck.
Photography is simply an extension of that.
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Guiding First, Photography Second
My background is in professional guiding, working across multiple regions in Africa.
Over the years, I’ve spent thousands of hours in the field — tracking predators, learning movement patterns, and understanding how animals interact with their environment.
That experience allows me to approach each sighting with intent — positioning early, staying patient, and allowing moments to unfold naturally.
The result is not just better sightings, but far stronger photographic opportunities.
Dan leading a guided walking safari in Laikipia, Kenya
Experience That Matters
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18+ years guiding across Africa
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Former Head Guide at Laikipia Wilderness Camp
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Extensive experience tracking and working with leopards
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300+ black leopard sightings in Laikipia
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Guided safaris across Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe and beyond
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Professional wildlife photographer and workshop leader
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A Focus on Leopards
Much of my work has been centred in Laikipia, one of Africa’s most unique and productive leopard environments.
Over several years, I’ve followed individual leopards extensively — including one of the most well-known melanistic leopards in Africa.
This level of familiarity allows for a far deeper understanding of behaviour, territory, and movement — creating opportunities that are rarely possible elsewhere.
An Ethical Approach
Wildlife always comes first.
I believe in low-pressure, considered guiding — allowing animals to behave naturally without interference.
No rushing. No crowding. No forcing sightings.
This approach not only protects the animals, but consistently leads to more relaxed, authentic, and rewarding encounters.
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Beyond the Safari
When I’m not guiding, I’m usually still out in the field - exploring new areas, working on photography projects, or developing new routes across Africa.
I run Africa Off Track alongside my partner Livvy, where we design and plan safaris across the continent.
At the core of everything I do is a simple goal - to help people experience Africa in a way that feels real, considered, and genuinely memorable.
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What It’s Like in the Field
Time in the field is not rushed or structured around a checklist.
We work with what’s happening in real time — staying with sightings when behaviour is developing, and moving on when it’s not.
Positioning is everything. Often we will arrive early, wait, and let the moment come to us rather than chasing it.
There are long periods of patience — and then brief moments where everything comes together.
Throughout the safari, I work closely with you — refining positioning, reading behaviour, and helping you anticipate what might happen next.
The goal is not just to see wildlife, but to be in the right place, at the right time, ready when it matters.
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