Born in South Africa, Matt spent his childhood moving back and forth between Durban and his family's 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 guide at the world-famous MalaMala Game Reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park. He lived and worked there for almost 10 years, becoming head ranger and head photographic guide. 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 and East Africa, as well as Madagascar and Australia. He is an avid photographer bringing his interpretation of animal behavior into his photographic style. A passionate ecologist and conservationist where he was the man on the bike in the 2017, 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. "Anywhere in the wild is ‘home’ for me,” Matt says. “The unpredictability and unforgivingness of nature are awe-inspiring and photography allows us to capture each of these moments in time.”