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:
- $349 to $966 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 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..
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Email Matt Champ | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellently Planned and Executed Travel with luxurious accommodations
I received a response from Matthew Grace shortly after my request for information. He consistently followed up on my questions and custom planned a vacation to my desires. I was able to book the trip within a week of my initial contact. He continued communicating with me prior to my trip, while on the tour, and then after following up on my return home. The accommodations and safari experience exceeded my expectations. I am so grateful to Matthew Grace for putting this trip of a lifetime together for me and my mother.
Email philip Hodgson MBE | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience with a fantastic guide
Matt was a fantastic guide who really cares about his travellers. He picked us up from Joburg and drove the 5 hours to Kruger. He made sure we saw all of the animals and kept us well fed and watered over the weekend we were with him. He goes the extra mile and I would definitely recommend him as yes you can do this trip on your own but if you dont know what you are looking for then you are wasting your money as you will be very lucky to see the animals that we did. Only an experienced guide will get this for you so be warned.
Wonderful Kruger trip organizer and transfer from Joberg to Kruger!
Our group had the most amazing trip to Kruger and African Safari Guru Tours (Matthew) was a huge part of that wonderful experience. We were referred to Matthew through word-of-mouth. Matthew was very knowledgeable in helping us plan our trip. He was professional and prompt in his communications. He asked us what we were looking for and gave us a range of lodge/experience options within our budget. It was very easy to make all the arrangements through him. Matthew also personally met us at the airport and drove us to our lodge in Kruger. Although our flight was delayed arriving in Johannesburg that morning, which delayed our transfer to the lodge, Matthew called the lodge ahead of time and arranged for us to still make it to our lodge's afternoon game drive. Customer service at its finest because he wanted us to have as many game drives as we could fit in during our trip. Mathew also arrived early when he picked us up from the lodge and safely transferred us back to Johannesburg. We highly recommend using Matthew to make your travel accommodations throughout Southern Africa. He is trustworthy, knowledgeable and super friendly. You will not be disappointed!
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Email Brendan & Vera M. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful service
Matt arranged two safaris for us - four nights at Sable Alley in Botswana and three nights at Kulala Guest Lodge in Namibia. Our original plans were to travel to Africa in 2020... and we all know how that turned out! Pandemic delays and life-in-the-live-along delayed our plans and Matt kept working with us and the lodges to postpone and re-book our travels. Fortunately we were able to keep our reservations and move the dates forward. Through Matt, we were finally able to realize our bucket list trips and visit these two beautiful countries.
Matt was communicative and is assuring - anyone who plans to use his services should relax and trust him to do what he does best: provide trips and accommodations in his beautiful Africa. As an example, we had to catch "hopper" flights from the local airports to the airstrips in the field. Matt assured us we would be met at each of the local airports, and we were. At each local airport the staff were waiting for us with our names printed on a board, ready to welcome and escort us. They did an excellent job!
The lodge we were booked to stay at in Namibia burned down and Matt worked with the lodge to find alternate accommodations at a lodge in the general area. He made sure we were alerted to the fire and need for alternate accommodations.
We were fortunate to see lion, cheetahs and leopard in Botswana, as well as many of the "usual" animals - elephant, hippo, sable, hyena, wild dogs, and many more. Sable Alley has a fantastic team who provide excellent service.
We stayed in a remote campground in Namibia, Camp Sossus. The chef, Daniel, trained under a Michelin star chef and he presented beautiful and tasty dishes at every turn. The stars in Namibia are a sight to see - so beautiful and so many.
Matt has many destinations for you to choose from... simply let him know what you are interested in and he will work with you to explore your dreams.
Thanks, Matt.
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Email Max Greenwald | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Matthew & Team bring immense knowledge and love of South Africa and curate a special experience
Matthew worked closely with us to design a safari experience tailor made to our needs.
For us, as first time Safari-goers, we did not know what to do expect. He patiently explained the nuances of different regions, accommodations, time of year nuances and travel distances to maximize fun and enjoyment.
We ended up doing a 10 day package in South Africa: 1 day driving on the Panorama Route, 3 days inside Kruger in the rustic Olifants camp doing bush walks, 3 days in the private game reserve Timbavarti at Shindzela camp doing game drives and finally at Matthew's own luxury reserve in the south of Kruger, Grace of Africa.
Each showed us different ways that one can safari and we loved it. Matthew was also quite responsive to us wanting to change up the itinerary on the fly and went out of his way to come up with off-the-beaten-path activities like a local waterfall and driving through rural towns
Email Ange H | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredibly knowledgeable with exceptional service
Where do I even start with how amazing this trip was, thanks to the detailed planning and professionalism of Matthew Grace, from African Safari Guru, and all of the staff we encountered during our three weeks in Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar. We did not have to worry about a single thing once we arrived in Nairobi. All the planned accomodation, transportation and activities happened seamlessly. The quality of every camp and hotel was exceptional and Matt was very responsive anytime we needed to confirm details or ask a question, including late at night and weekends!!!
We were able to customise our trip up front with all the specific activities we were looking for. We ventured out on a night safari, visited a Masai village, flew in a hot air balloon over the Masai Mara, and headed out on safari riding a camel, with a Masai Guide, to name a few.
We saw the Big 5 and MANY more animals. Each day on safari was unique and exciting! The safaris were personal, and our guides were very experienced and knowledgeable. Heading back to camp each evening and falling asleep to the sounds of lions roaring and hyenas howling among a host of other animal calls...was truly incredible :).
We will never forget the memories made on this trip. We hope to return again and without a doubt will be calling Matt at African Safari Guru.
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Email Pete Morelli | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Extremely knowledgeable
I have booked trips to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia numerous times through African safari guru and have always been extremely happy. It is a great company run by the most passionate person I have ever known. His love for animals and Africa is unmatched.
I have got to the point where I just tell him the dates and nothing else and he plans me the perfect holiday. I don't even read the detailed itinerary he sends me anymore because I trust him so much and enjoy the surprise.
I can't recommend this company enough, they are beyond fabulous.
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Email Debbie Rath | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent, knowledgeable and professional service.
This past September marked our second visit to South Africa and our second time utilizing the services of Matthew Grace - African Safari Guru. We selected Matthew’s business for our initial trip based on his apparent knowledge in making suggestions and offering a custom designed trip that exactly suited our needs. Every step of the process was handled with professionalism and Matthew kept in constant contact with us - answering any questions we might have along the way. Our first trip was such a success we did not hesitate to contract the services of ASG for our family trip in September. We had a fairly extensive “wish list” for this trip an and once again Matthew came through. All our accommodations, transfers, safari’s and day excursions were exactly as booked - he even managed to arrange an additional private safari for us at the last minute! I highly recommend African Safari Guru for anyone’s travel needs.
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Email Charles Nicholas | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding service and incomparable attention to detail. Could not be better!
This was our second safari to South Africa in two years and Matthew Grace, owner of African Safari Guru arranged both. Honest, kind, detail oriented and simply a very good person who loves what he does and does it singularly well. I would love to do another trip with him and am absolutely convinced you cannot find a better person or company to work with.