Viva Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 50-100 employees (Founded in 1991)
- Member Of:
- Southern Africa Tourism Services Association
- Tour Types:
- Mid-range tours that, when possible, use accommodations owned and operated by them
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $76 to $189 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
CA
Email Helene | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Sleep out Safari
What an amazing experience, at no time did I feel unsafe, everyone was so professional
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Email Ryan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great People, Fantastic Service
Our Guides were wonderful and it was definitely an experience to remember. The people we met on the trip were fantastic as well! Also, they found a camera that we lost on the last day and arraigned for it to meet us in Johannesburg before we flew home. A beautiful time to in a beautiful place.
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Email Sharon | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good Value But With A Few Problems
We just returned from a 5D/4N safari at Tremisana Lodge. The pre-trip communication was very good. It was easy to make the reservation 6 months ago and reconfirm it just before we left. We were on another safari in South Africa before meeting up with Viva Safaris and so had asked them to arrange a hotel for us, near JNB airpirt, on the night before starting this part of our trip. Even though we provided the with our domestic flight number, they were confused and went to the international terminal instead. The accommodations at Tremisana look as pictured. The Lodge is nore rustic than you might guess. All meals were served outside and there was only one meal time. The food was okay at best but we did not go there for the food anyway. The AC in our room shorted out and we were placed in a similar room. We felt it was odd that no other people on safari stayed at Tremisana more than one night but us. They all went on to other places, mostly Marcs Treehouse. This gave the Lodge the feeling of a halfway point instead of a social place to discuss what we had seen on safari that day. The game drives were always great. We did see the Big 5. We got close up to the animals and the experience was wonderful. All game drive leaders were not the same, however. One in particular (Alias - Smiley) was very good in explaining animal behavior. The game drives always occurred on schedule and lasted 2-4 hours. Transportation that was provided to/from the lodge from JNB airport was not at all what we expected. The drive from JNB to Tremisana Lodge is very long and takes about 5 hours! The minibus used to transport us from JNB to the Lodge broke down 45 min into the trip. The water pump gave out and we had to wait at a rest stop for 3 hours before a replacement minivan came to pick us up. Then, as came time for different guests to be dropped off at different lodges, a tactic of having other mini vans stationed along the route, where you and your luggage were transferred was used. This meant that we had to change mini busses several times, each time transferring our luggage as well. This was not expected, never communicated, resulted in one persons luggage being misplaced and left most people feeling the need to keep tipping drivers. On our trip back from Tremisana to JNB we were the last ones to be picked up and found ourselves crammed ito the last row of a small minibus that held 14 passengers. Again, we had to transfer to another mini bus three times before we got back to JNB airport.
IL
Email aharon rose | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
krugerpark s.africa with viva safaris
great-great-great
all the package was corect, with great places to stey , good food , excellent guides and with a lot of patiesnt
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Email Jamie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Time at Marc's Treehouse
We loved our stay at Marc's Treehouse. The coordinator at the treehouse was so friendly and awesome! We had such a fun time. The treehouse we were in was wonderful, safe but still felt like camping! The food was also great! We enjoyed all of our private reserve drives, bush walks, and Kruger day. It was so much fun. We stayed at Tremisani lodge for one night. It was also relaxing. Our room was very toasty and we were supposed to be accomodated in a room of 3 isntad of 2 room but other than that it was wonderful. Definitely recommend!
ID
Email Iva | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good first taste of a safari experience
Booking reservation communication was prompt and quick. Had no expectation as to what a Kruger Safari would be like. We did the 3-day Masango Camp. It was unfortunate that the first night, we were the only guests on the camp site; could not help but feel a little left out from the other group. We also did not get to experience a braai during our stay. Masango Camp would have felt much better had it had more guests staying with us. "Nyala" room was very spacious, with a private bathroom. In the morning we could hear lions roaring. Staff was excellent. Our caretaker at Masango Camp (Mama Pauline woot woot!) was more than happy to assist us. Victor was superb! Very warm and easygoing and attentive - he had no problems laughing at himself. Our safari guide, Patrick, was very knowledgeable and patient - we got to see 4 out of the Big 5 (no rhinos!). Errisson was very pleasant and funny when giving us the bushwalk tour. Hopefully this would be more safaris in our future!
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Email Kelly | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent Customer Service
I took my family on safari and we chose Viva Safaris to make our arrangements. We thoroughly enjoyed our safari and our accommodations. The staff was very professional and kind. Victor and Preti did an awesome job of making us feel welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for the good service.
Email John | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fascinating worthwhile trip and great guide/driver trip
Collection and drop off went well, apart from a slight delay switching minibuses on the way back. We felt packed in at times but no complaints, you were busy.
The tours at the camp were good and we were really impressed by our driver/guide who was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, friendly and professional. The vehicles are old and need replacing. The accommodation was ok - a bit tired - and the food and drinks were fine; just occasionally the level of service overall slipped.
The tour to Kruger went well but the arrangement of the vehicle with the driver in the front and the passengers behind in the back meant that communications with him were difficult, but he was very helpful when we did have a problem which was nothing to do with Viva Safaris
Very good experience
It was my first time in Africa, my first time camping and i really enjoyed it. Staff very gentle. Good places. I have a problem with my tent and it was fixed quickly and nicely. Lot of food at night! Really good experience and i will recomended it for sure.
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Email Rye | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent experience!
I was in contact with Patti, who was very helpful and prompt in her responses to my requests and she was able to tailor my itinerary, while also offering additional alternatives. I traveled solo and stayed three nights at Tremisana Lodge and the rooms were clean, spacious, and there was actually hot water, and the food was great. I've been on plenty of safaris and I'm fairly simple when it comes to amenities, but there were more than enough at Tremisana Lodge. Maybe the wi-fi could have been a bit more reliable, but then again I wasn't there for that in the first place, so it was a plus it was available at all.
I can't say enough about all of the staff, they were all very welcoming and helpful throughout my stay. From the chefs, to the guides, and lodge staff (Rex, Eva, Robin, Elias, Pretty, and anyone else I may have missed, a big thank you! You all made my experience an incredible one!) Each guide worked very hard to find a wide array of wildlife, so that was much appreciated. Although, I have been to South Africa before, it was my first time to Kruger National Park and the surrounding areas.
For reference, I did the four day safari and my itinerary included game drives, a bush walk, and bush braai in Balule Game Reserve, with one full day in Kruger National Park, which is open-attached to Balule, so the animals can roam freely between each. We were able to find lions (lioness & cubs), black/white rhino, zebra, giraffe, hippo, hyena, waterbuck, jackal, cape buffalo, wildebeest, elephants, and even a verreaux's eagle owl (very rare), to name a few. All in all, the experience was just what I was looking for, time out and away from the daily grind while also enjoying the beautiful landscape and it did not disappoint.
In addition, Viva Safaris pick up and drop off in Jo'burg so that was a huge perk. On my return to Jo'Burg, my itinerary included a short stop-off at Blyde River Canyon, which was absolutely amazing! The views were incredible and definitely capped off a great trip to ZAR.
Again, I just want to send a warm thank you to all of the staff and guides who made my stay an incredible one!
I appreciate your hospitality, flexibility, and hard work to provide a great experience during my stay and I would highly recommend Viva Safaris.
Hope to see you again soon!
-Rye