Wild Sheep Show

Danene Westhuyzen

Aru Game Lodges


Danene van der Westhuyzen is a leading African conservation figure known for pairing hands-on wildlife management with influential global advocacy. In 2012, she became Namibia’s first female dangerous game professional hunter, and in 2016 she made history again as the first woman worldwide to lead a professional hunting association, serving as President of NAPHA until 2021. She later spent seven years as CEO of the Operators & Professional Hunting Associations of Africa (OPHAA), advancing collaboration and conservation standards across the continent. Today, she brings African perspectives to international policy as Vice President of Dallas Safari Club and the International Professional Hunting Association. She also serves on the boards of Safari Club International Foundation and Conservation Force, and is an African Advisor and Executive Committee member of CIC. In Namibia, she holds additional conservation roles, including with the Black Rhino Association and anti-poaching initiatives. Danene co-owns ARU Game Lodges, managing over 60,000 hectares under a model that combines regulated hunting, photo tourism, and community partnerships. An author and frequent contributor to major outlets, she is also a sought-after keynote speaker. Her work has earned multiple international honors, including the Count Lajos Károlyi Merit Award (2026).

Sessions :