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:
- $81 to $200 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
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Email Gabriela | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This was my first safari and it was beyond amazing, outstanding staff service, everything was lovely
This safari was my first time ever going to a safari, also traveling by myself all the way from Florida, USA. I couldn’t be more satisfied with all the details and service Viva Safaris offered to me. The lodge was absolutely amazing, the room was super clean and great AC. The food was beyond amazing from breakfast to dinner, everything had a special touch. The game drivers were so knowledgeable and friendly. Honestly, this was by far the best hospitality service I had in years. They also picked me up and drop me off with a shuttle from the airport I’ve chosen to arrived, the ride was smooth and the driver was very nice, made a few stops which it was great since it’s a long drive. I definitely see myself coming back to South Africa sometime again and especially to the safari by Viva Safaris.
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Email Nichole | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari experience until we discovered we were robbed.
Great safari experience, we saw the Big 5. Accommodations and food were as you would expect for the price point. We stayed one night in Tremesana and two nights at Marc's Treehouse. Ivy and Pretty were fantastic hosts. The only reason I am giving this two stars is because we discovered after leaving Marc's Treehouse that almost $600 (yes, I know we shouldn't have had that much on us) was missing from our wallets. We were not informed that cleaning people would be entering our rooms to make the bed and that is likely when it happened. So make sure to keep your money or valuables on you at all times.
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Email Ronna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Mixed bag but overall disappointed
We went on a 4 day, 3 night Marc's treehouse lodge. The first night was at Tremisana Lodge, we had a sunset drive and a dinner at the boma. This experience was fine. The lodge is budget, so it's nothing fancy but it's sufficient for what we needed. The second day we went on a bush walk, which was ok but one bush walk on the trip is more than enough. It was good to stretch our legs but otherwise it was not really value added to our experience. Then we sat around the lodge for 5 hours doing absolutely nothing...this was frustrating since we paid so much money to be on game drives and having more opportunities to see the animals. Logistically this was terrible scheduling and a waste of my time and money. In the evening we went on a short 90 minute drive and then were transferred to Marc's Treehouse lodge. The treehouse lodge was a cool experience, we really enjoyed the lodge. The staff were helpful and knowledgeable. The day we were scheduled to be in Kreuger park was very frustrating. We know that you cannot control the animals and it's always a game of chance when looking for them. What you can control is when you are in the park and making sure you're there at the best times possible - which is sunrise and sunset. We did not get to the park until after 10am which is when most of the predators are resting for the day - hence we saw NO cats on our day in Kreuger. The final day was a short bush walk (which was not any value added and we wished we could have spent that time doing something else) and our transfer back to Johannesburg with a stop in the Blyde River Canyon which was beautiful. We were back to Johannesburg OR Tambo airport in good timing, just before 5pm.
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Email Bala | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent! A very authentic, professional and genuinely friendly experience, and delivers!
In one word we loved the experience. The staff were very prompt during booking, and throughout the tour. We left behind a camera and some documents when we departed and they were amazingly helpful in returning them to us by courier. Regarding the tour itself, the staff are very knowledgeable about the terrain, animals and so on and the organizational aspects were top class. We stayed at Katekani largely and we just loved it. It’s very private, has exceptional luxury level living arrangements, and the food was freshly prepared and served everyday to a very small group of us staying there which was a bonus in itself. The safari tours were fantastic. We saw all the animals except the elusive leopard and many birds at close quarters. The bush walk experience was fabulous - not something offered by all safari tours. In sum, Viva safari more than lived up to expectations!
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!
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Email Rick and Tori | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fabulous time was had, great ground and driving tours of South Africa nature land.
The service was excellent and the staff friendly and accomodating. The treehouse and lodge were comfortable and in a great location. Time was well organized and gave full days but never rushed. The only criticism could be that in winter the treehouses were too cold.
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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.
CA
Email Klaus | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Truly priceless experience. Thank you!
Viva Safaris establishments, amenities, food, services and their friendly team members exceeded our expectations during our stay at Tremisana Lodge and Marcs Treehouse Lodge. Patti was very helpful when we booked our safari.
NZ
Email Heidi F. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Friendly staff, excellent customer service and well-organised
Viva Safaris exceeded my expectations in terms of friendliness, great customer service and being a well-organised 3 night safari. The email communications to confirm booking and arrangements was great. The staff were able to answer any queries I had via email and a staff member was able to pick us up and drop us off at Hoedspruit airport.
The food was delicious and plentiful, the accommodation was basic, but sufficient and clean. The guides were very friendly and knowledgeable about the animals on our safaris and went out of their way to ensure we got to see some of the Big 5. The drives and walks always left on time and the days were well-planned.
One of the guides, Andy, even went out of his way to go to Hoedspruit Airport after we'd left South Africa to check if a mobile phone had been handed in. I would highly recommend Viva Safaris for an affordable experience in the Kruger National Park.
¡Viva, Viva Safari!
With my family we took the 4 days safari adventure and we has a blast!!
-Viva safari picked us up and drop us off on time! Which made our trip super efficient!!
-Accommodation: clean and confortable. The lodge is super pretty with a little pool and gardens. You will see some friendly (and hungry) visitors too!
-Staff very friendly and helpful. Always with a smile a whiling to make you feel at home. It will be hard to forget Shannon's fun rides!
-Activities: the schedule is well thought there are times to rest, for adventures and to share with other visitors.
-Food: very good. A fine mix of African and international. Thumbs up! specially because we're picky eaters.
Some tips!
-Bring your plug adaptor!
-Bring some warm clothes, it might rain and it could get cold.
-Be open to meet new people and have amazing conversations!