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
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 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.
US
Email Wim | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Matt provided a perfect South Africa experience for my wife and I.
Matt did an outstanding job. He provided transportation and accommodations. We stayed in a quiet lodge outside (Aloe Guest Lodge) of Johannesburg on the first night. very nice and quiet. then he drove us to Lukimbi Safari Lodge in Kruger. This lodge was amazing. Saw the Big 5, staff and accommodations were fantastic. Next we flew to Cape Town where Matt placed us in the Compass House. very quiet and nice boutique hotel. Thank you Matt and we will recommend you to everyone friend that wants to visit your beautiful country.
Smooth and Efficient Transfers.
The communication process was very smooth. Matthew was very helpful in suggesting itineraries and choices of things to do. Our email communications went back and forth. Each time I got a prompt reply and I was eventually able to come up with an itinerary.
We used African Safari Guru for transfers to and from Johannesburg and Pilanesburg, our pick up was on time the drive was smooth and comfortable.
African Safari Guru lived up to our expectations and deserves the consistently good ratings that we saw looking for transfers and things to do.
IT
Email claudio | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
great trip
African Safari Guru have give me a magic travel
they are perfet
good price
fantastic location
and good field guide
US
Email Dr. Phil and Nancy Claussen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Overall a professional service with customer service a priority
Matthew from African safari guru was excellent from start to finish. Communication was key from such a long distance and it was very clear what needed to be done and if there were any questions he was quick at answering them. His recommendations were on target and he provided personal service beyond what normal operators would do. We are returning to South Africa again and have already used his expertise and booked more adventures this time around. You will not be disappointed with his level of service.
Drive to our Lodge went by in a swif.
Matt was waiting as advised in email. Useful tips, lovely sandwiches made the 3 hours trip to the lodge go by in no time. Next time we'll book a tour with him.
Great guy, super driver what more do you want.
US
Email ddd5119 | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Trip to S. Africa
Matthew arranged our trip to South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Everything worked as planned. Matthew greatly helped us find excellent lodges both in Zambia and Botswana. We highly recommend African Safari Guru Tours.