Matthew Grace & Nicolette Grace ~ Founder & Owner
African Safari Guru
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2005)
- Member Of:
- SATOA, FGASA, SATIB, DEAT, CASSETHA, For Wildlife Non Profit Trust & Prodly South African
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $359 to $994 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
CA
Email Calvin | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Matthew organzied an amazing trip for us. From the time we contacted him to the end of our trip.
We wanted a trip of a lifetime to South Africa to see the big 5 and to see Victoria Falls. Matthew at African Safari Guru looked after us in the most amazing way I ever thought possible. I must admit I was quite worried about setting up our trip and all the logistics involved, but once I realized that Matthew had our backs and that he was there anytime if we needed him, I became quite at ease. Matthew arranged all the behind the scenes arrangements and everything went perfectly. He is knowledgeable, sincere and passionate about his job, and following his suggestions we were able to select a perfect trip for us. Having spoken at length to Matthew, he impressed me with his knowledge and expertise and I realized that there are many other variations of the trip that were available. Something for everyone's taste. We were able to pick the ones that suited us the best. As I believed he figured out what we wanted and suggested options that we would enjoy.
Several of our friends are wishing for a trip similar to ours. I have without reservation have recommended they get in touch with Matthew, as we have had such a positive experience with him. Thank you Matthew for everything!
IT
Email Marco (Gibbo) | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A true jump in wildlife.
Beautiful place, good food, nice people, breath taking location and true contact with wildlife.
US
Email Laura G. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime - Way better than what I could have planned on my own
Excellent all the way around. Matthew was very responsive to emails, answered all of our questions, addressed all of our concerns, and made all the little adjustments and changes we requested throughout the planning process. His service exceeded our expectations. The experience itself was great - just what we were looking for, and more. It was evident that he had done his research to make sure he sent us to top-notch places. The itinerary he prepared included activities that I would not have known to look for on my own, such as the activities in Cape Town and the trip into Botswana to visit Chobe National Park. Also, the lodgings he selected for us were superb - a penthouse condo right on Camp's Bay Beach (Cape Town) to start the trip; a BEAUTIFUL and spacious cottage at a small river lodge in Livingstone (Victoria Falls), and two excellent but very different game lodges in Greater Kreuger. I am so glad I went through African Safari Guru rather than booking on my own.
US
Email Dr. Tony Fernandez | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellence in touring South Africa
After some problems with Viator's booking I was fortunate enough to book the tour directly with Matt's African Safari Guru. From the first contact Matt was extremely professional and attentive. He guided me step by step and for several weeks since our first contact to the actual activity he kept me informed of how things were unfolding and frequently updated me about everything. One of the most important things about Matt is his great customer care capacity. Every time I contacted him with questions or doubts, I got a full response in less than 3 hours. From my pick up at my hotel to my return everything was easy and smooth. At the activity site all was perfectly arranged. I most mention the gentleman who took care of my transportation, Doug, who made the whole round trip nice and smooth. He's a very nice and jovial person who made the long trips very interesting with his deep knowledge of South Africa history. I honestly and without reservations recommend Matt's African Safari Guru for all your activities in South Africa. Matt is very knowledgeable, caring and his prices are highly competitive. Excellent job Matt!
IE
Email Romain | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Use African Safari Guru if you want an amazing and personalized safari !!
It's the second time Matt from African Safari Guru organizes a safari for me in South Africa. This time it was for my honeymoon. He organized an amazing trip in incredible lodges. I was able to really understand the experience we wanted and build a packages that was ideal for us. I really recommend it for anyone looking to do a personalized safari. Thanks again Matt!!
US
Email Mitch R | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing South Africa Vacation Trip
We normally arrange all of our own vacation trips, but wanting to have a great safari experience and concern about some of the logistics associated with our family trip to South Africa, made me think we'd be better off with some professional planning. I put out feelers with a handful of tour operators, including Matthew Grace at African Safari Guru, and he was by far the most responsive and helpful. Matthew is so knowledgeable about South Africa. He has a good awareness of what are the best things to see and places to go at various times of the year - he really listened to what we were looking to do, gave us some great advice and laid out a series of options for our trip rather than a standard tour operator package, and put together a fantastic itinerary for us.
We spent our first 5 days based in Cape Town, and Matthew arranged an outstanding hiking excursion to the top of Table Mountain, as well as day-trips along the coast and into the wine country -- with excellent guides for each. Then we traveled to Kruger National Park for an unbelievably memorable safari experience at Lukimbi Safari Lodge. Lukimbi was a perfect fit for our family -- not sure how Matthew figured that out, but it really worked out great. The safari guides and all the staff at Lukimbi were welcoming, enthusiastic, fun, and really, really good at their work. The game drives were spectacular, and the food and accommodations at Lukimbi were first-rate.
Matthew also arranged for all our transfers, and every one was flawless. In addition, Matthew stays in daily communication with you while you're on your trip, via WhatsApp, and was always available to answer any questions or resolve any issues that cropped up. Not only that, but he personally met us at the Nelspruit Airport and was our driver for a day as we transited to Lukimbi (and he knew some great spots to view some of the wildlife in Kruger on the way to Lukimbi, so we had kind of a bonus game-drive on the way in!). Matthew tries to meet up in person with each of his clients at some point on their trip, which is a great indication of the individual attention he provides as a tour planner.
When it was all said and done, we had a fantastic holiday and I can confidently recommend African Safari Guru. Matthew's professional knowledge, honest and straightforward advice and hands-on approach to planning, and his great customer service paved the way for what each of us agreed was possibly the best vacation we have taken as a family.
SK
Email Michal | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The most memorable travel experience
Thanks to Matt and African Safari Guru, this was the most amazing traveling experience our family have ever had. With 5 days in Cape-town, tasting wine, great restaurants, horse back riding, seals, penguins, helicopter flight to 5 days in the most memorable Safari in Marataba and Madikwe. All perfectly organized with fantastic support from Matt, private transfers & flights between airports. Every step has been organized on 100%.
Email Hugh | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Friendly, efficient and excellent
One of the best holidays ever - and I've been on many around the world - Matt was extremely communicative before during and after the holiday. His organisation skills were excellent, surpassed only by quality of where he picked - the 2 lodges were beyond anyones wildest dreams. If you want an unforgettable safari experience, look no further.
Email Lesley & Hugh Evans | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Holiday Experience
Matthew was very efficient and our amazing two weeks away passed seamlessly. He was very good at communicating everything that was going on and his suggestions were all great. The whole trip was of a high standard with good locations and his knowledge of everything to assist us was so helpful. All the transfers and accommodation bookings were of no trouble to us making our holiday seem effortless on our part and very relaxing.
Email Julie and Chris | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgetable Holiday!
We wanted a tailormade trip to South Africa and Matt was certainly the man to fix it for us. From the start, Matt made every step easy and was always available via Whatsapp video call to help with any questions or queries. We arranged our own flights to Johannesburg and onward to Hoedspruit where we were met by one of Matt's colleagues and driven to our first lodge 'Jackalberry Lodge' which was just a delight. The Ranger and Tracker were so knowledgeable, we were treated to a fabulous pride of four male lions on our first night out, breath taking! After 3 nights and 6 amazing game drives we were picked up and driven to our next lodge ‘Idubi Safari Lodge in Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Greater Kruger National Park. A very comfortable lodge with our own private pool overlooking the bush route for many different animals, especially elephants, an absolute treat to watch. Again, our Ranger and Tracker were so knowledgeable and capable and made each game drive fun and exciting. The lodge itself was very comfortable, every meal was delicious, the staff were very helpful and friendly which made our stay so enjoyable. We spent 3 nights at Idubi and enjoyed 6 game drives managing to tick off so many of our favourite animals, particularly cheetah, leopard, lion, white rhino and we also saw wild dogs, buffalo, hippo, hyena and so many more fantastic creatures. We were driven to our final lodge ‘Lukimbi Safari Lodge in Kruger National Park. Lukimbi is a pretty spectacular place with individual lodges with beautiful bathrooms and private pools overlooking the park, perfect for game viewing, particularly elephants down by the river. A further 3 days and 6 game drives were filled with amazing wildlife and relaxing days, truly a holiday to remember.
Matt listened to what we wanted and chose the lodges to match our interests; he arranged for our transportation between the airports and lodges and was always at the end of the phone if we had any questions. We would certainly rebook through Matt when we return to South Africa.
