Being wild is in our DNA,

and it is in yours!

Our team comprises individuals of various backgrounds, but we all share a passion for African Travel, so much so that we believe it is in our DNA. Our strengths and experiences as children of Africa allow us to create genuinely memorable, bespoke experiences.

Sharleen Landsman Smith

Founder / Owner

Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. Sharleen grew up close to many of South Africa's top safari destinations. Naturally, she spent many family holidays in the bush. After completing her studies, she joined Wilderness Safaris and then & Beyond, where her budding talent for travel was nurtured, and her passion for Africa grew. Sharleen has visited many of the top lodges in Africa and has been fortunate to experience the best of the continent firsthand.  

In 2006 she moved to the United States to work in Sales promoting African Travel. Since moving to the states, she has broadened her travel expertise to include Asian and South American destinations.  

Her 26+ years in the industry include founding her consulting firm and DNA wild DMC. Sharleen has mentored numerous consultants in African Travel. As a servant in African travel, her superpower is her ability to navigate complicated logistics whilst injecting her creative flair. 

Lianke Holtzhausen

Operations Manager

The safari bug bit me in 2018. In July 2018, I started working for a Travel DMC company as a “file controller” and a few months later I was promoted to a junior consultant. Since then, I have worked and planned safaris around Southern Africa. In 2019, I started expanding my knowledge to East Africa. In 2022 I started at DNA Wild, and still going strong today. Planning a safari/itinerary is an ongoing learning experience. I believe you must have a passion for travel and safari to do this job. Attention to detail is such an important part of the planning process and it makes for a “mind-blowing” safari where guests are taken care of and where they feel safe. Africa has a lot to offer and l love showing off our beautiful landscapes and animals. 

A proudly South African girl. As a family, we used to travel all over South Africa for the school holidays and see the different regions and what nature had to offer, it should come as no surprise that I was bitten by the so-called “Travel Bug” at an early age, lucky me!

I started in the Travel & Tourism industry in 1997, and 27 years later I can’t imagine a life without being able to spend time in some of the most beautiful countries in the world and most importantly sharing my experiences and passion for travel with others. During this time, I have visited some of the most luxurious lodges and hotels in Africa, Europe, and South America.

Throughout the years, I was fortunate enough to experience various designations and destinations in the Travel Industry. From being the first woman employed on the Blue Train (in their then 52-year history) and later the Train Manager, to arranging various functions and weddings within the Southern Sun Group, lecturing at a hotel school, working as a retail travel agent, and an inbound and outbound travel expert, trainer, and Sales Manager in companies such as Thompsons Travel and Wilderness Safaris.

With being in many parts of travel, I bring a unique perspective to the team, which allows us to create bespoke travel itineraries with our partners. 

Chantal Benn

Travel Concierge and Training Manager

Our Mission

At DNA Wild, we want to share our love of Africa by creating memorable and bespoke experiences in Africa for clients by using our expertise and unique insight into African travel.

Our Vision

At DNA Wild, we want to share our love of Africa by creating memorable and bespoke experiences in Africa for clients by using our expertise and unique insight into African travel.

Our Company

Values

  • We love where we are from, and we want to share that with you. Offering the best of the best of our favorite destinations has to offer.

  • We trust each other and play to our teams' strengths. In the same way, we are open to collaborating with our suppliers and clients to build the best itineraries.

  • We remain loyal to our Agents and hope to build longstanding relationships.

  • We endeavor to communicate with honesty and integrity at all times.

  • Just as the bush can be unpredictable, so is life. We will use our creativity to adapt to new circumstances.