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65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experienced, first rate service, guidance and care.
We just returned from 3 weeks in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. I did my research on destinations we wanted to visit and then interviewed 4 different African tour agencies. 'Great Safaris' by far had more information, contacts and insightful suggestions for our trip. They were less expensive than the others for the same or better hotels, safari facilities and tours, and they took care of all our intra-African flights. We had to stay an additioal day in Johannesburg and they took care of the arrangements when I called their local agent (at 6AM). I even received follow up calls to be sure my wife was feeling better.
Since our return, I have recommended 'Great Safaris' to numerous friends and neighbors. They are a first class outfit for the vacation of a life time. Dave Herbert at 'Great Safaris' is the man to speak with.
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20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safarihub is the best!
me along with my brother went to Kenya this month , and it was Amazing! They went over their head to offer us a really nice experience , will go with Safarihub again next time !
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Brilliant holiday experience
The safari was great and memorable and the staff we met were brilliant and offered impeccable service.
PT
The mix of van animal sighting and boat animal sighting was really neat
We, a group of 4 friends, did the 3 days Murchison Falls tour with this company.
From the start they were extremely efficient and made us feel confident even when weeks before we were wiring money to them in Uganda.
The van (open top) was a little old and could do with some maintenance but we always felt safe and the driving was safe too. Our driver, Sula, took us safely and efficiently to the north of the country and back.
Their camp near Para, inside the park is great and we loved the tour. The mix of van animal sighting and boat animal sighting was really neat. The park ranger that boarded our van at the Para ferry and did the north bank tour with us was absolutely excellent. She knew everything about the park and even seemed to know every animal species whereabouts. Great!
In the whole we would definitely go on a safari with them again and thus certainly recommend you do too.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One of the amazing Experience I had...it was a great one. Everything was planned early in advance
It was very good. The communication was good and things were well communicated. Services were amazing and I was satisfied
BE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Authentic Rip-off
I was promised 3 days of Walking Safari with "Camping in Comfort" in Ruaha N.Park. These "experts" didn't know that standard procedure this time of year is to close all walking trails due to high grass - so no walking. As for comfort - I had more in the army; of course the location was great and so on - it is Ruaha after all, no credit to Authentic. Food was barely OK, portions miserly. Equipment shoddy, badly maintained. You would do a lot better going fly-camping with a local company for a fraction of the price.
Bottom line : these guys are only after money, a disgrace to the safari business
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
My experience was amazing. The company knew exactly where we could visit for a memorable experience
The staff were courteous and the whole experience exceeded our expectations
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Jewel of Africa
In 2010 at the age of 50 something I finally decided to follow my lifetime dream and visit Africa. As it was a solo trip and had no idea where I wanted to go, I spent many weeks searching the web for the perfect and safest place that met all my requirements. I finally was guided to Viva Safaris website and I knew this was the one. Six years on and I have returned many times.
Viva Safaris has not just become another Safari company offering a wide range of activities, they are now family and treat me as such. I have seen their programme of activities grow throughout the years offering guests a more personalised adventure that is suitable for both adults and families at a very competitive price.
From the moment you are collected from your accommodation your adventure begins until you finally have to bid farewell you leave with memories that will last a lifetime.
The transfers to and from Johannesburg is aboard a 12 seater comfortable mini bus, the journey does take around 6+ hours there is many stops on the way and also an hour stop for lunch. The time goes by very quickly as you get to know fellow guests.
On arrival at Tremisana I was met with a warm friendly welcome from the Hostess and staff providing cool drinks for all guests. The first thing I saw was the beautifully kept tropical gardens surrounded by thatched roof lodges and a swimming pool. The lodges are spacious, comfortable and very clean, each one has its own distinct African feel about it. The en suite lodges also have tea/coffee facilities. The Lapa area is where breakfast is served and it borders Balule Nature Reserve which is part of Kruger National Park. This area is so peaceful (when the vervet monkeys are asleep) and I have spent many hours sitting on the swing bench reading and observing the wildlife around the watering hole. There is a bar area where you can relax with a beer and access the free wifi. The dining area gives you no doubt that you are in Africa with its open firepit and the smell of delicious variety of home cooked food.
The Game Drives were everything and more than I could have ever imagined. The Balule Reserve and of course visits to Kruger National Park has an abundance of wildlife and the open game viewers gives you the ultimate viewing platform to see magnificent wildlife up close. The Wildlife Guides are all very knowledgeable in conservation, animal behaviour and identification from the largest to the smallest inhabitants that they share their lives with, all done with amazing sense of humour. The Bush Walks opened up another world to me and gave me the understanding why everything down to trees, termites, Elephants and everything in between is connected and why habitat protection and conservation is vital for wildlife.
I could continue to talk about dining in the middle of the African Bush with wildlife just feet away under a blanket of stars, or visits to the amazing work of the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehab Centre, visit to Tshukudu Lodge where the cheetahs are often found lying around the pool area. Each day is different and each day you find something else to add to this unique African experience.
I also became very involved with the orphanges, missionaries and schools that Viva Safaris sponsor and to date have raised over £5000 supporting a local school with necessary educational materials and sports equipment and I am currently raising funds to construct a multi purpose sports area for one of the schools in Acornhoek. I couldn't have achieved this without the full support of Viva Safaris who have encouraged me with my ideas to bring hope to the children and provide a better understanding of the importance of protecting the wildlife and their habitats in Africa.
You can become an involved visitor or enjoy everything Viva Safaris have to offer. I would recommend a visit to Marc's Treehouse Lodge, I love this place so much that a few years ago my partner and I became engaged under the African night sky...so romantic. The Treehouse is definitely a unique experience. The treehouses come in varies shapes and sizes with picture size windows allowing you to see your very own incredible view of the African Bush and its wildlife. Again the accommodation is very clean and comfortable, food is incredible and the staff are just amazing.
If you are like me and find it difficult to choose from so many different options for your travel plans, I can in all honestly recommend Viva Safaris, it has changed my life, it is not just another holiday destination for me, every time I say goodbye to my Viva family and return to Scotland I leave part of me behind. I look forward to seeing everyone again in September 2016.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions I will be happy to respond.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was awesome , had alot of fun
The drivers and the whole team are so professional, time conscious, our safety was well taken care off as we visited the riftvalley where we went to lake naivasha, Lake Nakuru , lake borgoria and we really had a great time and for our tours we can always count on them.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A very dependable agency with excellent understanding of what safari means
Africa Sunset safaris had a flair for exceeding expectations. They have a great crew who went beyond their way to ensure that as family, we enjoyed our safari and had good value for our money. They also have handy travel tips which are key in ensuring that one enjoys their holiday. I would recommend them for any safaris within East Africa.