Matt Meyer

Born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Matt spent his childhood moving back and forth between Durban and his family's private game reserve in northern Zululand, where his passion for the outdoors and wildlife was nurtured at a young age. His mother struggled to get him inside the house at the end of the day, when all Matt wanted to do was be in the bush, exploring and learning.

Matt gained practical knowledge to support his passion for nature at the University of KwaZulu Natal, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in ecological sciences with a focus on wildlife management and conservation. Field trips into the bush occupied much of his studies. During school holidays, he often helped post-graduate students with research and field work. Following graduation, Matt trained as a game ranger at world-famous MalaMala Game Reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park. He lived and worked there for 7 years, becoming head ranger and head photographic ranger. At MalaMala, Matt’s passion for ecotourism, wildlife, photography and travel grew to a point where he knew this would be his lifetime career.

Matt has guided safaris across southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia. He is an avid photographer and especially enjoys cycling—evidenced by the fact that he recently completed a 2,000-mile "Rhino Ride" from Blaine, Washington to San Diego, California, pulling a life-sized rhino statue behind his bike in order to raise awareness and funds to help save this endangered species. He’s also an off-road 4x4 enthusiast and is the proud owner of a mid-'90s shorty Land Rover. “Anywhere in the wild is ‘home’ for me,” Matt says. “The unpredictability and unforgivingness of nature are awe-inspiring.”

Upcoming Adventures with Matt:
Madagascar Wildlife Adventure

Praise from Nat Hab travelers:

R. Eshelman
"Matt is an excellent guide. His knowledge of the game animals was great, and he related that knowledge in a way that was understandable. He was always courteous and went out of his way to make sure that we were comfortable and well taken care of."

J. Evans
"Matt has all the skills of a superb Expedition Leader: administrative and logistical, knowledge of wildlife and the environment, great spotting ability and the ability to deal with our different personalities with unflagging good humor."

J. Athens

"I think of Matt as our drill sergeant with a heart—which means he was a super Expedition Leader. Matt was always there to help us in all of our myriad needs. He was experienced—he knew the places we went, and he knew how to lead. I can't thank him enough for being the key to such a great trip"

T. Yeager
"Matt demonstrated great enthusiasm for the journey and did his best to provide us with an exceptional experience. His passion for the locale and the flora and fauna generated an extraordinary experience while trying to ensure that we viewed not only expected but unexpected sights."

D. Brewer
"I found Matt excellent, always on top of things and thinking ahead. He was extremely patient with the group and regularly repeated our schedules and timelines for upcoming events. I especially found that Matt knew a lot about the wildlife, geology, people and the area in general. Lastly, not only was he very informative, but he was a solid naturalist who cared about conservation of the wildlife. He had great leadership skills, was a clear communicator and was very compassionate and patient."

L. Glynn
"When we first met Matt, he looked intensely into our eyes, had a great smile and a firm handshake that made us feel as if we were the most important people at that moment. It gave us a great feel about him from the start. Matt exuded confidence and trustworthiness. He was serious when the situation warranted and good humored and yet vigilant the rest of the time."

Our Story