Experience Happy Escapes
Santaviva
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2014)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $75 to $3,100 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Alicia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Customer oriented, friendly, knowledgeable.
Ivan was easy to reach and responded quickly to any questions or concerns we had. The value was outstanding especially considering the price of the park fee is the majority of the price. Definitely a dream trip, and Santaviva helped us achieve it!
Email Lois | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Santaviva is a reliable and professional tour company.
From start to finish, our experience with Santaviva for our trip to Zanzibar was excellent.
Communication was clear and responsive from the very beginning, and any changes were always communicated in time. All our questions were answered by Ritah, and the itinerary was well explained in advance, which made planning easy and reassuring.
Hotel pick-ups were always on time, transfers to and from the airport were seamless, and the schedule was respected throughout our stay. We felt well taken care of at every stage by our transport coordinator, Mathias.
The tours themselves were well organized and enjoyable. We visited Mnemba Island, Stone Town, Prison Island, and Baraka Aquarium. While we missed swimming with dolphins due to weather conditions, this was well communicated and handled professionally. The guides were kind, patient, and very knowledgeable, adding great value through their explanations of local history and culture.
Overall, the experience offered great value for money given the quality of service, organization, and attention to detail. We would confidently recommend this operator to anyone visiting Zanzibar.
Email Julia | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Exceptional service with follow up throughout the trip. Not usual for an agent to have that care
My trip to bwindi was exceptional best services ..
Email Sarah Harmer | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Attentive and Adaptable Tour Operator
Ivan was great at tailoring our trip to what we wanted and needed. He made the travel smooth and easy. We had a great experience and loved every minute of our trip!
CH
Email Bernard | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Santaviva - very attentive, knowledgeable and friendly guide with good local connections.
Ivan was our guide and the entire trip was very well organized and performed. It already started with the straightforward and swift communication during the phase of evaluation and selection. Ivan was always very responsive. During the trip we were very well guided and Ivan was always here for us and supported our family in all aspects. We felt very safe, welcome and comfortable during the trip. Thank you so much 😊
ES
Email Luis | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
excellent trip through Uganda
Excellent professional, super attentive to every detail, taking photos of us, perfect experience, very polite and respectful, thank you for this incredible tour and the great experience we had in Uganda.
Email Corey | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Small touches, local restaurants, hidden stops, flexible timing made the tour feel personal.
Ivan handled the logistics, Ambrose handled the wheel. We did gorillas in Bwindi and safari + chimp trekking in Queen Elizabeth. Schedules were tight, communication was straight, and the ride felt safe and smooth. Zero hassles—would book again.
BE
Email Pauline | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderfull experience
Ivan helped us arrange the permits to see the gorillas. Communication was very easy. I'm very grateful for the help and would recommend him to anyone. Ivan, thank you so much.
Email Jon D | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Ivan was brilliant!
The reason we wanted to come to Uganda was to see the Gorillas. However, we faced a problem as our younger child was below the mandatory age (15) for trekking. We found Ivan on the internet and he was super efficient at sorting our permits for us - with a special dispensation from UWA for our youngest to also trek. Without Ivan our trip wouldn't have got off the ground, and for that we are eternally grateful!
Dealing with an agent abroad provides a degree on uncertainty and insecurity, but I was quickly reassured through my dealings with Ivan that I wouldn't need to worry - he was extremely prompt and thorough in his responses and provided documentation and receipts every step of the way.
We organised the Gorilla trekking through Ivan as part of a bigger trip to Uganda that we had organised ourselves. Once we got to Kisoro, Ivan arranged to meet us and briefed us on what to expect from the trekking the following day. He then accompanied us on the trip, to and from Rushaga Gate.
(The trekking was of course amazing!!)
I would thoroughly recommend Ivan as trustworthy, attentive and a significant safe pair of hands - plus a very nice guy!
Thank you Ivan for helping provide a life memory for me and my family!
ME
Email Nadia Olson | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
First time in Uganda with an experienced and knowledgeable tour guide, Ivan
We were with Ivan as our driver and guide for 9 days. We visited Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable, Lake Majuro National Parks. Ivan was very professional, knowledgeable, competent and capable. He helped us organize our hotels, permits, the games drive and boat trips. He ensured our safety and everything was very well organized and take care of. We are very pleased with the results. Ivan is a safe driver, a friendly companion and helpful in many ways. This is a wonderful trip for an overview of Uganda.
