Viva Safaris team look forward to seeing you soon!
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 $194 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 Ankush Darade | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Safari Adventure Like No Other
Absolutely unforgettable experience with Viva Safari and Tremisana Lodge! From the moment we booked, the team was professional, responsive, and passionate about delivering an exceptional safari adventure. Our guide Smily, Mark and Rocky, were knowledgeable and took us on an incredible journey through the stunning landscapes of Kruger National Park and Surrounding private big 5 reserves. Spotting majestic lions, graceful giraffes, and playful elephants, Cape Buffalo and Leopard in their natural habitat was truly exhilarating. The accommodations were comfortable, and the meals were delicious. Highly recommend this operator for their expertise, safety, and commitment to sustainable tourism. Can't wait to plan our next adventure with them!"
Email Nicole | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
You must book! Big 5 within 24 hours!
Wow wow wow. Viva Safaris you are a dream! Big 5 within 24 hours!!! I travelled as a solo young female and I honestly couldn’t have felt safer and couldn’t recommend this safari experience more if I tried—it was absolutely incredible from start to finish. Tremisana Lodge and Balule Nature Reserve completely exceeded all expectations; it truly felt like the heart of the wild. We saw more wildlife in Balule than we did in Kruger National Park itself—elephants strolling past during breakfast, hyenas lurking nearby at dinner, and so many unforgettable sightings in between. Wild dogs, rhinos, lions, leopards, a cheetah close by and more!
Every detail was so thoughtfully taken care of. From the cozy blankets on those chilly morning game drives to the way all dietary needs were perfectly catered for, it was clear how much care goes into making guests feel comfortable and at home. The whole experience ran so smoothly thanks to the amazing organization by Educate—everything was seamless, and we always felt safe, informed, and totally immersed in nature. It was the trip of a lifetime, and I’m beyond grateful.
Luke, Smiley, and Victor were the absolute best guides during my Viva Safari adventure! Their passion, knowledge, and energy made every moment unforgettable—from the early morning game drives to the full Kruger days. Luke’s wisdom and knowledge on the drives and bush walks, Andy’s sharp eye, Smiley’s contagious laughter, and Victor’s deep understanding of the bush brought the whole experience to life. I couldn’t have asked for a better trio—they made it magical!
I will be returning!!!!
Email Micky and Sara | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A brilliant tour operator that provides the best bespoke safaris with the best team!!
What can I say. The six day safari with Viva Safaris been extraordinary from start to finish! We’ve stayed in all sorts of accommodation from tree houses to rustic lodges. We’ve eaten superb African food including a wonderful Bush BBQ. We’ve been on sunset and sunrise drives, bush walks and full day safaris in Kruger. We’ve been so well looked after by a mass of the loveliest drivers, guides and chefs. We’ve been joined on our adventures by a lovely motley crew of people from around the world! We’ve seen a plethora of beautiful animals and birds and reptiles in their natural habitats!! We’ve been to the incredible Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre where they care for injured and sick wildlife across Kruger and wherever possible make them better and return them to the wild.
We will never forget these few days. We just feel so lucky!!! A few names to mention in particular: Rocky, Victor and Andy. Sharl, Ed, Sinky, Mandler and Margaret. And all the ladies who looked after us at all three lodges!
Thank you Viva!! We would totally recommend you!!! Micky and Sara
ES
Email Peio Sagastigordia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very suitable for any budget and the Balule reserve is amazing.
With Viva Safaris you can have all the experiences that exist on a safari, or almost all of them. We went in August, and on the first day we had almost seen the Big 5.
The treatment of the people is spectacular, both the guides and the staff at the camps.
It is true that we missed a little more time with the animals, or walking a little more on the bushwalk, but I imagine that the rules have something to do with these decisions.
I am very happy to have chosen them as my first experience in Africa. I am looking forward to returning, and I do not rule out doing it with them.
Thanks to the entire Viva Safari team, from Bilbao.
Esti and Peio
IN
Email Dr. Faisal Daud | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Memorable...
There are so many things to articulate but if I had to condense it into something a little more concise, I would say that Tremisana felt like home: warm, welcoming and breathtaking. Educate was the perfect host, not to forget an all-rounder, taking care of everything the best he could, immaculately and with joviality. We also thank the ever-smiling and amiable Nyarai, who always went out of her way to help us out whenever we needed it. Naideen's presence during the excursions was a mood-booster.
Lastly, we had to HAD TO mention Mark and Luke. Being fervent wildlife enthusiasts, we travel all over the globe to catch glimpses of wilderness's marvels, but Mark and Luke made our experience in Tremisana exceptionally beautiful and immersive: Mark, with his evergreen charm and passion, and Luke, with his determination and expertise. Mark made the safaris vividly memorable for us and Luke made the bushwalk into perhaps one of the most exhilarating and educational experiences we've ever had. Our family is absolutely in awe of them, and we really miss them a lot. Their zeal for wildlife, their brilliant knowledge and their sheer will to show us the animals enamored us, especially my eldest son.
And though we couldn't see some of the predators we wanted to (but don't worry we saw EVERYTHING else, loads of elephants, impalas, greater kudus, spotted hyenas, lionesses including atleast 20 rhinos overall) their indomitable efforts made the trip memorable and worth it.
We would, however like to mention that we wish the safari hours in Kruger were managed to make the driving hours longer, since the park opens at 5:30 am and closes at 6:30 pm. This is because the overall driving hours are tapered into a mere 6-hour drive because of a number of delays in-between, which could be slightly underwhelming for safari enthusiasts like us, who want to keep the expedition going.
We also think that the overall experience could be improved a little if the dining options were increased a little more then what was available. But other then that Mama B's tender smile and delicious Mac 'n' cheese made us very happy.
Tremisana and Viva Safaris made this experience a very memorable and nostalgic one, and we thank them for it.
Regards,
Dr. Faisal Daud
PS- Luke and Mark should also thank us as they got to see so many rhinos on the safaris because of us 😝
Email Rachel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience, great value for money. Sad to leave
I did the 6 days 5 nights recently. I booked with Viva Safaris due to the volume of positive reviews on these sites. I can confirm that the good reviews are justified. They had a varied itinerary that kept you busy and allowed you to have a good chance at seeing as many animals as possible. The guides were really friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The rooms were good and they kept us well fed throughout the trip each day. I was sad to leave and would love to return in the future.
IT
Email MT | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience!
We were very happy with the choice, the lodges were comfortable, great meals and service, we even had some unexpected visits from some animals that came to drink near the lodge.
Game drives took place both in the Balule Reserve and in Kruger NP. The experience was wonderful, with lots of encounters with animals, thanks also to our wonderful guides who took turns on the various game drives, in particular Rocky, who accompanied us on two wonderful full days at KNP (with a fantastic rhino sighting!!), Ray and Marc, who took turns on the drives at Balule and the bush walk and gave us all sorts of informations on the animals and the nature around.
Email Mary | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent
The tour guides went out their way to find as much game as possble. They were always full of fun and gave us such a wonderful time out looking for game, especially the leopard,which we never saw.
Email Dea | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our tour guides were above amazing
What an amazing experience with knowledgeable, fun and caring tour guides we had Rocky, Smiley and Lucky. Cannot speak highly of them enough, what an amazing experience made by these wonderful people. What an asset to this company. These amazing tour guides and the beautiful and talented wait staff, mama D, Bell and Sophia, and all the ladies, loved our experience and we loved our time with you. Thank you so much. they are all the true gems of Africa join these beautiful people and have a fabulous experience like we did.
Email Abby | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very professional and helpful with all needs and questions
We are just back from a 3 day safari trip using viva safaris, any questions or needs I had sent via email got replied to extremely fast which was very helpful and professional, during the safari the food was great, accommodation was great, the staff were very welcoming it felt homley ( which is needed especially if you are travelling far it’s refreshing to have friendly faces) during the safari we got a good amount of knowledge about the animals. Definitely recommend this company. I also left something personal behind at the lodge and the staff have been extremely helpful in helping getting this item returned to me which I extremely appreciate! This shows the staff at viva safari care about you as a person throughout the experience and afterwards also!
