Safari Guru

About African Safari Travel Specialists

Your dream is to go to Africa; it’s a significant investment of time and money for most. Based upon real-life experience and ﬁrst-hand knowledge of the African continent we create bespoke journeys for those looking for “travel with purpose”, individual and family safaris that oﬀer peace of mind, body and soul in remarkable destinations.

We take time to plan your trip and as African travel specialists, we have substantial working knowledge of safaris and wildlife reserves and countries on the African continent. This is all critical to your holiday’s success.

Our tailored itineraries ensure smooth, hassle-free travel. We iron out the complicated and only offer what we have personally experienced or proven to be safe, excellent and well-thought-out through our network of trade partners and industry experts – many of whom are personal friends and ex-colleagues.

It is the little things and substantial knowledge we bring to the table; those that will make your travels, comfortable, enjoyable and spectacularly memorable every time.

We are passionate about sharing our knowledge about the continent we love and enabling our clients to experience the best of it. We aim to not only create fabulous, cost-effective bespoke itineraries but to make every part of your journey, including the planning, both seamless and fun.

Safari Guru Pty Ltd is an Australian-registered and owned travel agency. Founded in 2019 by Deon De Villiers, the team offers extensive operational safari knowledge, which is today applied to every safari itinerary created for our traveller’s peace of mind.

Safari Guru operates with a handful of African Safari Travel Specialists and is considered one of Australia’s leading African tour operators specialising in safari bookings for travellers from all over the world.

Find out more about African Safari Travel Specialists!

Deon De Villiers

Safari Planner | Tour Leader |
Founder

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Susan Lock

Destination Specialist | Safari Planner |
Ambassador

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Ashley Steedman

Destination Specialist |
Safari Planner

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Allan McMaster

African Travel Specialist |
Private Guide

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"The natural environment sustains the life of all beings universally"

Dalai Lama

Three Key Facts About African Safari Travel Specialists

Safari Guru

Passionate

We are passionate about Africa; its people and wildlife and driven to ensure your trip will exceed expectations. We have over thirty years of experience in managing, guiding and travelling to high-end luxury safari camps in remote locations. We have travelled and continue to visit the continent extensively, and regularly to bring our knowledge and excitement to all of our bespoke itineraries.

Ethical

As well as the passion and knowledge we bring, we are specialists in bespoke journeys, for those looking for escapism, adventure, travel with purpose or for inspiration and/or family safaris that offer peace of mind, body and soul in remarkable destinations.

We use camps, owners and operators who actively adopt sustainable practices to protect community, land and the natural world. You won’t pay more to use our services and have our personal connections and knowledge at hand throughout your journey.

Personal

All of our safari itineraries are pieced together based upon our extensive real-life experience and first-hand knowledge of the very best camps, attentive owners and sustainable operators whom we know and trust to provide a dream trip based on your intimate desires. Together with our meticulous planning, you can be sure your trip will match and exceed your wants and desires.

Custom Safari Specialists

If you’re dreaming of Africa, your journey has already begun!

Truly unique experience. Many thanks to Allan and his team for planning such a wonderful safari at Kruger National Park. Highly recommend!

Mikaël Schinazi

2023-01-09

This was our 4th trip to Africa and by far the best ever. All the details were properly handled; we had not flight problems or delays and the service provided by Safari Guru was outstanding. I would recommend them, and have to friends and family. We will be going back to Africa with the outstanding Staff of Safari Guru.

Ann Becher Smead

2022-11-17

We recently returned from Kenya, had a fabulous safari designed by Deon de Villiers of Safari Guru. We had some wonderful sightings and the whole thing went without a single hiccup. The guides were excellent. Deon was so helpful in allowing us to reschedule several times due to COVID restrictions preventing travel. We visited Sirikoi in the Lewa Conservancy and Serian Ngare, Serian Nkorombo and Mara Plains at Masai Mara, each place offering a different experience, each special in its own way. Loved the rhinocerous at Lewa, giraffe giving birth at Ngare, hippopotamus at Nkorombo and cats at Mara Plains, and so so much more. We highly recommend Deon and the Safari Guru team.

John M

2022-10-16

We finally got to take our Kenya/Rwanda adventure with Safari Guru post pandemic. Our trip was a fantastic experience that immersed us in Africa. The holiday went as planned, everything was organised so we were gently steered from place to place, which we enjoyed as we found we weren't "travel fit" after sitting on sidelines for two years! Our lodges in Kenya were beautiful, nice and small, felt like you were part of a family, rather than a customer! Rwanda was a highlight, an amazing country with a shocking past that is moving forward beautifully. The advice from Deon to do two gorilla walks was perfect. Our first day we hiked in to mountain and when we got there the heavens opened and it didn't stop! The scouts found 6 gorillas for us to glimpse as they were hiding from rain too! We trekked down in the mud, rivers of water ending up bedraggled! It was a great experience but the next day was perfect! Beautiful blue skies, trekked up and gorillas were everywhere, sunning themselves and eating vigorously. Was awesome being so close and they couldn't care less! Would highly recommend safari Guru, they planned us a perfect holiday and are easy to contact with queries and answer promptly. Travelling on our own was great as each place we stayed, there were like travellers from around the world to socialise with. Thanks Deon and Ashley

Jackie Helliwell

2022-10-16

I was completely blown away with the service I received from Safari Guru. We had a most marvellous holiday in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. Everything went extremely well and the Wilderness team were excellent in looking after us at each of their safari camps. Well done to Deon and Ashley, Morag Cotsell

Morag Cotsell

2022-10-15

Had an amazing experience working with Deon and Safari Guru. My wife and I went into this trip thinking of it as a once in a lifetime experience. Because of our experience we have another trip in mind to bring our children so they can have the same amazing experience that we had. Thank you Deon! We look forward to seeing you again!

John A. Mertz

2022-07-27

Thanks you Deon for amazing and wonderful experience of Masai Mara. It's once in a lifetime and on top great hospitality from Safariguru right from arrival, Resort stay and well designed itinerary. I would love to bring my family again this time for Botswana, so look forward to crafted trip next

Manish Shah

2022-07-27

Safari Guru organized us an amazing journey in Namibia for our wedding anniversary; it will be long lasting and marvelous memories for years! We also greatly appreciated the dedication and support of Safari Guru's team during these challenging times of the Covid pandemic as they had to re-arrange 2 times our trip initially planned for 2020. Thanks and kudos to Deon and all at Safari Guru!

JF Redon

2022-04-19

We had a truly magical safari in Botswana. Deon and the staff of Safari Guru will guide you to the exact places you want to go specific to your desires and budget. Highly recommend!

barbara nelson

2022-03-23

Botswana! What an incredible destination as we begin to travel again. This is a trip of a lifetime. The game drives were exhilarating, the people are friendly, the food fantastic, and the accommodations are meant to spoil you. Our trip was beautifully planned and executed by Deon De Villiers and his team at Safari Guru. They have been to every camp they recommend and tailor your safari experience to you. What else could you ask for! We will travel with them again and highly recommend Safari Guru to plan your next trip!