Experience Happy Escapes
Santaviva
- Office 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
US
Email George | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Enthusiastic, welcoming, and customer-oriented- absolutely incredible trip management!
I contacted Santaviva on short notice (less than a week) for a gorilla trekking 1 day trip in Mgahinga National Park last month. At first, given the timing of my trip and requirements, I wasn't certain whether I'd have the chance to go Almost immediately Ivan responded, with information about logistics, availability, and answered every question I had about what to expect on the journey. The price he quoted was well within my budget and far lower than all of the other tour operators I contacted for both Uganda and Rwanda. Ivan's candidness and experience made me comfortable booking without hesitation! Website was easy to navigate as well, and the trekking permit arrived right on time.
The day before my tour was to begin, I was taking a public bus from Kigali, Rwanda and was somewhat delayed. It was quite nerve-racking thinking I might not make it to the border before closing time, but Ivan gave me detailed instructions on how to optimize my time and I was able to make it just before the gates closed. Am extremely grateful for his above-and beyond customer service here and his guidance- he was waiting for me at the border crossing ready to go back to the hotel right away! Accommodations at Santaviva are comfortable and spacious, with a private bathroom, lounge and built-in restaurant (excellent Rolex and tea for breakfast!) Went to bed excited for the day ahead.
The day of the adventure, Ivan drove me through the verdant Kisoro countryside, pointing out local landmarks as well as the impressive Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Muhabura volcanoes. He walked us up the hill to the trailhead and gave me plenty of tips of what to expect in the Gorilla's domain. The trail to see the Gorilla family in Mgahinga passed through thick brush at times and was somewhat steep, but absolutely manageable within 1 hour. The experience seeing a family with two silverbacks, adult female, juveniles and even an infant interacting, playing with each other, feeding and showing affection was absolutely BREATHTAKING and perhaps the highlight of my two week East Africa trip! It was everything I had dreamed of and even more.
Upon return from the hike around 12:30, Ivan drove us back directly to the border and sent me off with a fond farewell, allowing me plenty of time to make the bus back to Rwanda and my flight home. I cannot recommend him and his company, Santaviva, enough for their efforts in allowing me to have the smoothest, most enjoyable experience possible! It was truly awe-inspiring in every sense of the word, and I was most impressed with the hospitality and attention to detail him and his family showed me during my brief time in Uganda. Will absolutely recommend him for any size group or trip if you have dreams of a fantastic wildlife safari, Gorilla or otherwise, in the region.
Email Brett | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic!
INQUIRE HERE FOR GORRILLA TREKKING!! Do yourself a favour and ask for Ivan- we are an Australian couple who contacted Santaviva while we were home and enquired about Gorrilla trekking. Ivan responded straight away with a Whattsapp phone number and assisted us promptly and professionally and guided us thoroughly to be able to book a small tour with a very good price! He has been very helpful with all of our questions throughout our trip, helped us book bus tickets and we had a great tour and stay in Kisoro! Don’t pay big money for a big tour company when you can help support local people like Ivan, Santaviva and his wonderful staff at his guest house. I can’t recommend his services more! Payment is secured via invoice and everything was easy and convenient and we loved our stay! Please take our word for it- everything has been so great!
JP
Email Kuni | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very friendly
Very comfortable and very good breakfast + good coffee. Room was so nice and relax.
Email SBK | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very committed to offer tye best ser
Dear Santaviva,
Thank you for making our family visit to Dubai the best experience.
All your team members gave ua the best service all through keeping time and ensuring we are happy.
IE
Email Damien | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Above and beyond
Stayed here for 4 nights in Santaniva hotel as I wanted to do the gorillas trek. Ivan helped me out a lot pretty much took care of everything. We even got to stop on the way to the gorillas to watch the sunrise between the mountains which is always a plus. They explained everything very well from the cost of the permit to where the money goes. Highly recommend going to Ivan if you are considering doing the gorillas trek
Professional
Grateful to Santaviva for all their support, in proposing, following through and coordinating our trip. You made an effort to ensure that you found the most decent packages for the family, within the budget that we could afford. Thank you Ritah for coordinating and checking on us through it all
Email Irene | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Efficient.
Thank you for making our trip efficient and memorable.I highly recommend you Rita and your team.Asante.
Email Joy & Emmanuel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent people skills!
My partner and I enjoyed our 3 day gorilla trekking trip with Santaviva. Ivan, our tour guide has very impeccable people skills. He is warm, is a great communicator and is very reliable which made us feel at ease.
The tour was amazing! very thrilling adventure and worth every penny.
Thank you Ivan for your professionalism.
Our driver for the trip was amazing too!
Happy Holidays:)
Detail orientated adventure with great memories to cherish
I wanted gorillas. Ever since I knew about Rwanda gorilla tours I wanted one. I asked for a quote and Ivan called me and informed me of the price difference between the Ugandan and Rwandan gorilla permit. So Uganda it was.
Ivan advised on the best airport to fly into (kigali), helped with my visa issue, and introduced me in his gentle way to his corner of Africa. I loved that our stopover in Kisoro was his family’s holiday home. Steeped in personal historical anecdotes was what I really wanted in a guide, he gave me an authentic taste of Uganda. Also he quickly got to know what I needed (assistance with walking / hiking, getting key shots for my travel photography) and applied it to each day.
I don’t normal self fund my travels so being on a budget away from work travels was such a wonderful eye opener. Every accommodation excelled in cleanliness, service including and especially Ivan’s own hotel.
In total we spent five days together; gorillas, lake bunyoni (please do two days here on your travels), batwa tour, lake kivu. I was saddened to leave Ivan when he dropped me off in kigali. He really does care about the delivery of his service and personalised my tour every step of the way.
Africa is not cheap (in comparison to say SE Asia, India etc) but Ivan made it as efficient as possible without losing my need for a personal tour. I can’t recommend enough.
TW
Email Chung | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing host and tour arrangement
I stayed at Motel Santaviva for 4 days and did Gorilla trekking. Ivan was an amazing and warm host. He provided helpful tourist information and transportation for me. The price of tour is also affordable since in am a solo traveler. The gorilla tour was really well arranged even I booked it just two days before. Thanks for Ivan. I really have had great time during gorilla trekking and my stay at Kisoro. Highly recommended if you are going to visit Uganda.
