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
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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.
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!!
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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!
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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.
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.
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!
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Email Kassie + Rick | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely amazing safari - not one complaint
Matthew set up an amazing experience and trip for us - from the time he picked us up at the airport - to the time that we left to go back to the states. He planned through our trip with us and was available every step of the way. Our safari was perfect and the experience in cape town was a blast.
LU
Email Fiona and Laurent | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our best holiday yet!
We asked Matthew for help in organizing our vacation. Even today we have not recovered from this unforgettable experience.
Matthew found us an absolutely amazing and idyllic Lodge located in Kruger Park where we were pampered and had the chance to be in touch with the animal world.
In Cape Town, Matthew organized and suggested several activities not to be missed (cage-diving, Wine-tour).
Matthew organized all our transfers from the airport to the hotel and vice versa.
Matthew is a wonderful person who loves to share his passion for wildlife and South African culture. We had the chance to spend some time with him and his wife. Sympathetic and endearing, we are very happy to have made their acquaintances.
We recommend everyone to refer to their expertise. If you're looking for a tailor-made trip, Matthew is the one for you! Thanks again for everything !!! :)
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.