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:
- $339 to $938 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 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.
Absolutely amazing experience, they went above and beyond!
Look no further! This was the trip we have been dreaming of for ever and African Safari Guru made it happen. The trip was stress free once you know you’re in good hands of someone that will take care of all your needs, wants and desires. Worth every cent, and for the experience you get, you can afford to miss out. We had game drives that blew our minds, and activities that were a big ‘pinch me moment’.
Couldn’t recommend more!
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.
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 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.