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:
- $78 to $193 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
Email Grace | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Premier Park Experience
Our lodge was ideally situated and the staff were friendly and helpful. Willy who drove us around for our early morning and evening drives was excellent and engaging with a great sense of humour. Overall phenomenal experience! Thank you!
Fantastic introduction to africa
To begin my extended trip through Southern Africa I signed up for the 4 day Kruger Park tented safari. I was very glad Viva safari was able to accommodate my last minute change of pick up places when my flight was delayed by 24 hours. The night drive and broma was special and I learnt so much from the knowledgable guides about animal behaviour and how to identify them by their dung and tracks on the early morning bush walk. The wonderful accommodation, food and service at Katekani camp was greatly appreciated after a dusty day viewing wildlife. Thanks for a great safari
All staff were very friendly and personable, helping to create a memorable experience.
All staff were very friendly and personable, helping to create a memorable experience. Everyone went out of their way to make sure you enjoyed yourself. Well done.
Email dene | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
fantastic experience,well looked after.always felt safe..every need accounted for .Mr brai is a gem.
Great service .well organized. All above expectations
US
Email Greg Cunningham | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5-day Viva Safari in Tremisana Lodge near Kruger
Our 5-day safari at Tremisana Lodge near Kruger Natl Park exceeded expectations for my wife and I. Our trip started with a flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg, where we stayed the night at a comfortable but inexpensive Safari Lodge near the airport which Viva Safaris helped us to reserve. The next morning we had a 6-hour drive to Tremisana that was part of the package, arriving at the Lodge in the late afternoon. That evening we went on a 3-hour night drive where we saw a black-backed jackal mother (with cubs in a nearby termite mound), elephants (mothers and children), and numerous impala (the fast food of the bush). The following morning we went on a 'bush walk' just after sunrise where our guide, Rex, and his partner, Elias, tracked a black rhinoceros and her 2-year old daughter. Rex predicted that the rhinos would be near our jeep when we returned there an hour later, and, sure enough, they were happily munching twenty feet off the road upon our return. We were so close we could see them use their protuberances to strip the leaves off the branches, hear them chew the vegetation, and see the young rhino communicate with her mother in response to our presence. Prior to returning to the jeep we had seen a group of hippos next to several crocodiles in the river, and a troop of baboons across the river. Rex and Elias also showed us some of the 'little five' along our hike, and their communication with the group while tracking the rhinos at a distance truly enhanced the experience. During the middle of the day we enjoyed the small pool and lounging chairs, interacting with other guests from around the world. During the evenings of our stay we regularly went on drives, and saw many different types of animals, including giraffe, kudu, duiker, impala, steenbok, mongoose, hyena and others, often with their young. We were astounded how much wildlife there was considering how badly the drought seemed to be affecting the vegetation, but the lack of vegetation made seeing the animals easier, I think. Other highlights of the trip were the full day we spent in Kruger, where we saw small herds of wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, impala, Cape buffalo, a pride of lions with the alpha female protecting a recent kill, a recent impala kill stored for safekeeping in a tree by a leopard, a lounging leopard under a tree just 30 feet from the jeep, and many other amazing sitings. We also enjoyed our visit to the Maholoholo Sanctuary, where we learned about the devastating impact that modern civilization has on these magnificent creatures and we enjoyed petting an 'ambassador' cheetah, feeding the vultures and watching an adult male lion take raw meat from our guide. Our trip to the private game reserve Tshukudu was also very enjoyable as we got within 50 feet of a pride of lions napping in a dry river bed. The male and female roared in response to the engine noise of our jeep. We saw a baby hippo with its protective mother in one of the water holes there as the sun set. On our farewell drive the morning of our departure, we experienced a poignant moment when we saw four lion cubs, one of whom had somehow gotten on the 'wrong side of the fence' and was chuffing at her litter mates. The three that were on our side of the fence were in obvious distress at the fact that their litter mate was separated from them, and all four were communicating with each other. Despite the immense size of Kruger Natl Park, which Tremisana Lodge is adjacent too without any fencing separating the two areas, this experience reminded us that habitat loss is one of the major problems facing the many species we encountered during our stay. Overall, we thought that Viva Safaris provided us with a terrific experience for a very affordable price. We enjoyed the breakfasts and dinners prepared by the kitchen staff that were served outdoors, with a troop of velvet monkeys playing amongst themselves and often attempting to play with the guests, the warthogs and yellow hornbills eating the leftover fruit disposed of by the staff just outside the protective fence, and a curious genet exploring the area around our dinner one evening. Everyone we talked to who was on safari with us wished we could stay 'just one more day' because every day yielded something unexpected and memorable. We appreciated all the hard work from the staff at Viva Safaris and felt like we had made a lasting connection with many of them; we can't wait to visit again!
US
Email The Johnson's | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Wonderful Safari Adventure from A to Z (A-mazing A-nimals to Zzz's great lodges)!
Viva Safaris exceeded all of our expectations! It was so wonderful that Viva Safaris picked us up from our home in Johannesburg and provided travel all the way to and back from the safari. The drivers were friendly and very professional. The group had a great lunch on the ride there and back and the opportunity for great photo ops at the beautiful Blyde River Canyon! The stay at both lodges was fantastic... beautiful scenery, clean comfortable rooms, delicious meals and a wonderful staff. All of the safari adventures were exciting. The animal sightings during the spotlighting tour was a bit scarce, but the entire experience was still wonderful, and we saw all of the Big Five the next day at the Kruger Park safari tour! The only thing I would change is not staying for one more night. :) Money very well spent! We can't wait to come back!
Email Stuart Taylor | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing
The tour itself was really amazing. I had problems with Piero with my bookings before hand though. Paid the deposit and he continuously failed to reply to my emails regarding securing the booking stating he never received the deposit. However after he rejected my calls he sent me somebody else's number who resolved the issue weeks later. The tour itself was amazing. Our whole group loved it. Shout out to Victor who is such a legend. Always happy and helpful. All the staff on safari were great. Bus drivers to kitchen staff.. everyone was amazing.
NL
Email Joop | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great and memorable experience
Were a party of 5 (2 eldery and 3 young people) and did a 5 day Lodge/Treehouse safari.
Our stay in Tremisana and Marc's Tree house Lodge was outstanding. we didn't know what to expect when we made our reservation, but it realy was far above and beyond our expectations.
Every aspect of the safari was a great experience and we hope to come back one day.
The safari's in were thrilling and overwhelming. Visiting the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre was a confronting experience. While visiting the wonderful aninmals during the safari's we felt so lucky to be able to watch them, but in the rehab centre we were made very clear that this might an utopia in the future. Animals got killed and tortured. This is terrible.
In the rehab centre they do a great job.
The Tshukudu Game Drive was the best way to end our safari experience.
Tremisana Lodge and Marcs Treehouse Lodge are great places to stay, but the best part of our 5 day safari experience were the great people that accomodated us during these 5 days. They made it possible for us to create a memorable experience.
While back at home we do really miss it.
Email Harry | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
6 Day Kruger Safari
I decided to travel last minute to South Africa and I am so pleased that I picked to travel with Viva Safaris. As I was by myself, I was slightly apprehensive about the trip however the guides and drivers of Viva made me feel so welcome - as did the wonderful group of travelers I managed to meet on various game drives. The trip was really well organised - would thoroughly recommend!
Email Josie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful Trip with Viva Safaris
Tremisana Lodge
We stayed here one night as part of our Viva Safari's tour. We felt welcomed, the food was lovely and the guides were super. The bush walk, fantastic! The best thing about this stay was Tanya, the warden. Her knowledge of the animals and the reserve was spot on. She didn't just look out for the Big 5 like every other guide, but showed us exactly what we asked to see.
Marc's Camp - Treehouse
Welcoming staff, well cooked local food, well organised excursions, cheap bar!
A good trip for young couples of a budget, also idea for single travelers.
It is potluck which room you are given on arrival. They vary in size, some are with en-suite some you have venture outside to the loo. We were very lucky with room 7. Ideal sport for views and en-suite.
Can be creepy at night, you can hear the hyenas calling walking in the dark to your room! We also head a lepoard kill and eat a monkey at 2am.
Not a luxury stay, but a once in a lifetime experience and we thoroughly enjoyed it. All the basic needs are met, comfortable, warm showers and hot food.
TIP - if going in the winter, take LOTS of layers. It is COLD at night.