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
Email Andrew | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Overall good experience but very dependent on which safari guide you are given
The tremisana lodge was a little tired and basic (compared to other lodges I've stayed in before).but the staff at the lodge were very friendly and helpful. The Dutch lady (I can't remember her name) who was the manager at the lodge was absolutely lovely and very warm and friendly. The safari guides were very variable. We had a day safari to Kruger with James who was absolutely outstanding. He is the best safari guide I have ever had. He was knowledgeable and worked tirelessly to find wildlife for us. He was truly excellent. I can't recommend him highly enough
Murray, was also an excellent guide and knowledgable and enthusiastic.
We had a morning safari walk with Philip, however, which was very poor indeed. He seemed totally uninterested and the entire morning was very dull and I would not recommend doing this with him.
We also did a sunset drive with Rex. What should have been a nice evening safari drive was ruined by our guide, Rex. He was obviously upset at the vehicle he had been assigned and spent the drive complaining about the organisation of the company and the poor state of the vehicle. We then stopped for a drink to watch the sunset and he spent this entire 30 mins or so complaining to us about viva safaris, their organisation, the staff, the lack of investment and how he had used to work in 5star lodges that were much superior. I found this odd and very unprofessional. If he had an issue with his bosses etc then I would expect him to discuss this directly with them and not spend a few hours moaning to us about it. In summary, I think safaris are good here if you are lucky and get a good guide (James or Murray from my experience). But I would be careful because if given a poor guide in my opinion it can really spoil the safari.
CA
Email Karen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Experience
Going on a safari in Africa has been a dream of mine for many, many years. The choices available are countless. After doing much research, I chose Viva Safaris. Of the options offered, I decided to stay at Tremisana Lodge, and I'm so glad I did. Where to start... The property was exactly what I was expecting... Large, well maintained and authentic. On arrival, I was greeted by at least a dozen monkeys running around the area, a great start! The room itself was spacious, simple and kept very clean. The bed was quite comfortable, a must in my opinion. The food prepared for the guests was tasty and enjoyable. Now, for the best part... The people who work at Tremisana. They made everything perfect. Lianne, master organizer and go to person for anything needed onsite. Pretty (who incidentally fits her name perfectly); the game drive organizer (among other things). The guides: James, Tanya, Bongani and all the other guides who truly go out of their way to make your time in the park sensational. And sensational it was. Way too many sightings to mention, but I do have to mention the last one. On my last morning in the park, James took myself and another guest on an hour tour. Somehow, James noticed footprints in the dusty road and raced to the area he thought the animal the foot prints belonged to would be. Low and behold, we came across the owner of the feet. A mature lion named "Sonof". He was just going about his business calmly and was so close to us, I was able to get at least 50 truly awesome shots including a lion selfie!
If you're debating which safari tour to take, I highly recommend Viva Safaris. It's is the best, bar none when looking at quality/price, (or bang for your buck) and the friendliness of everyone just makes it all the better.
IE
Email Ashley | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Experience with the BEST Staff!!
My cousin and I were recently on the 4 day safari we had such a wonderful experience. Everything was so well organized by Viva Safari, was very clean and professional and the best part was the staff!! They truly made the experience a lasting one. Everyone was so friendly and accommodating and we really felt taken care of.
From my very first inquiry, Patti and Luke were always prompt to reply with great straight forward and detailed information also going above and beyond by offering us help with accommodation in Jo'berg before and after the tour.
Every staff we came in contact with, were so great. We were so well taken care of on premise by Pretty, Bulgoni, Rex, Victor, Maynard and Azale as well as our drivers back and forth to Jo'berg. The accommodation exceeded our expectations by far. We booked a "budget" safari, but there was nothing budget about the tour. We had such a great time, saw more than we anticipated and enjoyed every minute of the Safari!
I couldn't have asked for a better safari and I will be recommending it again to my friends and family! I will def book with Viva Safaris in the future!!
Thank you so much Viva Safaris!
Ashley and Laura
Without question, the experience of my life
Summer 2016 I will remember for the rest of my life. I spent part of my Summer in Tremisana Lodge (Viva Safaris) and, as the title says, it has been the experience of my life. From the first day the staff members made my stay feel like home, guides where undoubtedly qualified, and I learnt a whole lot about animals thanks to them. I had the chance of experiencing the bush whilst working in it. Animal sightings where non-stop, and proof of this is the Lapa, a sort of exterior dining room that had a view to a small pond where animals would come for a drink. Kruger Park guides where exceptional: I went to Kruger Park twice and had sightings of the Big Five both times.
As a conclusion, Viva Safaris provides fantastic attention from the personnel, guides that can almost guarantee amazing viewing of game, and beautiful lodges to enhance the bush experience.
BE
Email Koen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable safari experience
Thanks to vivasafaris we had a splendid week of safari in greater Kruger. Booking and e-mail contact went really smoothly. Every question was answered quickly. On arrival in Johannesburg we had a delay and missed our shuttle organised by vivasafaris. It only needed a simple phone call to hq of vivasafaris and a new shuttle was arranged. Our stay in Katekani tented lodge was unforgettable ! The hosts and staff did everything to make our stay unforgettable. Day trips and safari excursions were organized very well. Drivers and guides were super friendly , motivated and well educated.
We really enjoyed our first travel to Kruger and would recommend Vivasafaris to everybody who is looking for an unforgettable and well organised Kruger safari .
Email Ruthy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was totally amazing.... I was so well looked after..nothing lacking...above all expectations
From the minute I arrived I was really welcome that couldn't have done any more. I lived like a queen! The Safari is brilliant with skilled, knowledgeable guides that could find the animals so well. I saw so many rare experiences from two lions so close to us... such loud roars!! giving is an amazing experience and giraffe fighting each other.... elephants having a bit of a tussle.... stroking a cheetah in the wild while he was eating his dinner.... rhinos walking past us.... it goes on and on.... I felt perfectly safe at all times... absolutely brilliant!!
Email Belinda | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A great family experience!
Reasonable all round. Eveyone was friendly. If there were issues they were minor and was all sorted out.
Little piece of Home
Fast. Efficient. Knowledgeable. They were very responsive to my contact, informative on my stay, and made a new place feel like home. Tour guides were excellent and gear your rides to what the visitors want to see. I did a bush walk and wanted to soak in the morning sun rays while watching the hippos. Literally just sat and watched. Most magical moment of my life to date. The food and accommodation was beyond what I could imagine and that was due to the kindness of all the employees. They made me feel like I was part of their family as they had enormous hearts in making sure I was always comfortable. I would recommend this tour group to my friends and family.
CN
Email Robbie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful first safari!
Staff and guides were knowledgeable and genuinely friendly, accommodation and food was better than expected. Saw 4 or the Big 5 and lots of other animals, as well!
US
Email Mary | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible experience we will never forget!
We did the 4day-Lodge/Treehouse Safari.
Arrived at Tremisana with a warm welcome from Pretty. Our rooms were very comfortable and relaxing! Meals were excellent, especially enjoyed the braai! Bongani, Rex and Philip were our guides during our stay. They all made us feel welcomed and safe (especially on the bush walk!) Then to Marc's Treehouse and lodge. Greeted by Victor and his contagious smile! Off to Kruger Park in the morning. Saw 4 of the Big 5. Maynard our driver was amazing. We felt as though he did all we could to make sure we saw as many animals as we could.
The service we received was amazing. Truly enjoyed the staff at both locations. All very friendly and made you feel so "at home" and felt they went above and beyond. We had left an electronic device in the shuttle on our trip back to Johannesburg. After an email to Viva Safaris, we were told they found the device and delivered to our hotel the next morning.
Viva Safaris was excellent and I would recommend it to anyone.