ABOUT US
Viva Safaris was established in 1991 by people that love wildlife. Family-owned and wholly South African, our aim has always been to enthusiastically share that love and passion with the thousands of satisfied tourists that have been through our hands. We do not aim for exclusivity - we have made our packages accessible to a wide range of pockets.
We are aware that current tourists are a lot smarter and more price-conscious and have high expectations. If one compares our tariffs to other safari operators, it is evident that our safaris are not only eminently affordable but also offer our guests a value-filled product with a personal touch. There can be no doubt that our safari products constitute the very best value for money tours to the Kruger Park.
Dining room overlooking Breakfast Dam at Marc's Treehouse Lodge
Viva Safaris is in the unique position of owning its own accommodation establishments. We are thus able to guarantee levels of excellence expected by our valued international guests. We offer a wide spectrum of products that are affordable to backpacker and bush connoisseur alike.
TREMISANA GAME LODGE is our flagship establishment and is relatively upmarket. It is the largest and leading Big Five game lodge in the Balule section of Kruger Park.. We have 15 chalets as well as a 2-bedroom guesthouse. All units are en suite and airconditioned. The exquisite gardens and water features make this camp a veritable oasis. Guests at Tremisana enjoy the best of both types of safaris : the traditional lodge operation includes a four hour bush walk and four hour late afternoon Landcruiser game drive while our guests will also enjoy a full day open vehicle safari in Kruger.
The water feature at Tremisana Lodge
MARC’S CAMP consists of 2 separate camps: Marc's Treehouse Lodge along the Klaserie River and our renovated Adventure Camp. Compared to similarly-priced camping safaris, Marc's Camp offers so much more and it is very easy to understand why it has become a favourite venue for the backpacking fraternity.
Marc's Treehouse Lodge is a unique lodge beautifully positioned along the banks of the perennial Klaserie River. It is situated in the Motlala Game Reserve which has 3 of the Big 5 : Black and White Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard. The rustic treehouses are romantic and restful and blend perfectly into the bush. Guests at Marc’s enjoy a Sunset Drive on Motlala, full day open vehicle safaris in Kruger and a 1,5 h bush walk on Motlala.
One of the treehouses at Marc's Treehouse Lodge
Marc's Adventure Camp consists of 8 en suite chalets. The chalets have overhead fans, tiled floors and are supplied with towels and soap. There is a central Boma and swimming pool as well as a covered entertainment and lounge and dining room.
Buffalo outside chalets at Adventure Camp
Safaris staying at the Adventure Camp are extremely well priced. The chalets constitute unbelievably good value accommodation when compared to other budget safaris offering small tents.
THE CHEETAH INN offers 21 airconditioned en suite comfortable rooms and thatched rondawels in idyllic bush surroundings. It is game-fenced and has antelope and small game. Beautifully manicured gardens, large long-established bushveld trees, a pond with local endemic fish and an aviary with South African finches all add to the wildlife experience. Guests on our safaris enjoy a Sunset Drive on Motlala Game Reserve, a full day open vehicle safari in Kruger and a 1,5 h bush walk on Motlala.
Front patio at Cheetah Inn
SAFARIS TO TREMISANA LODGE, MARC'S CAMP AND CHEETAH INN COMPARED - A SIMPLIFIED GUIDE FOR OUR GUESTS
Viva Safaris tourists regularly request advice as to which destination, Tremisana Lodge, Marc’s Camp or Cheetah Inn they should book a safari. We are often asked why there is a significant difference in tariffs.
At the outset, we should profile the guests staying at the three camps :
Guests at Marc's Camp are adventurous and young at heart. They are prepared to forfeit certain luxuries in the pursuit of a real African bush experience. They certainly are not afraid of frogs and spiders. The Treehouse Lodge is unique and caters for tourists of very differing financial means whereas the Adventure Camp is designed for backpackers.
Guests at Tremisana are generally a little older and are accustomed to simple luxuries. Of course they are still in the bush and may also encounter frogs and spiders, but these are unlikely to be in the chalets. Guests at Tremisana appreciate the compactness of the camp as well as the easy accessibility of all features and amenities.
Guests at Cheetah Inn are attracted by the cheaper tariffs. The Cheetah Inn has limited animals and has less of a ‘bush’ feel. It is most suitable for families with young children.
Guests enjoy the open country feel of the camp.
Tremisana is electrically fenced as elephant are common. On the other hand, the animals at Marc’s are free to move throughout the camp. Nyala and buffalo are often seen grazing below the treehouses and outside the chalets of the Adventure camp.
Accommodation is very different. The treehouses at Marc’s Treehouse Lodge are made of canvas and reed walls as opposed to the conventional brick and mortar walls at Marc’s Adventure Camp, Tremisana and Cheetah Inn. As a result there is reduced climate control in the treehouses. If it is cold and windy, then the reed walls offer limited protection. Tremisana and Cheetah Inn chalets all have air conditioning, so that in the very hot summer months between October and March, the chalets are pleasantly comfortable. Air conditioning also has another advantage : mosquitoes do not like cold air, so once the air conditioner is switched on, the mosquitoes along with all other insects, disappear. Our clients tell us that the fans and mosquito nets in the treehouses are just as effective. Chalets at Marc’s Adventure Camp also have fans.
The treehouses are not completely insect-proof or even frog- proof insofar as there are small gaps between the reeds and the thatched roofs, but this adds to the adventure !
In the Tremisana and Cheetah Inn chalets, there are no gaps between walls and roofs. The doors have rubber at their bases to keep out insects and other creepy-crawlies. The windows of the chalets are burglar-proofed and are covered by insect-proof screens whereas the windows of the treehouses have a roll-up canvas cover.
There are other differences : The Tremisana and Cheetah Inn chalets have a tea/coffee station. Tremisana chalets are supplied with shampoos and have mats over the tiled floors. The finishes at Tremisana are generally better and the beds are more comfortable. All the chalets at Tremisana, Cheetah Inn and Marc’s Adventure Camp have en suite ablutions. Four of the twelve treehouses ( the original treehouses ) at Marc’s have private, but not en suite, ablutions, as do the four tents. This means that people booking a safari to Marc’s Treehouse Lodge cannot be guaranteed en suite facilities, but will probably enjoy showering under the stars !
Tremisana has a better wildlife prestige status insofar as it is Big Five. It is part of Kruger Park as there are no fences to Kruger, whereas Marc’s is in a Big Three ( Rhino; Buffalo and Leopard ) enclosed reserve. Cheetah Inn has sightings of Leopard every now and then.
Meals at Tremisana are generally better and the overall tone of the lodge is upmarket compared to Marc’s Camp and Cheetah Inn. Marc’s Camp has a better “ bush ” feel about it, whereas the manicured gardens at Tremisana and Cheetah Inn lend a different dimension to the experience.
Perhaps the most important difference is in terms of activities. At Tremisana there is an additional game drive, the “Sunrise ” morning drive. The 4h bush walk is only offered at Tremisana ( although the 6 day Marc’s Camp program includes this walk ). This appeals to guests who appreciate the opportunity of encountering lion and elephant on foot.
Tremisana safaris also include a 3h Game Drive at the Big Five Tshukudu Game Reserve which is always very productive in terms of Big Five sightings.
Viva Safaris believe that all our lodges offer exceptional value for money. When compared to other operators, we are convinced that all of our safari experiences offer way better wildlife experiences.
In summary :
Budget-conscious backpackers should be encouraged to book safaris staying at Marc’s Adventure Camp or the four tents at Marc’s Treehouse Lodge.
Adventure-minded tourists who are seeking a really African bush experience should be encouraged to book safaris staying at Marc’s Treehouse Lodge.
Budget-conscious tourists who are seeking comfortable en suite chalet accommodation should be encouraged to book safaris staying at the Cheetah Inn.
Tourists looking for Big Five lodge accommodation and who enjoy a little pampering both in terms of game-viewing activities and relatively upmarket facilities should be encouraged to book safaris at Tremisana Game Lodge.
Unless they request otherwise, all Fly-In safaris are accommodated at Tremisana Lodge.
MAP OF OUR LODGES
Click above to view a map of the area. Our lodges are highlighted with a white asterisk
GPS COORDINATES
Marc’s Camp
Lat = S24° 29.79'
Long = E31° 4.47'
Cheetah Inn
Lat = S24° 29.56'
Long = E31° 5.07'
Tremisana
Lat = S24° 13.65'
Long = E30° 52.15'
BLACK EMPOWERMENT
Viva Safaris has always sought to look after its staff, especially those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. To this end, we employ a labour law specialist to implement all the latest Government labour regulations pertaining to conditions of employment and wages.
In addition, we have an unequalled record in promoting our local staff. Through in-house training, we have succeeded in elevating members of our staff from humble positions such as carpenter, cleaner and cook to managers of our camps. At present the managers are as follows :
Tremisana : Delina Mnisi
Marc's : Ronald Masango
Cheetah Inn : Margrett Ngoane
GENERAL INFORMATION
TRANSFERS to and from Gauteng to our accommodation establishments are in airconditioned Toyota Quantums. We offer you excellent security as we conduct door-to-door collection from your homes, hotels, hostels or Oliver Tambo Airport, thus ensuring your safety. Lunchstops are made at Dullstroom or Nelspruit.
THE SUNSET DRIVE affords you your first opportunity of seeing Africa’s animals. Our qualified guide will take you on our open 4 x 4 Landcruiser Game Drive. Stops will be made to photograph the stunning sunsets and to listen to the night sounds. Spotlights are used to locate elusive nocturnal animals.
Our open Gameviewer close up to an elephant herd
SAFARIS IN KRUGER are conducted on eight-seater or nine-seater open gameviewing vehicles based at Orpen Gate. The open gameviewers offer elevated vantage positions from where your gameviewing and photographic opportunities are greatly enhanced. All our gameviewing vehicles are 4 x 4 conversions with access to all roads in all weather conditions.
THE BLYDE RIVER CANYON , including the THREE RONDAWELS, is visited on the return journey
Three Rondawels at Blyde River Canyon
TARIFFS include all transfers, all entry fees, all game drives and game walks and accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. Excluded are lunches, drinks, gratuities and personal items. Tariffs are valid from 01-01-10 to 31-12-10.
WHY VIVA ?
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Our products offer unbeatable value for money
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No problem with your safety and security - we collect from you home/ hotel/ hostel / airport
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Excellent accommodation in air-conditioned en suite chalets at Tremisana and Cheetah Inn and in fascinating treehouses and en suite chalets at Marc's Camp
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Daily departures
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No hidden extra costs
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Member of SATSA
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Tariffs are valid for the whole of 2010 including World Cup period
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We have been operating successfully since 1991
Our armed ranger conducting a bush walk.
WHAT TO BRING ?
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Casual neutral-coloured clothes by day and a coat for sunset drive
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Sunhat, sunglasses, swimming gear, walking shoes
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Suncreen and insect repellent
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Flashlight, binoculars and photographic equipment
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Money for lunches, drinks and personal expenses
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A keen pair of eyes to help us spot all the animals !
INDEMNITY FORMS must be signed at the start of your safari. We recommend that you take out insurance against personal accident, medical expenses and baggage loss.
PRE and POST SAFARI ACCOMMODATION is available at our company guest lodge, Anthony's Place. Contact Anthony on tours@vivasafaris.com.
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