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:
- $79 to $195 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
ES
Email Paulina | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lovely place and amazing people
I stayed at Tremisana with Viva Safari.
People working there are really nice and the place is affordable and lovely. I would only say that may be the location is not the best, as you can't see a lot of animals given that the surroundings are dry. But this is nature!
However, compared to other safaris they do have a pick up and drop off service to Johannesburg which makes things easier for people travelling by myself like me! I went to South Africa for business and stayed some extra days for a Safari.. and it's an amazing experience!!!!
May be there are other places in better locations, but the charm of the staff and they way you feel there makes every penny worth to!
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.
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
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!
IT
Email Alessandro | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing days with Viva Safaris
We had an amazing experience with Viva Safari. We have been quite unlucky in Tremisana (could happens) but our guides did theyr best to spot something. In Marcs Threehouse (especially during the Kruger day) we had right the experience we could only hope to have: amazing.
AR
Email Nora Virginia Venialgo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
great experience
I felt very happy with the service and the personal of viva safaris. the places were great, the food, and the guides. it was a great experience. i recommend.
US
Email Wood | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Vacation by Kruger Park for reasonable price
Pros:
Very reasonable prices for location and accommodations.
On time pick up at JNB hotel.
Lodge Rooms was clean and comfortable but a bit small for our family of 3.
Program/tours - variety of tours and places to go, really enjoyed the conservation visit!
Breakfast was very good, as well as other meals.
Lodge staff friendly.
Most of the guides, despite of young, looked passioned about their job and were very friendly.
Cons:
Location - day to go to Kruger was cold and had to ride 30-40 mins on open vehicle (with tarp on one side).
Lodge bar only accepts cash - this was an issue for us, since we did not take much cash on our trip, so we could not drink as much we wanted on our vacation!
Liability Waiver - this created a big commotion on the van to the Lodge. None of us know about that when we booked the trip. The explanations were confusing. Some told us was for the van ride only and others that it was for the Safari tours. I have done Safaris before and don't recall signing nothing like that. This was an unpleasant and unnecessary stress during our Vacation.
Internet - only works on the lobby area.
DE
Email Martina | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great Safaris with nice guides!
Everything works fine, special thanks to Smilie and Nico!!
Thank you for the Big Five!
US
Email Andrew | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very fund 5-day safari
Had a great time with Viva Safaris. Did a 5-day, 4-night safari, with the first night at Tremisana Lodge and the last 3 days at Marc's Treehouse. The various drives and walks to see animals were fantastic. We saw tons of animals and had knowledgeable guides who could tell us a lot about what we were seeing (and find more animals for us). The trip to the animal rehab center was fun, too. All in all, the safari was very well organized by all the Viva Safaris staff. The food provided was also very good, and they were very accommodating with dietary restrictions.
The one negative would be the accommodations. Our room at Tremisana Lodge was in poor condition and the bathroom was basically in the same room as the bed. This may have been an outlier room at Tremisana, but it was still below expectations, particularly since Tremisana is supposed to be one of their nicer lodges. Marc's Treehouse also was a bit disappointing. Only a few of the cabins were true treehouses - the rest were just cabins made of bamboo and tree branches. And because the property is sprawling, some of the cabins are a 10-15 minute walk from the main lodge area, which was inconvenient and difficult to do with suitcases.
The staff at both lodges was fantastic, though, and helpful at all times. Viva was also helpful in planning the trip, and answered all questions ahead of time. Highly recommend using Viva for a South African safari, but I would keep expectations regarding accommodations a bit low.
it was a very nice experience at tremisana, great time and guides, marc’s much less nice
it is all pretty good, especially at tremisana was fantastic, amazing rangers and professional guides..lovely experience! marc’s was pretty poor