Reviews

Sort By: Date Most Helpful 21-30 of 263 Reviews
Sophie   –  
Germany DE
Visited: April 2019 Reviewed: Mar 22, 2020

Email Sophie  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Perfect trip, unforgettable memories
5/5

Everything was wonderful. I got fetched up at the airport in Johannesburg, then spend one night at Tremisana, where I had a wonderful time, with nice people, amazing night safari, braii in the bush and special morning bush walk with "Hakuna Matata". What an awesome man!

The next day we went to Marc's Tree House, where I spend the rest of my trip (4 nights). The stuff is great and the food very tasty. It was so fun to meet some nyalas on your way to the breakfast. The tree houses are stylish if you don't matter with some bugs. :D. and the loud silence in the night is unforgettable!!!

While my safari tours, I have seen a big variety of animals, espacially the cheethas have been great, I will never forget how I felt, sitting in the open vehicle and watching these big cats eating an impala...
All in all I had a perfect trip!!! Thank you so much!

Lee   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: August 2019 Reviewed: Mar 13, 2020

Email Lee  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Well organised,excellent guides/staff,good accommodation
5/5

From the moment we inquired about a Safari Holiday with Viva Safaris everything was taken care of, cannot recommend them enough, if you're looking for a Safari in the Kruger,look no further than Viva Safaris

Matt   –  
United States US
Visited: August 2019 Reviewed: Mar 11, 2020

Email Matt  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Fantastic Safari
5/5

First time to South Africa. Absolutely Fantastic.
August. Few, if no, mosquitoes. We didn't use mosquito nets. No problem.
Animal sightings were great during the day. The Guides were super animal finders. Dress cool weather in the morning. Open cars, lots of wind. Bring buff, knit cap, good jacket, it rained one day. It warmed up nicely during the day, low 60's F.
The walks with the guide, loved the walks, getting close to the dirt and trees, and river. No animal sightings on the walks.
The night drives and night animal searches: Not that great. Few, random animals. The best at night was a stop to look at stars.
The food at Marc's Tree house: EXCELLENT. The dinner and breakfast were great.
The food you buy in Kruger Park: use the convenient store. Prices are very good, and lines are quick. Restaurants in Park take too long. You will be late.
I had to be a little flexible with my rooms. The staff switched rooms on us twice. I didn't care, I took whatever room, and it turned out great.
Mahalo halo animal rescue center was EXCELLENT.



Jim   –  
United States US
Visited: July 2019 Reviewed: Jul 14, 2019

Email Jim  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Fantastic People, Fantastic Service, Fantastic Value!
5/5

I went alone on a 4-day Safari to Tremisana and Marc's Treehouse Lodges. Collette, at Tremisana, was a wonderful host. It was a pleasure to sit down with her and talk about our experiences and her life in South Africa. She said, "My job is to make people smile. If you're not smiling, I'm not doing my job." That philosophy played out at Tremisana. The food, accommodations, grounds, staff, and excursions were all better than I expected, and I expected them to be very good. I especially enjoyed having breakfast with our guides and the informal interactions I had with my "Safari Family"--young people from all over the world with whom I shared the experience.

At Marc's Treehouse lodge, Pretty, our host, was just that, inside and out. Her sense of humor and attention to service made our stay comfortable and joyful.

Food at both lodges was simple, but excellent. The accommodations at both places were what I consider to be perfect for a safari (I don't plan to stay inside my room much. I want to be out interacting with people and with nature). It was a bit more spartan at Marc's treehouse lodge, but not by much. The sounds of lions across the river, and the baboons and birds at sunrise provided the perfect ambience. The beds were comfortable, the linens clean and fresh, and the decor, soothing.

Our game drives and guided walks were amazing! We saw all big 5, took fantastic pictures, and walking got us a more intimate look at the environment and the animal's and humans' interaction with it. Our guides were knowledgable and friendly, and they really took care of us well.

Finally, transportation and logistics were excellent. Everything was just as advertised and though South African time (and tourist time) can be different from that specified in the agenda, the drivers, hosts, staff and guides were flexible and we all felt like we got the most amazing bargain out of all the safaris we could have booked. I highly recommend Viva Safaris, and both Tremisana and Marc's Treehouse Lodge for your next adventure.

Steve   –  
United States US
Visited: April 2019 Reviewed: May 5, 2019

Email Steve  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Outstanding experience!
5/5

Our group of 5 had a wonderful safari with Viva. We did the 6-day/5-night at Tremisana and Marc's Treehouse, and thoroughly enjoyed our trip from beginning to end. We were picked up at our Johannesburg guest house on time, driven to Tremisana in a comfortable vehicle, and kept informed of activities and schedules every step of the way. We had two outstanding game drives in Kruger, as well as in two private game reserves, and a really interesting visit to the Moholoholo Rehabilitation facility. The food was both good and plentiful, and our accommodations were comfortable. The trip exceeded our expectations, and we would not hesitate to recommend Viva. You should, however, make sure you understand the different levels of accommodations they offer. Marc's Treehouse is quite rustic, and is in the bush. Wild animals wander through camp, and we were visited by both frogs and geckos in our ensuite bathroom. The treehouses aren't insulated, so there's no a/c. As long as your expectations are appropriate, you'll have an amazing time.

Valeria   –  
Uruguay UY
Visited: April 2019 Reviewed: May 2, 2019

Email Valeria  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

FANTASTIC ADVENTURE WITH VIVA SAFARIS
5/5

We had a fantastic experience with Viva Safaris. We hired Tremisana 4 days and it really was the adjusted thing, although we were left wanting for a few more days (especially my daughter). All the planned activities were as they were offered by Viva Safaris. Excellent punctuality, guides, food and accommodation. I would do it again without a doubt.Thank you to all staff.

Tamas   –  
Hungary HU
Visited: March 2019 Reviewed: Mar 31, 2019

Email Tamas  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Excellent 5 day safari with Viva safaris
5/5

It was an excellent 5 days safari in the big Kruger park and the nearby bush area.
It was organized by Viva safari with excellent way. We picked up at our Johannesburg hotel near the airport (Aviator at Tambo airport) in time.
We had different safaris in different places:
Big Kruger park, bush area near Kruger and private park with difference experience:
Sunset, Sunrise safaris and even a bush walk with two armed guides.
This was much better than a simple visit to Big Kruger park because it was less touristic and gave much more filling of the Wild Africa than a simple visit to the big Kruger park.
We had nice sit on open (non glass windowed) Toyota Land cruisers during our offroad trips with excellent drivers and guides. Guides were continuously communicating each other in the different vehicles to help finding the animals.
We could see the big five and even Leopard cub and Giraffes Kudus, Hippos, Crocs etc.
We stayed at Tremisana lodge which was ok for staying at a the safari.
It was excellent and I recommend this 5 day tour with Viva safaris if you want to smell the experience of wild Africa.

Henri and Denise   –  
Luxembourg LU
Visited: March 2019 Reviewed: Mar 29, 2019

Email Henri and Denise  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Tremedous stay with a very friendly and highly capable staff.
5/5

We have been on the 6 days Safari tour staying in Tremisana lodge. The organisation is absolutely perfect. I wonder how the staff is organizing this challenge because there is a coming and going of visitors every day with different stays and differant Safari trips at also different locations. The guides and drivers are highly professional people who know their job, the driving, nature and wildlife perfectly. At dinner they are sitting and eating together with the guests like a big family. Stories about their professional carrier about wildlife and even their personnel situation and their family are told and there is a real feeling of understanding and sympathy coming up. One guy, called "Yannemann" is a very talentated great storyteller a bit like Hemingway, who tells his adventures in a special, very sympathic way. The food is top, the accomodations rustique but very nice the beds and matraces perfect, equiped with mosquito nets.
What can a tourist expect more ? I really dont know.
From my side and my wife, not a single complain.
Viva Safaris, . . . . one of the top 3 experiences of holidays we ever had in our life.

Gabriela   –  
United States US
Visited: January 2019 Reviewed: Feb 20, 2019

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
5/5

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.

Bala   –  
United States US
Visited: August 2018 Reviewed: Sep 1, 2018

Email Bala  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Excellent! A very authentic, professional and genuinely friendly experience, and delivers!
5/5

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!

Average User Rating
4.9/5
Rating Breakdown
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  • 3 star 2
  • 2 star 6
  • 1 star 0
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