35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic!
This has been a trip of a lifetime- we were looked after from beginning to end from the great work of Esther helping us tailor our trip to the amazing job of Robert, our driver, who is so knowledgable and caring.
This is not an easy trip to organise for a first timer and having the knowledge and support was key- I also think that the fact the agency is so well connected with the lodges and other suppliers it just made our life so easy.
Thank you and until next time!
OM
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Completely Satisfied!
I did a solo climb with Chacha and his team followed by a five day safari with my family in May/June, and from the start the whole experience was fantastic. Chacha is not only an experienced mountaineer, superb safari guide, and all-around good guy, he is the independent owner and operator of this company, which means he if fully dedicated to ensuring that his services will be to your satisfaction. From our very first email exchanges I could see that Chacha was sincere about providing the best possible experience at a very competitive price. He was prompt in answering all of my queries and extremely flexible in meeting my requests. He even provided me with some equipment I didn't have for the climb. Throughout our trip Chacha went out of his way to help make this one of the best vacation experiences I and my family have ever had.
Climbing with Chacha and his crew was a real treat. We did a 7 day Macheme trek. His whole team were positive and fun, and I really enjoyed interacting with them. The service and food were great, and I felt safe and relaxed the whole time. Chacha's experience in climbing Kili was a bonus in so many ways. He got us up early (with breakfast prepared) so that we were usually the first to leave the camp in the morning. Not only did this mean I often had the trail to myself, it also meant that we would get to the next camp early, avoiding the afternoon rains that everyone else was hiking through and getting the best spots for our tents. He was also the only guide I saw on our summit day with the foresight to bring crampons, which made our decent through the snow so much easier, faster, and safer. Chacha clearly enjoys climbing, and his good nature and encouragement made the whole journey better.
After the trek we met my wife and 5yo son in Arusha for our safari. We did a five day trip through Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti that was far better than anything I expected. Chacha was very attentive to our needs, and great with my kid. The car, accommodation, and food were all excellent, and the wildlife viewing was incredible! Chacha has a great eye, and he spotted a lot of things that we (and other cars) seem to miss. Throughout the trip he was always pleasant, patient, and helpful.
In short, if you are looking for a fairly priced operator who is going to give quality personal service, then I would highly recommend this company. Thanks for a great trip Chacha!
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by Natasha
Our best experience.
SG
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Sabi Sand Game Reserve by Kok Kim
Lesser sightings than at Phinda. Main highlights were leopard and lion cubs and cubs suckling mother lioness.
SG
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Phinda Game Reserve by Kok Kim
Cheetah was our main "target" sighting we got that.
Plus bonus of lion sightings (mating, eating carcass, stalking and chasing warthog and facing off with a rhino family). 2 lionesses we followed walked by our jeep twice!
AR
Great stopover
I asumed it was going to be a mediocre experience with just a good location but it ended up having a nice variety of animals: zebras, giraffes, impalas, topis, waterbucks, warthogs, monkeys and ankoles. Not the usual big 5 but very enjoyable nonetheless. Convinced my guide to drive by since I had some hours to spare on my way to the airport and it was delightful. Great stopover to complement what I had already seen.
Some sceneries were amazing while other sections of the park were too bushy, but they seem to be "taking care" of that since there were big chunks of the side-road having been burned down, or something like the sort. Roads were bad.
AR
Great stopover
I asumed it was going to be a mediocre experience with just a good location but it ended up having a nice variety of animals: zebras, giraffes, impalas, topis, waterbucks, warthogs, monkeys and ankoles. Not the usual big 5 but very enjoyable nonetheless. Convinced my guide to drive by since I had some hours to spare on my way to the airport and it was delightful. Great stopover to complement what I had already seen.
Some sceneries were amazing while other sections of the park were too bushy, but they seem to be "taking care" of that since there were big chunks of the side-road having been burned down, or something like the sort. Roads were bad.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
AMAZING experience!!
We were a family of 4 and used Viva Safaris with a stay at Tremisana Lodge. We did a 5 day/ 4 night safari. It was the most amazing experience from beginning to end!! We saw all the “Big 5” and so much more ! Tremisana Lodge was wonderful. The grounds were rustic and beautiful , the food excellent, and staff amazing.
Viva Safaris was beyond our expectations. The safari guides/ drivers were beyond knowledgeable and our itinerary perfect. The itinerary kept us busy, but with the needed downtime in between. It was the perfect balance of activities. From Bush walks, game drives, and animal rehabilitation centers, there was so much to do and see!! We would highly recommend Viva Safaris and a stay are tremisana Lodge!!
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Uganda is a very beautiful country, but you have to find a good guide to do safari what is not easy.
We had a very nice expecience, the gorila trakking was amazing, the weather was very nice, sunny, what helped a lot to see them.
Our accommodations were not very good, we did not have hot shower, but we did not pay for the best tour, our choice was a middle term one.
Regarding our guide, we were very disapointed, we did not have any safari in the morning and just one in the evening, so it was very difficult to see animal (we saw 3 of the big five). Our guide was desorganized! He booked a wrong room in a hotel, did not have the safari boat ticket on time. We went to queen' elizabeth and lake mburo. I still dont know why we went to lake mboro, once we got there at 5 pm (we did not have a night safari, cause our guide did not have light) and left at 9 am.
In my option everyone should go to Uganda, the people is amazing, food is very good and it is t one of the most beaultiful place I have been, but you have to look for a very good guide and check the schedule before (check the time of your safaris, in the afternoon is very difficult to see animals), I do not know which company is the best, but do not choose for the price, sometimes is better pay more to have a better service.
SG
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Diverse unpredictable wildlife sightings and action in 10 game drives at 3 different lodges
We were blessed with sightings of the major big cats: male and female lions and cubs (in various activities: a mating couple, young cubs suckling mommy lioness, 3 young male lions feeding on carcass, 2 lionesses face off a rhino family; a male and female lioness staking and chasing a warthog); cheetahs (brothers and within family) in Phinda park reserve; leopards (and even 1 one that prowled at Kirkman Kamp where we stayed).
Also saw several white rhinos, hyenas, genet, dwarf mangoose, besides lots of zebras, giraffes, elephants, wildebeest.
Weather was pleasant: dry and cold in mornings.
Food and accommodation was excellent, with good variety and quantity of food and very comfortable bedding and bathrooms.
Rangers and drivers knew their stuff and got us key cat activities and also close to the action.
