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:
- $1,552 to $3,839 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
Email Ankush Darade | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Safari Adventure Like No Other
Absolutely unforgettable experience with Viva Safari and Tremisana Lodge! From the moment we booked, the team was professional, responsive, and passionate about delivering an exceptional safari adventure. Our guide Smily, Mark and Rocky, were knowledgeable and took us on an incredible journey through the stunning landscapes of Kruger National Park and Surrounding private big 5 reserves. Spotting majestic lions, graceful giraffes, and playful elephants, Cape Buffalo and Leopard in their natural habitat was truly exhilarating. The accommodations were comfortable, and the meals were delicious. Highly recommend this operator for their expertise, safety, and commitment to sustainable tourism. Can't wait to plan our next adventure with them!"
Email Dean Camm | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
7 Day Viva Safari - June 2025
I do not normally provide reviews but on this occasion decided to provide potential Viva Safari visitors with an insight as to our experiences.
I booked the safari directly with Viva Safaris rather than going through a tour operator. From my first emails, Patricia Landau was exceptionally prompt and helpful in her responses. I asked many questions and was provided with all the information I needed. We selected the 7 day safari based at the Tremisana Lodge. We were picked up promptly at our Johannesburg airport hotel and driven to Kruger in time for our first sunset drive. Amazingly we saw 3 of the big 5 on that first drive. Once back at the lodge we checked into our accommodation which is rustic and comfortable. During our week we were driven by numerous of the Viva team. All were very informative about the animals and were keen to enable us to see as many different species as possible. We found Andy and Marc to be extremely enthusiastic, every day seemed an adventure for them too. The schedules are packed each day. Having been on a safari previously we were delighted with the amount of time out in jeeps on this Viva safari. We must have averaged over 7 hours per day actually tracking animals. We managed to see all the big 5, with the highlights being 8 lions walking beside the jeep literally 5 minutes from the lodge, a cheetah walking beside the jeep in Kruger, 3 hyena cubs lazing by the road in Kruger and 14 giraffes walking beside the road totally ignoring us, a boa constrictor sunbathing in a tree and 2 male wildebeest fighting for territory and breeding rights. With regard to the lodge itself, the team worked hard to ensure we were well fed, the food was good, plentiful and filling and the chefs added their own cakes, cookies and desserts. Each mealtime the visitors met at the Lapa restaurant to discuss their sightings, share experiences and add to the enjoyment. Just outside the perimeter of the Lapa (literally 20 metres from our seats) we had daily visits from hyenas, a family of 5 warthogs, honey badgers, elephants, guinea fowl and numerous other birds. At Tremisana we met many fun loving people from all over Europe, Asia and America which all added to the experience. What a fantastic holiday. It was definitely a 5 out of 5 experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to spend their safari holiday actually viewing animals rather than sitting beside a pool.
Email Nicola | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
"Incredible Wildlife, Expert Guides, and Seamless Safari Adventures!"
We had an absolutely fantastic experience with Viva Safari — everything was brilliantly organised and ran like clockwork. The entire operation is clearly very professional, with enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable guides who truly love what they do.
Our safari experience included a wonderful mix of sunrise and sunset game drives, bush walks (which were thrilling!), and event meals out in the bush — all of which made the experience feel incredibly immersive. We always knew what to expect thanks to the clear communication from the team, which helped us make the most of every moment.
We stayed at Tremisana Lodge, which is right in the heart of the bush. It was an amazing location — we regularly saw wildlife right outside our accommodation, including lions, hyenas, elephants, and even honey badgers! The camp had a very sociable atmosphere, and the guides were always around for a chat or to answer questions, which made the whole experience even more engaging.
The food was plentiful and of a good standard, and everything was very well catered. If you're looking for great value for money, with the focus firmly on being out on safari as much as possible, Viva Safari is an excellent choice. The guides go out of their way to ensure you see as much as possible, and even the transfers and rest stops were well planned and efficient.
We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Viva Safari — you will not be disappointed!
BR
Email antônia martins | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
amazing!!
i visited last august and was amazing. went there with my boyfriend and we both were impressed by everything! we stayed at the lodge and then transfered to marks tree house and was such a nice experience!! the staff is super thoughful, the food was great and the rooms were always clean. we were very happy with our choice and recommend to everyone!!
Email Jon + Sarah | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding - loved every minute
We have just come back from a 6 day Safari with Viva Safaris at the Tremisana Lodge and I have to say it's the best safari experience we could have hoped for.
We began the tour from Johannesburg and were picked up on time and the transfer up took about 6 hours with multiple stops for comfort breaks and lunch. Once we arrived (at about 4pm) we just had time to check in and then go out for an evening game drive. It took less than 5 minutes for us to come across our first elephant, promptly followed by rhino, as well as other common species like antelope and zebra.
The following day we did an early morning sunrise drive + bush walk which was a lovely experience to see the park on foot. The walk down to the river was fantastic and we got to see up close (but safely!) animals like hippo and crocodiles. Our evening drive that day was super eventful and we got to see more rhino and elephants as well as an incredibly rare encounter with african wild dogs!
The following 3 days we spent on full days in Kruger via Orpen Gate. These were the 3 best safari days you could want.
Immediately Day 1after entering the park we encountered a pride of lions and we proceeded to see a massive range of other wildlife and we lost count of how many elephants - as a guess we came across 200 of them throughout the day including several large herds with very young babies.
Day 2 we finally (after many years of trying) managed to see a leopard, thus completing our big 5! It was so nice to see it happily sat under a tree watching the world go by close to the side of the road. We also spotted many more elephants and more lions etc.
Day 3 was equally as exciting with 2 more sets of lions, more rhino and even more baby elephants and a super cute baby giraffe.
Our last morning before heading back to Johannesburg was an early rise 2h drive where we got to see Rhino again and also a leopard in the distance attempting to catch something but failing. The journey back again took us via Blythe Canyon which is one of the most spectacular views you could imagine. We got back to the airport by about 4:30 which left plenty of time for our evening flights.
Accommodation wise we stayed in the rooms at Tremisana. They were plenty big enough, had nice hot showers and even air-con if you really needed it. Not fancy, but absolutely what you need for a safari. What made the lodge so special though was it's location and set up. Because you're in the old private reserve you literally are amongst the animals! At breakfast we had elephant walk straight past us the other side of the fence and in the morning hyena could be seen watching you and sniffing out the fantastic hot breakfast food etc.
The staff and guides were first class. So friendly and knowledgeable and they really were so invested in wanting to make sure you had the best time possible. Quite how the guides spot the animals is also a mystery - they must have laser vision as they just see everything so quickly leaving you all the time you need to focus and do your own spotting once you work out what they have seen. They are super patient, they know exactly the right pace to go at and which angles are best for photos etc.
Overall - Viva Safari and Tremisana Lodge are right up there - and amazing value for money too. Definitely check them out!
FR
Email Myriam | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A dream came true
I just spent five nights at Tremisana Lodge and I must say it was perfect.
The accommodation is simple, functional, and clean. The air conditioning is very useful, as it gets hot quickly.
Located in a lovely, well-maintained garden, the pool is pleasant and the little monkeys are very cute.
The food is excellent from breakfast to dinner. Seated around large tables, it's a great place to share stories of the day's adventures.
The games are perfectly organized and spread throughout the stay. The guides are excellent, friendly, and efficient.
The pick-ups to and from the lodge are also very well organized, even if the drive from Johannesburg is a bit long.
Thank you so much to the whole team for helping me make my dream come true.
I do recommend the 5 days program.
Email Mark Kowalik | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Perfectly met my expectations
I chose the six day safari option at Tremisana Lodge. Great choice this. Not luxury accommodation, but nice enough little chalet to myself, with decent size bathroom and bed with mosquito net. And a lovely pool in the middle. Meal;s were all good too. Totally met my needs. it seemed best to fit the time I had available before I needed to be back in London and the amount of time actually out on game drives. And was a reasonable price. But of course what you actually get and what it says in the brochure can be different things. However, I have to say I was almost totally satisfied with absolutely everything on this trip. And I am not that easily pleased!
I mean usually things are fine and you shrug your shoulders at a few minor things that are disappointing. But this was brilliant in almost every way and I certainly fancy using the same company, Viva Safaris, again. Booking was easy - I got lots of helpful whats app messages leading up to the trip. Organisation was spot on in every respect. The main guides were great and head guide Luke just superb - balance of knowledge and personable without overdoing it. The itinerary was cleverly put together. I finished up being a very happy customer. And it was the right length for me. I felt ready to go home at the end but enjoyed everything in between. Saw all the big 5 in one day at the Kruger, and there were two trips to the Kruger itself, other days taken up with drives and walks around the lodge area and reserve.
IT
Email Federica | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable
We traveled as a group of 10 people — 6 adults and 4 children aged between 9 and 13 — and chose the 6 Day Tremisana / Treehouse Safari package.
From the very first moment, our experience was nothing short of extraordinary. We spent the first night at Tremisana and the following four nights at Marc’s Treehouse, which is truly a magical, one-of-a-kind place. Sleeping in the heart of the bush, surrounded by wildlife, is an experience that is hard to put into words and something we will treasure forever.
The Viva Safaris team is absolutely outstanding. Every single member of the staff is incredibly kind, professional, knowledgeable, and deeply passionate about their work. From the warm welcome to the amazing rangers, everyone went above and beyond to make our safari unforgettable. Their enthusiasm, dedication, and attention to detail are simply exceptional.
The entire program was perfectly organized in every aspect: schedules, transfers, game drives, and activities ran flawlessly, like a perfectly synchronized machine where nothing ever went wrong. This allowed us to relax completely and enjoy every single moment.
The food was excellent, plentiful, and very varied, another wonderful surprise that exceeded our expectations.
And of course, the wildlife sightings were beyond anything we could have imagined. We saw an incredible variety of animals, far more than we ever hoped for, making every safari an exciting and unforgettable adventure.
This experience was truly once in a lifetime, unforgettable for both us adults and our children alike.
If you are considering a safari in South Africa, do not think twice — choose Viva Safaris. We cannot recommend them highly enough, and we are certain you will not regret it!
Email Greyson | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing staff, unforgettable safari, and incredible food made this Kruger trip perfect!
I just got back from a 7-day Kruger safari at Tremisana Lodge, and honestly, it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.
The staff there is incredible. Ed goes above and beyond to make sure you have everything you need—you really feel at home the entire time. And Mama Dee… her cooking is unreal. You definitely won’t go hungry, that’s for sure.
The safari team is what really made it special. Vee has such an awesome personality—super easy to talk to, and by the end of the trip he felt more like a friend than a guide. Smiley lives up to his name completely—he brings so much energy and culture to every drive with his “hakuna matatas” and “WOWs.” It’s impossible not to have a good time with him around.
Raymond was probably the most knowledgeable guide I’ve ever met. You can tell he’s deeply connected to the land—being from a village nearby—and you learn more from him than you ever could from a book. And Andy’s calm, laid-back vibe combined with his knowledge of the animals just ties everything together perfectly.
I truly couldn’t have asked for a better experience—the people, the safari, and the environment all made it unforgettable.
HK
Email Yan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent experience
I joined a 4 days 3 nights safari with Viva Safaris and stayed in the Treehouse lodge for two nights. How amazing experience I had there. It's clean of my room; good breakfast and dinner; the staff are very polite and helpful, especially mentioned Quinton, one of the managers there, he's a very helpful guy and always prepared to try to make you feel comfortable there. For the game drives, the guides and rangers were very professional and knowledgeable, tried best and successfully spotted different animals inside the park. Highly recommend.