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:
- $355 to $983 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
Email Angela | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing day safari experience!
Matthew was so helpful every step of the planning process. My sister and I had one entire day in Johannesburg in between our flights, and Matthew suggested the Pilanesburg Safari Day Trip. The day trip starts incredibly early - 4am - Matthew picked us up from our accommodation (you could also arrange a pick up from the airport) and drove us straight to Pilanesburg, stopping for breakfast and snacks along the way. Matthew was an incredibly experienced tour guide and has extensive knowledge of the animals. He tailored the trip to fit our interests, allowing us to stop at various waterholes and look for specific animals. I saw my very first chameleon and caracal, among the usual safari animals such as rhinos and giraffes.
After the safari we were dropped off at the airport in time for our next flight. I would highly recommend booking a trip with Matthew for a personalised tour and his knowledge of the African bush!
Email Carole & Adrian Murphy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Travelling is not being alone, but shared with people as passionate about travel too
Please read until the end, this guy will either become part of your experience or step outside so you have a unique experience. I feel I have to start by apologising to everyone who has looked for a Guide in South Africa to help plan a holiday of a lifetime-especially if you have chosen someone other than Matthew Grace of TheAfricanSafariGuru in the past 2 weeks, my apology stands. That’s how long it has taken me to come back to reality following a holiday involving Matt and TheAfricanSafariGuru. Another saying (in the UK) is to follow your ‘gut’ feeling. That’s what we did in booking this excellent guy, it’s been 2 weeks of still living the experience, so these comments are as fresh as though they happened yesterday. With holidays of a lifetime one can spend a fortune or be restricted to a budget (like us). Whichever way Matt’s input of experiences, contacts, knowledge of his native land and sheer personality are worth every penny, dollar rand or whatever currency you live with.
To start with Matt keeps in regular contact with you throughout the booking, whether like us you contact him months in advance or a shorter time scale. He always takes your ideas/requests/wishes into account alongside offering great ideas himself. If you’re not sure what you want, with his variety of suggestions between you, you soon develop a plan. Matt dedicates himself to that personal special service we all look for in a creative relationship.
TheAfricanSafariGuru helped with suggesting flights to fit in with our schedule’s, offered suggestions on where to stay at each point of our journey and listened to our own preferences. Take Cape Town, we looked at Matt’s suggestions of places to stay, of which he had carefully chosen of varying kinds. He had chosen hotel’s on the V & A Waterfront, self-catering apartments along the beaches, small beach hotels and Guest Houses. We also did our research and came up with our options. Matt took time to check on reviews of these places, recommending through his findings. We stayed in a guest house chosen by us, Matt took care of transport to and from the airport. He professionally respected we wanted this time on our own, contacting us only at times of priority.
A similar situation happened in choosing the Safari, now this is well in Matt’s zone. We looked around too, choosing a smaller National Park. Matt once again arranged everything, from airport pick up, Lodges to stay were recommended by him, he also offered suggestions to add to our itinerary. Hence we went on an estuary cruise to see Hippo’s and Crocs, to visit a Zulu Reserve, a Cheetah project before heading to the Safari. Matt ensured that we would be safe, accompanying us on most days, divulging his vast knowledge of areas around.
Once at the Safari, Matt left us in their capable hands, having provided us with a detailed itinerary of our 4 days on safari.
Matt has opportunities to cover every pocket, he always delivers. A great example of this, is when my son got in touch with Matt to suggest and arrange a special birthday surprise from my family. My son knew he wanted a Hot Air Balloon experience, not knowing the logistics of it. Speaking with Matt, together a place was picked taking into account where we would be on our travelling holiday. It was superb. Not only was I proud of my family for personal reasons, but Matt excelled in not only keeping a secret, but also in executing in style a very important moment for me and the family.
Likewise, I asked him to arrange a horse riding experience, again although he had not had such a request in the particular area we were staying, he checked out Harties Horse Trials. Again, a fab choice for a wonderful experience, well beyond my expectations.
I truly believe Matthew Grace of TheAfricanSafariGuru can turn ideas and suggestions into excellent beyond experience adventures. Never mind 5 stars, this is beyond scoring, he is the tops for us.
US
Email Bruno | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
He was so knowledgeable about all the animals and reptiles in the regions he was amazing
From the planning stages he would answer all our questions and concerns right away so his communication was top notch. We traveled to South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe and everything was set up for us we never had to wait a car was always waiting to take us to our next destination. This was the most stress-free trip I had ever experienced! Matthew picked us up at the airport when we first arrived in South Africa and right away he was calling the lodge to make sure they would have dinner for us upon arrival. He was in communication with us during our whole trip it was so ideal!
US
Email Marina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience for reasonable price!
Staff replied on my emails within short period of time. They staid on top of my preferences and priorities. I would describe them as highly efficient, friendly and caring about client
Offered tour: canopy tour and Elephant Sanctuary was well planned and managed
Feedback: great experience and time that I truly enjoyed
US
Email Pete morelli | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Greatest vacation of my life
communication was excellent. Matthew Grace made this trip perfect. His knowledge and love of animals and Africa was mind blowing. We stayed at 6 different places and they were all unique and beautiful. I had high expectations after booking the trip but the actual trip exceeded my expectations by far. Everything went smoothly and perfectly. It was the greatest vacation imaginable and I will definitely be booking through him again in the future
US
Email Dianne | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It can not get better than this!
My husband and there adult sons just returned from a two week safari in South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe...all arranged by the African Safari Guru, Matthew Grace.
When we first started planning this trip the only thing we knew was we wanted to visit Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls. After searching and more researching, we got in touch with Matthew Grace to find out what he offered. What did he offer? Africa in two weeks. He advised us where to go to see the maximum number of animals, made arrangements for us at 6 different sites and even coordinated all activities which he personally could not engage in with us out of South Africa.
Our safari went off without a problem except for a quick return to a city for an unexpected doctor visit which Matthew drove us to! Every place we stayed was arranged with care by our African Safari Guru. We saw more animals than ever expected. We got up close with the lions seeing the mother bringing her cubs to the pride for the first time to watching them make their formation and eventual kill. We did not miss a thing.
If anyone wants a wonderful vacation, go on a safari. BUT, if you want the adventure of your life, get in touch with The African Safari Guru - Matthew Grace. Trust me, it can get no better than him..
AE
Email Francionette | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful Honeymoon
Matthew came highly recommended to us by family in Canada who used his services in March during their visit to South Africa, and they sang his praises all the way.
From the first point of contact Matthew answered all our hundreds of emails and questions, with lots of patience. He proposed tailer-made options that exceeded our expectations and standards and when we finally made a decision he ensured that the lodge we chose - Mara Bushtops - offered us the best honeymoon experience we could ask for.
Our safaris and the customer service at Mara Bushtops was outstanding, the staff, drivers and spotters were very knowledgable and no request was too big. Matthew made an effort to follow up with the lodge during our stay to ensure we were having a good time. The experiences we had on our honeymoon will forever be remembered and cherished.
Thank you Matthew and Mara Bushtops for providing us with and experience of a lifetime.
US
Email Joyce J | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect planning and options fully responsive to our price range and the experience we wanted
Every aspect was superbly planned and executed. Matthew was incredibly responsive throughout the whole process. He proposed lodges that would provide exactly the experience we wanted. He answered questions almost before I even asked them. Our pickups and transportation were excellent, right on time and really pleasant. We stayed at Cheetah Plains Lodge and Camp Shawu. Both places were excellent. The guides were knowledgeable, personable and delightful to get to know. The staff at both locations were gracious and very responsive to our needs and preferences . It was an amazing experience, from start to finish. I can’t recommend African Safari Guru highly enough! Fantastic all around
Wonderful experience
Had a fantastic time! Safari was super well organized, offered complementary beverages and snacks, had very nice and knowledgeable guides. The only minor issue was the driver got lost twice. But no big deal, he quickly found the right way and he was also very friendly and shared interesting information about South Africa. All in all I really recommend this company!
BR
Email alessandra pandolfo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
great day
Matthew is a wonderful guide. He took me and my husband to Pilanesberg and we had an amazing time in there. We saw a lot of lions, elephants, giraffes...... he has a lot of acknowledgment and he is very patient in explain all to us.