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Kruger Park Safaris

See Africa's mighty Big 5

Viva Safaris

Sharing our passion for wildlife for 30+ years

Value-for-money Safaris to Kruger Park

Leading tour operator offering Kruger Park safari tours in open game vehicles. Daily departures, 365 days a year.
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Kruger Park Safari Experiences with Viva Safaris

From humble beginnings in 1991, Viva Safaris has grown to become the most sought after tour operator servicing the Kruger National Park region. Our diversity of Kruger Park safari experiences easily beat those of any competitor.

Get up close to the Big 5 in Kruger National Park safari in one of our open game viewers!

Get up close to the Big 5 in the Kruger Park with one of our open game viewers!

 

   

Viva Safaris is consistently rated amongst the top 10 tour operators in South Africa!

 

Yearend message from our GM:

I would like to, once again, congratulate all the Viva Safaris staff on another year of outstanding work. Your energy, enthusiasm and excellence have been fundamental in our success story. The fact that we have had departures from Johannesburg EVERY SINGLE DAY this year is both remarkable and enviable. We shall complete the year in the same manner, resulting in 365 departures for 2023. Take a bow, every single one of you. The quality of reviews posted by previous guests plays a big part in helping tourists decide to choose one of our packages. Without exception, these reviews bear testimony to the passion and energy that our happy staff bring to their workplace.  Well done to all !!!!

Kruger National Park Safari Packages and Tours

We are completely self-sufficient and highly experienced….we own our lodges; we have a fleet of air conditioned mini busses that will bring you from your location in Johannesburg right to the bush; we have our own fleet of game viewing vehicles; our own rangers and trackers; our own chefs and lodge management staff and of course a range of 30 different Kruger Park safaris that vary from cost effective on night/two day safaris to combined Kruger Park and Private Reserve safaris where you can experience the thrill of walking in the bush amongst the Big Five of Africa – of course for those who demand the luxurious, our Fly In safaris and Luxury Lodge safaris are legendary !!!

Viva Safaris has got it right – the blend of exclusive and personal sightings in our private reserve, Balule, and the wide diversity and great number of animal encounters in Kruger provide an unequalled wildlife opportunity.

The beautiful Marula Tree Boma under the African night sky

The beautiful Marula Tree Boma under the African night sky

Bongani leads group of guests along Olifants River

Armed ranger leads group of guests along Olifants River

 Click play below to see a brief video overview of what you may experience on a safari to the Kruger National Park with Viva Safaris:

We thank you for visiting our website and invite you to take a journey through our pages as the starting point to a never-to-be-forgotten African Kruger Park Safari !!

Young bull elephant keeping a close eye on us in the Kruger

Young bull elephant keeping a close eye on us in the Kruger

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 Kruger Park safari packages accessible to a wide range of pockets.

Guests being shown wildlife during bush walk on safaris to Kruger Park

Guests being shown wildlife during bushwalk

We are aware that current tourists are a lot smarter, more price-conscious and have high expectations for their money. If one compares our tariffs to other Kruger National Park 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 safaris to the Kruger National Park.

Relaxed Motlala leopard looking at Jordan and guests

Relaxed Motlala leopard looking at Jordan and guests

Mindful of our guests’ need to share their wonderful wildlife experiences with friends and family at home, we have introduced FREE 24hr WIFI at all our lodges.

Dining room overlooking Breakfast Dam at Marc's Camp

Dining room overlooking Breakfast Dam at Marc’s Camp

Kruger Park Safari Lodges

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 the Greater Kruger National Park. We have 15 chalets as well as a 2-bedroom guesthouse. All units are en suite and airconditioned. The exquisite luxuriant 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 4 hour bush walk and 4 hour sunset game drive on open Landcruisers including an unforgettable Bush Braai (BBQ) in the middle of wildest Africa while our guests will also enjoy full day open vehicle Kruger National Park safaris.

Tremisana chalet, Kruger Park safari lodge

Tremisana chalet

We are delighted to have received the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award yet again for 2024!

 

TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2019 - Tremisana Game LodgeTripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2018 - Tremisana Game LodgeTripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2017 - Tremisana Game Lodge

TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016 - Tremisana Game LodgeTripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2015 - Tremisana Game LodgeTripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2014 - Tremisana Game LodgeTripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013 - Tremisana Game Lodge TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2012 - Tremisana Game Lodge TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2011 - Tremisana Game Lodge

The water feature and lush gardens at Tremisana Game Lodge, a Kruger Park Safari lodge

The water feature and lush gardens at Tremisana Game Lodge, Kruger National Park

The wildlife viewing at the Tremisana Game Lodge waterhole is unbelievably good. We have sightings of all the Big Five on our property.

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.

TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2018 - Marc's Treehouse LodgeTripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2017 - Marc's Treehouse LodgeTripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016 - Marc's Treehouse Lodge TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013 - Marc's Treehouse Lodge TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2012 - Marc's Treehouse Lodge

Stay in a wonderful treehouse at Marc's Treehouse Lodge whilst on safaris to the Kruger Park

One of the treehouses at Marc’s Treehouse Lodge

KATEKANI TENTED LODGE comprises of eight beautifully appointed Tented Chalets with bathtub, indoor and outdoor showers, splash pool and deck. Each chalet has a thatched roof and is elevated so as to allow for spectacular views of the bushveld.

 

TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2018 - Katekani Luxury Tented Lodge

Katekani Tented Lodge Bed

Katekani Tented Lodge Bed

MASANGO CAMP is named after the late Ronald Masango, Viva Safaris’ and the whole region’s first ever black Camp Manager, and is extremely popular with budget-conscious travellers. The camp comprises 8 en suite chalets and each chalet has an overhead fan, electric lights and power points and all the comfortable beds are covered by mosquito nets. The camp has a good-sized swimming pool and an open BBQ Boma. The central common room has a bar, a breakfast nook, a lounge as well as indoor dining facilities.

Chalet interior

Masango Camp Chalet interior

The pool at Masango Camp

The pool at Masango Camp

All our lodges have 24 hour WIFI available to all our guests

The Kruger National Park

One of South Africa’s most popular tourist destinations, the Kruger National Park is famous the world over.  It is the oldest Park in Africa and also one of the largest.

In 1898, then president of the Transvaal republic, Paul Kruger established The Kruger National Park – then called the Sabie Game Reserve.  Paul Kruger recognised the need to protect the wildlife of the Lowveld region and created an area where no hunting was allowed. 

In 1902 when Scotting-born James Stevenson-Hamilton was appointed as the first Warden of the park it was still known as the Sabie Game Reserve.  Finally, in 1926 Paul Kruger’s vision was realised and the national parks act was brought into effect, following this in 1927 the Sabie Game Reserve & Shingwedzi Game reserves were amalgamated and merged to become the Kruger National Park. (Named for the efforts and drive of the honourable Paul Kruger) When the park first opened to the public Game enthusiasts and motorists were allowed entry into the Kruger National Park at the cost of one pound.

The Kruger National Park stretches across the vast tract of land between the Sabie & Crocodile Rivers. The Kruger National Park is similar in length to England and is about 65% of the area of England.

Here are some interesting facts:
  • Kruger is approx 350km long and 60km wide and covers an area of 19,485 square kilometres
  • The Kruger National Park is located in the north-eastern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in South Africa, and borders Mozambique and Zimbabwe to the east and north respectively.
  • It was first protected by the then Transvaal Republic in 1898 and known as Sabi Game Reserve
  • In 1926 it became South Africa’s first national park, when Sabi Game Reserve was combined with the adjacent Shingedzi Game Reserve and farms and given the name Kruger National Park
  • The Kruger Park is named after the President of the Transvaal, President Paul Kruger (1825 – 1904) who was responsible for creating the original protected area of Sabi Game Reserve in 1898
  • The Kruger Park is home to all of the “Big Five” (lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant and leopard), as well as more large mammals than any other game reserve in Africa (147 species in total).
  • An amazing 517 species of birds can be found in the Kruger Park.
  • In 2000, a multinational agreement between South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique lead to fences coming down between Kruger National Park, Limpopo National Park in Mozambique and Gonarezhou National Park, Manjinji Pan Sanctuary and Malipati Safari Area in Zimbabwe.  This new combined area is called The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, and is the first phase of a larger conservation area that is planned to measure almost 100,000 square kilometres when complete!
  • Over 300 archeological sites of Stone Age man have been found in the park, containing cultural artefacts from 100,000 to 30,000 years ago.
  • There is also numerous evidence of San and Iron Age people from around 1500 years ago in the park, with San Art found throughout.
  • READ MORE

    KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – A BRIEF HISTORY

    The mastermind and animal lover behind the development of the Kruger National Park was then president of the Transvaal Republic, Paul Kruger. He was not a well-educated man, with only three formal months of education spent in a rural farm school, but he grew up in the wild frontiers of the old country and had an enduring love of nature and wildlife.

    At the urging of early conservationists who were alarmed at the scale of unchecked hunting in the Lowveld region, he made an indelible mark in history by proclaiming an expansive area would be allocated for the protection of South Africa’s wild animals.

    Paul Kruger was born on a rural farm in 1825.  When the Great Trek started in 1836, his father uprooted the entire family and moved them to what was known as the Transvaal, where they settled in a town called Rustenburg.

    At the age of 16, Paul Kruger was allowed to choose his own farm and chose to settle on a property at the base of the Magaliesberg Mountains. Kruger married in 1842 and shortly thereafter moved to the Eastern Transvaal where he lost his wife and young infant son to what was suspected to be malaria and re-married a woman who bore seven daughters and nine sons, although many of his children died in infancy.

    Kruger showed strong leadership qualities and eventually became Commandant-General of the then South African Republic, later known as the Transvaal. His leadership skills became more prominent when he was appointed member of a commission of the Volksraad, the Transvaal Republican Parliament who were tasked with drawing up a constitution.

    He resigned as Commandant-General, in 1873 and retired to his farm, Boekenhoutfontein. His retirement was short-lived and he was elected to the Executive Council. Shortly after that he became Vice-President.  Paul Kruger led a resistance movement and became leader of a deputation. The first Anglo Boer war was 1880 and the British forces were defeated in a battle at Majuba in 1881. Paul Kruger was instrumental in negotiations with the British at this time, which later led to the restoration of Transvaal as an independent state under British rule.

    Paul Kruger was elected as president of the Transvaal in1882 at the age of 57. He left for England in 1883 to revise the Pretoria Convention of 1881, an agreement which was reached between the Boers and the British that ended the first Anglo Boer War. During this time in Europe Paul Kruger acquired many allies. Paul also attended an imperial banquet in Germany at which he was presented to Emperor Wilhelm I, and spoke at length with the renowned Bismarck.

    The political climate of the Transvaal changed with the discovery of gold in the Witwatersrand basin. It spurred a gold rush and immigrants from around the world descended on the gold fields in search of fortunes.  Paul Kruger’s leadership was put to the test at the end of 1895 when the failed Jameson Raid, led by Doctor Starr Jameson, brought about a breakdown in relations between the British and the Boers. It ultimately led to the second Anglo Boer War, known as the South African war.

    Kruger was known as a fierce protector of the Afrikaner nation and on being elected as President of South Africa in 1883, he tirelessly campaigned for South Africa’s complete independence from Britain and the abolition of British supervision.

    The South African war broke out in 1899 and Kruger, now 74, remained in Pretoria due to ill health until 1900. When the war swung in favour of the British army, Kruger was forced to flee the capital just days before Lord Roberts occupied the city. He boarded a Dutch warship at Lorenço Marques (Maputo) and left for Europe, where he lived out his remaining years in exile. He died of heart failure at the age of 79 years while still living in Switzerland.

    Kruger made allies of the European sovereignty and arch enemies of the British and was regarded as a fierce politician and military man. However, Paul Kruger’s legacy will always be the creation and the formation of the Kruger National Park.

    UNDER THREAT

    The Kruger National Park had a precarious start with numerous factions threatening its survival. Hunters wanted access to the Park; soldiers returning from the First World War expected land for sheep farming; prospectors wanted access to the land to search for gold, copper and coal; and South Africa’s veterinarians were campaigning for a mass slaughter of wildlife to contain the spread of tsetse fly disease.

    South African Railways (SAR) that incidentally saved the Kruger National Park when they opened a new route from Pretoria to Lorenço Marques (now Maputo in Mozambique). The train stopped within the reserve and travellers were allowed to explore the surrounding bush with a game ranger on hand.

    Awareness of the Park and growing interest in it empowered conservation lobbyists to secure the future of the Kruger National Park as a tourist destination that would generate revenue for it to be self-sustainable.

    The Kruger Park finally received international acclaim when Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret visited as part of their royal tour of South Africa and stayed in one of the first luxury lodges built in the reserve. By 1955, over 100 000 people were visiting the Park each year.

    The Kruger National Park grew in size when the game fences between the private reserves on Kruger’s western border came down in 1994. In 2001, the fences were removed between South Africa, Mozambique on its eastern border and Zimbabwe on its northern border. This created the multinational Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area.

    Now called a Peace Park, it incorporates Parque Nacional do Limpopo in Mozambique and Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe, making it the largest conservation reserve in Africa. The Peace Park is part of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere, an area designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO ) as an International Man and Biosphere Reserve.

    THE FIRST WARDEN – KRUGER PARK

    Scottish-born James Stevenson-Hamilton was appointed as initial warden of the Park in 1902 whilst it was still called the Sabie Game Reserve. The reserve was later united with Shinwedzi Game Reserve in 1927 and transformed into the Kruger national park. His journals are housed within the Memorial Library in Skukuza and make for fascinating reading.  He came to South Africa in 1888 as a member of the 6th Enniskillen Dragoons. This is the first time he came across wild game in the bush and he immediately fell in love with the country.

    He returned to South Africa during the second Boer War, as a major in the British army. He did not want to return to England at the end of the war and secured the position of Warden of the Sabi Game Reserve. There was no clear instruction on what to do in the position except to make himself “thoroughly disagreeable to everyone”.
    Stevenson-Hamilton took his job seriously and when he caught two policemen poaching game he had them arrested and convicted. This incident earned him quite a reputation. Amongst other tasks, he stopped the movement of cattle through the Park and stopped all prospecting for coal and minerals.

    In 1914, Stevenson-Hamilton joined the forces at the start of the First World War. He left the management of the Park in the hands of a ranger who ultimately let the administration slide. On his return to the Park, Stevenson-Hamilton found his beloved Park was in a shambles. He fought tooth-and-nail to save the Kruger National Park, as the war had stimulated greedy development of the land for agricultural purposes.

    The Selati Railway Line was established and this saved the Kruger Park. A 9-day tour of Mozambique and the Lowveld included a one-night stop at what is present-day Skukuza. Stevenson-Hamilton invited members of the Provincial Council to visit the reserve which helped these influential members of government to understand the value and importance of the proclaimed Park.

    Stevenson-Hamilton was called Skukuza by his staff, a Shangaan name meaning either “he who sweeps clean” or “he who turns everything upside down. Skukuza, roughly interpreted, is taken from the Zulu word for “broom”. However, it wasn’t a positive term as the Tsonga tribe was bitter at being deprived of their historical land. The main rest camp at Sabie Bridge was called Skukuza in Stevenson-Hamilton’s honour.

    Stevenson-Hamilton remained with the Park until he retired in 1945, on the eve of his 80th birthday.

    WILDERNESS TRAILS

    In 1957 the first wilderness trails were pioneered by a Natal Parks Board game ranger named Ian Player (brother of legendary South African golfer Gary Player) and his friend and mentor Magquba Ntombela. Dr Player is well-known for his work in environmental fields and international involvement in wildlife conservation.

    The wilderness trails established by Dr Player, as well as the walking safaris, were pioneered in South Africa in the 1950s and 1960s by visionary South African conservationists and forward-thinking individuals which has partly resulted in the Kruger National Park we know and love today.

    Dr Player is probably one of South Africa’s most highly regarded environmentalists and a conservationist who led efforts to rescue the southern white rhino from extinction.

    He was instrumental in developing the first wilderness trails in 1957 in the Kruger National Park.

    Player was a game ranger on the Umfolozi Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, the oldest nature reserve in Africa. When it was established in 1897, there were only about 50 southern white rhinos left in the world and all of them were on the reserve. The rhino faced extinction as vast numbers of Zulus that were displaced by the government’s land policy had settled on the borders of the reserve and poaching was out of control. There was also the threat of an anthrax breakout from stray infected cattle that wondered into the reserve.

    By the 1960s the Umfolozi’s population of white rhino had grown to 600; however, Player realised the danger of keeping an entire subspecies restricted to one small Park and started a campaign that eventually allow him permission to move a small herd of rhino to the Kruger National Park. This would ensure the survival of the rhino by establishing a gene pool in other regions of the country.

    By this stage, veterinarian Toni Haarthoorn had pioneered a “dope darting” technique that was used in Operation Rhino, one of the most successful wildlife translocation programmes that included moving rhino to other parts and to overseas reserves.

    PRE-HISTORIC MAN 

    Ample evidence shows that prehistoric man (Homo Erectus) roamed the Kruger National Park Area between 500 000 and 100 000 years ago. The Kruger National Park boasts 254 cultural heritage sites in the Kruger National Park, including nearly 130 recorded rock art sites. Over 300 archaeological sites of Stone Age man have been discovered dating back 100 000 to 30 000 years ago. There is evidence of Bushman tribes (San people) and Iron Age inhabitants dating back 1500 years ago and Nguni people as well as European explorers throughout the Kruger National Park area.

    Significant archeological finds have been at Thulamela and Masorini where there are numerous examples of San art.  San art can be found throughout The Kruger National Park Reserve.

    THE FIRST TOURISTS

    In 1927, when the Kruger National Park Was proclaimed a national park in south africa under the national parks act of 1926, the value of tourism from game reserves as a major source of revenue was already well established and The Kruger National Park had been identified as a main destination by that time.
    Stevenson-Hamilton, Warden of the Kruger National Park at the time had been arranging  excursions and overnight stays in the Kruger National Park. There were, however, no facilities for the tourists who usually slept on the train that had brought them to the Kruger National Park from Witwatersrand.

    Roads and small routes through the Kruger National Park were built with the hopes of attracting more tourists, the idea being that paying tourists would be accompanied by a guide.  The media of the time were invited to visit and write about the Kruger National Park and share their wildlife adventures in Kruger – over time the Kruger National Park became rather renowned and gained international repute.  There was still a problem with the lack of accommodation and facilities so, the South African Railways (SAR) approached the board of the Kruger National Park in 1927 with a request to erect quarters that the Park could rent to visitors. This  partnership between the Kruger National Park and South African Railways led to the development of the necessary infrastructure and roads. Facilities for guides and game rangers were erected throughout Kruger National Park and facilities and infrastructure abound.  In exchange for use of these facilities for their paying tourists, South African Railways undertook to provide all transport, by rail and road, and launched an advertising campaign, set up catering services and paid the board a percentage of the income received.

    Four two-track roads were built initially; from Crocodile Bridge to Lower Sabie, from Acornhoek to the Mozambique border, from Gravelote to Makubas Kraal (near Letaba) and from White River to Pretoriuskop.

    The Pretoriuskop area was opened to tourists in 1927 but only on the issue of a permit from the secretary of the board in Pretoria and the game warden on duty at Pretoriuskop. This arrangement was restrictive and confusing and eventually the board appointed an agency in 1931 to issue permits at Numbi Gate.

    There were still no overnight facilities built at that time and the general public had to leave the Park before the gates closed in the evening. Hunting by this stage had been strictly prohibited but visitors could carry a revolver on them for their personal protection.

    SAR received permission from the board to open the railway bridges over the Crocodile, Sabie and Olifants Rivers for motor vehicles, and to run a train service on the Selati Railway for tourists. The number of visitors to the Kruger National Park steadily grew as it became more accessible and convenient.

    MODERN TOURISM IN THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

    The board of Kruger National Park committed in 1928, to extensive plans to boost tourism to the reserve. A total of three new rest huts were built at Satara, Pretoriuskop and Skukuza. A year later, two rondavels (round houses) were built at Skukuza, and two were built at Satara. there were plans submitted to build more rondavels at other camps were the and older ranger quarters were restored and made available for tourists. The Kruger National Park was set to start attracting overnight stays.

    Originally the design of the original rondavels was in the “Selby” style, named after an American mine engineer, Paul Selby, that was on the board at the time. There was a gap between the wall and the roof for ventilation, and there was a hole in the door that was used as a peephole to see if there were dangerous animals outside the hut. The rest camps were not fenced and animals roamed freely in and out of the designated visitors’ area.

    The original rondavels weren’t well-liked as they were stiflingly hot in summer and mosquitoes came in through the open gaps. From 1931, new rondavels were designed that were closed to the thatch roof and had windows in them. The board extended any developments including tented rest camps and ancient huts created type wattle and native cement.

    The first ablution blocks went up at Skukuza in 1932, with four baths and four showers. The rest camps were also finally fenced at the same time. more modern and improved designs were introduced and the Kruger National Park took on a more uniform look overall, as it was previously quite haphazard. Facilities focused on the comfort and needs of tourists, as well as their safety.

    Hot water for bathing was a luxury in those early days. Eventually the board relented and provided hot running water to the camps on the condition tourists paid one shilling per bath.

    Demand for accommodation had increased so much by the mid 1930’s that the Kruger National Park board asked the government for additional funding of £50,000 and additional beds and rest camps were made available for some 200 visitors.

    Kruger National Park received even more fiscal support from the government. Money was spent on luxuries such as mosquito nets, septic tanks and hot showers, the park also invested heavily in game management programmes.

    The board of Kruger National Park started charging a fee to visit the Park for the first time in 1928 to raise much-needed revenue. Five shillings for day visitors and a nominal charge per car was implemented. Visitors could hire a game ranger to escort them through the Park for an added fee, they were also charged to cross the rivers in their cars on pontoons that were set up.

    The board also outsourced the management of the rest camps and refreshment stops for Skukuza and Satara to independent contractors and providers when tourist traffic increased to a point that the Park staff could no longer manage the demand.

    These contractors were responsible for the issuing of permits, supervision at the camps and catering services. The rest camps were only equipped with wood and ‘riempie’ beds and visitors could hire mattresses and linen from the camp supervisors.

    The board eventually employed their own management staff to run the rest camps because of the number of complaints from the tourists. The board took over all trade activities and employed the first tourism manager in the mid-1940s. In the 1960s, the first liquor license was issued.

    The rules and regulations for the Kruger National Park when it first opened to visitors were pretty relaxed, except that firearms were strictly prohibited. Tourists had pretty much free range and did not even have to return to the rest camps at night. However, the first list of regulations was published in the 1930s when poor behaviour started causing problems.

    Tourists were limited to driving through the Park between sunrise and sunset, and were made to return to their rest camp for the evening. A strict speed limit was implemented and littering was prohibited. The board appointed the Automobile Association (AA) to run a service where patrol cars would monitor traffic on the Park roads.

    The only mode of transport when the Park was first proclaimed was the Selati railway line, ox wagons, buggy carts, pack donkeys and horses. There were no roads and no vehicles in the Park in those days.

    Bush clearing started in earnest in 1927 and the first roads were put in to create more convenient routes between the ranger’s posts within the Kruger National Park. The construction of roads within the Kruger National Park for tourists followed a few years later. Three pontoons were built on the main rivers and a new causeway was built over the Sand River and the Letaba River.

    The impressive road network that had developed by 1946 was a massive achievement, considering how remote the Kruger National Park was, and the fact that the Kruger National Park was in serious financial trouble, had a shortage of equipment and lacked manpower.

    Requests to tar the roads were vehemently opposed, with the thinking that it would turn the reserve into a “glorified Park” and it would lose its natural appeal. Stevenson-Hamilton was strongly opposed to tarring the roads, saying it would result in speeding incidents and the death of animals.

    Permission to tar the roads was only granted in 1965 and only for the main strip between Pretoriuskop and Skukuza. Today there are more than 850 kilometres of tarred roads in the Park.

    THE TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOGRAPHY OF THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

    The Kruger Park is in the north-east of South Africa on the confluence of the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. The Luvuvhu and Limpopo Rivers converge at Crookes Corner in the Pafuri triangle at the most northerly point of the Park and if you stand in the river bed, you have Mozambique on your right, Zimbabwe straight ahead and South Africa on your left.

    The Lebombo Mountains towards the eastern region of the Park separates Kruger Park from Mozambique. The Limpopo and the Crocodile Rivers act as its natural boundaries on the north and south of the park.

    The Kruger National Park’s topography varies and altitude ranges between 200 metres (660 feet) in the east and 840 metres ( 2 760 feet) in the south-west near Berg-en-Dal. The highest point in the Kruger Park is a hill called Khandzalive.

    Several rivers run through the park including the Sabie River, Olifants River, Crocodile River, Letaba River, Luvuvhu River and Limpopo River.

    A NEW FRONTIER: THE GREAT LIMPOPO TRANSFRONTIER PARK

    In the year 2000 a vision to create Peace Park came to fruition when a multi-national agreement led to the fences being brought down between the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, the Kruger National Park, and Makuleke region in South Africa, and Gonarezhou National Park, Manjinji Pan Sanctuary and Malipati Safari Area in Zimbabwe.

    The fences were removed based on a Memorandum of Understanding that did away with political boundaries that restricted the free movement of animals along old migratory routes. In 2001 the first 40 elephants were relocated from Kruger Park to Limpopo National Park (including 3 breeding herds of a planned 1 000 elephants).

    The aim of these transfrontier parks is to preserve traditional animal migration patterns, and ensure there are sufficient food and water sources as the population of animals increase. Peace Parks also encourage tourism and economic development that is mutually beneficial for all parties. It is entirely reliant on the goodwill and integrity of the frontier countries.

    SEASONS AND CLIMATES FOR KRUGER PARK SAFARI

    The Kruger National Park is in the Lowveld region and is part of a subtropical zone where summer days are hot and humid (temperatures often reaching the 40°C (100°F) mark.)

    Rainfall mainly occurs in the summer months, with showers expected from September until May. Early September to October are considered the best game viewing months as the grass is thin short due to the preceding drier months making for excellent game viewing. The winter months from are popular because the mosquitos are less active in the cooler months and there is less chance of contracting malaria if you are not taking prophylactics. The game also conveniently stay close to the watering holes in the drier winter months and this attracts the predators which makes it an ideal time of the year for game viewing.

    KRUGER NATIONAL PARK FLORA

    The Kruger National Park is has four main bushveld regions that each boast their own distinctive appeal:

    • Thorn trees and red bush-willow veld
      Between the western boundary and roughly the centre of the Park south of the  Olifants River. Combretums, like the red bush-willow (Combretum apiculatum) and  Acacia species dominate while there vast numbers of marula trees (Sclerocarya  caffra). There are many Acacias along the rivers and streams.
    • Knob-thorn and marula veld
      South of the Olifants River in the eastern half of the Park, this area provides the most  important land for grazing. Species such as red grass (Themeda triandra) and buffalo  grass (Panicum maximum) predominate while the knob-thorn (Acacia nigrescens),  leadwood (Combretum imberbe) and marula (Sclerocarya caffra) trees are the main  tree species.
    • Red bushwillow and mopane veld
      This area lies in the western half of the Park, north of the Olifants River. The two  most prominent species here are the red bushwillow (Combretum apiculatum) and  the mopane tree (Colophospermum mopane).
    • Shrub mopane veld
      Shrub mopane covers almost the entire north-eastern part of the Park. There are a  number of smaller areas in the Park which carry distinctive vegetation such as  Pretoriuskop where the sickle bush and the silver cluster-leaf (Terminalia sericea) are  prominent. The sandveld communities near Punda Maria are equally definitive, with  a wide variety of unique species.

    KRUGER NATIONAL PARK BIRDING

    The Kruger National Park is a birder’s paradise boasting 517 species of birds; 253 are residents, 117 non-breeding migrants and 147 nomads.

    Locally called the Big 6, there are six large species that are mostly restricted to the Park’s conservation areas. They are the lappet-faced vulture, martial eagle, saddle-billed stork, kori bustard, ground hornbill and the reclusive Pel’s fishing owl, which is localized and seldom seen.

    There are between 25 and 30 breeding pairs of saddle-billed storks in the Kruger National Park, besides a handful of non-breeding individuals. In 2012 178 family groups of ground hornbills roamed the Park and 78 nests were known, of which 50% were active.

    Pafuri and Punda Maria in the far north of the Park are regarded as one of the birding hotspots of the world. There are a number of species in the Kruger National Park that are not found anywhere else in the world.

    The rest camps in the Park are where birds often see some of the best birds, particularly those bushveld camps that are situated on one of the main rivers. The comical hornbills and glossy starlings have made the rest camps their home, with easy pickings from picnic scraps and family barbeques.

    The many dams scattered around the Kruger National Park are excellent birding spots, with the African Fish Eagle being a prize sighting. Its signature call is an absolute delight.

    Let us take a look at the few bird routes in the Kruger National Park that attract avid birders to the region.

    • Lowveld Mpumalanga Birding Route
      This is a popular birding route in the southern part of the Park which is a sub-tropical area with a lot of open bushland. Typical species of trees in the area include the acacia, leadwood, marula and tamboti trees. Common species found in the area include the African scops-owl, bateleur, crested francolin, lilac-breasted roller, southern ground hornbill and white-crested helmet shrike. Some of the sought-after and rare birds found in this route include the martial eagle, narina trogon and southern bald ibis.
    • Soutpansberg-Limpopo birding route
      This route falls within the northern region of the Kruger National Park and is part of the Greater Limpopo birding route which extends beyond the borders of the Park through Mapungubwe National Park, the Soutpansberg mountain range and Venda. Punda Maria is known for sightings of the crowned hornbill, eastern (yellow-spotted) nicator and mosque swallow. The mopani bush and woodland areas attract the Arnott’s chat, black coucal, little bittern, racket-tailed roller and white-breasted cuckooshrike. Along the banks of the Levuvhu River, look out for the Böhm’s spinetail, Dickinson’s kestrel, lemon-breasted canary, mottled spinetail, river warbler and sooty falcon.
    • Kruger to Canyons Biosphere birding route
      This route incorporates parts of northern Kruger National Park and big sections of the central region. It begins outside the park in Graskop, moves along the Blyde River Canyon, down to Hoedspruit and on to the Kruger National Park via Phalaborwa. Popular sightings include the African barred owlet, collared (red-winged) pratincole, Pel’s fishing-owl, white-crowned lapwing (plover) and yellow-billed oxpecker.

    THE GREAT BIG 5

    The Big 5 was a collective term used for the most difficult animals to hunt, namely Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, Transvaal Lion & Cape Buffalo. This term takes on a much more gentle form today, and refers to spotting the “Big Five” out in the wild and NOT shooting them!  All five species are endangered to some extent and under threat of extinction from poaching that continues despite earnest anti-poaching programmes.

    • Buffalo’s primary predator is the lion. Buffalo will try to rescue another member who has been caught. They have been observed killing a lion after it has killed a member of the group.
    • Leopards are excellent at climbing trees. They’ll often safeguard their kill in a tree to prevent lions and hyenas from stealing it. They are also strong swimmers and occasionally eat fish and crabs.
    • African elephants communicate across large distances at a low frequency that cannot be heard by humans.
    • Rhinos have poor vision and will sometimes attack trees and rocks by accident. However, their hearing and sense of smell are excellent, thus often making up for their poor eyesight.
    • The African or Cape buffalo is not believed to be closely related to the water buffalo even though they superficially resemble each other. And unlike the water buffalo, the dangerous African buffalo has never been domesticated.
    • The rhino is the most endangered species of the Big Five. Rhino poaching worldwide hit a 15-year high in 2009. The illegal trade is being driven by an Asian demand for horns, made worse by increasingly sophisticated poachers who are now using veterinary drugs, poison, cross bows and high caliber weapons to kill rhinos. Very few rhinos now survive outside national parks and reserves.
    • Typically, the darker a lion’s mane, the older he is.
    • The leopard is nocturnal, solitary and secretive, staying hidden during the day. They are the least seen of the Big Five.
    • Many plant species have evolved seeds that are dependent on passing through an elephant’s digestive tract before they can germinate. At least one third of tree species in West African forests rely on elephants in this way for dissemination.
    • White rhinos aren’t white, but slate gray to yellowish brown in color. The species name actually takes its root from Dutch, “weit” (wide), in reference to the animal’s wide muzzle.

    What to look out for at the Kruger National Park

    There is so much more to the Kruger National Park than the Big 5.  Birders and animal enthusiasts can enjoy an abundance of game both big and small in the Kruger National Park.

    The Little Five: Buffalo Weaver, Elephant Shrew, Leopard Tortoise, Ant Lion and Rhino Beetle
    Birding Big 6: Ground Hornbill, Kori Bustard, Lappet-faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, Pel’s Fishing Owl and Saddle-billed Stork
    Five Trees: Baobab, Fever Tree, Knob Thorn, Marula and Mopane Tree

    KRUGER NATIONAL PARK REST CAMPS

    Main Rest Camps:

    • Berg-en-Dal (with satellite Malelane)
    • Crocodile Bridge
    • Letaba
    • Lower Sabie
    • Mopani (with satellite Tsendze)
    • Olifants (with satellite Balule)
    • Orpen (with satellites Maroela and Tamboti)
    • Pretoriuskop
    • Punda Maria
    • Satara
    • Shingwedzi
    • Skukuza

    In addition to the 12 main rest camps that are popular destinations for overnight visitors, the Kruger National Park has an array of bush camps and private lodges for those wanting a more exclusive experience.

    Bushveld camps:
    • Bateleur
    • Biyamiti
    • Boulders
    • Balule
    • Malelane
    • Maroela
    • Roodewal
    • Shimuwini
    • Talamati
    • Tsendze
    • Private lodges:
    • Camp Shawu
    • Camp Shonga
    • Hamiltons Tented Camp
    • Hoyo Hoyo Tsonga Lodge
    • Imbali Safari Lodge
    • Jocks Safari Lodge & Spa
    • Lukimbi Safari Lodge
    • Pafuri Camp
    • Plains Camp
    • Rhino Post Camp
    • Shishangeni Lodge
    • Singita Lebombo Lodge
    • Singita Sweni Lodge
    • The Outpost Lodge
    • Tinga Game Lodges

    ENTRANCE GATES

    The Kruger National Park has 9 gates:

    • Crocodile Bridge Gate, near Komatipoort
    • Malelane Gate, near Malelane
    • Numbi Gate, near Hazyview
    • Phabeni Gate, near Hazyview
    • Paul Kruger Gate, near Hazyview
    • Orpen Gate, near Klaserie
    • Phalaborwa Gate, near Phalaborwa
    • Punda Maria Gate, near Thohoyandou
    • Pafuri Gate, near Musina


    DAY VISITORS

    Day visitors to the Kruger National Park are welcomed and encouraged. All the main rest camps have areas allocated for day visitors and there are a few picnic spots dotted around the Park where visitors can enjoy a mid-day break.

    The Park manages the volume of traffic on its roads by imposing a maximum number of vehicles allowed in each day and during high-peak season it’s important that visitors book beforehand to ensure they will be able to enter the Park.

    The Kruger National Park recently introduced a “Park and Ride” facility which is available at the Numbi, Phabeni and Kruger gates.

    CULTURAL SITES

    Most visitors head off into the bush for morning and evening game drives. The time in-between can be spent at one of the natural or cultural features in the Park:

    Letaba Elephant Museum

    The museum covers elephant evolution, biology, behaviour, ecology and research. It also showcases the ivory of eight of Kruger’s greatest tuskers (including six of the Magnificent Seven). This site introduces you to these, and some of Kruger’s other big tuskers. It also has fun and games for kids and information for schools and educators.

    Albasini Ruins

    The Albasini Ruins are located at the Phabeni Gate and are the remains of the 19th century trading post of the famous Portuguese trader, Joao Albasini.

    Albasini arrived in the then Portuguese-occupied port of Lourenco Marques (now Maputo, Mozambique) in the early 1800s and set up a trading business. He set up an extensive network of trading routes that reached inland as far as the Lowveld. By 1845, Albasini had established a vital trading post at Magashula’s Kraal (now the site of the Albasini Ruins) which was positioned along two of the most active trading routes.

    Legend has it that Magashula’s Kraal was the first European settlement, where traders sought refuge from the disease-ridden Lowveld. Albasini and fellow intrepid traders lived under difficult conditions of poor trade and the threat of deadly diseases such as malaria and tsetse fly. Magashula’s Kraal was renowned for its fine white bread, which was made from grain grown at the trading post.

    Masorini

    Evidence of early man from the late Iron Age can be found at a site on a prominent hill just 12 kilometres from the Phalaborwa gate on the tar road to Letaba rest camp. The site was inhabited by the Sotho-speaking BaPhalaborwa during the 1800s, who developed advanced methods of mining, smelting iron ore and trading in these iron products.

    Dome-shaped clay furnaces used to smelt the iron ore are found at the Masorini site, which has been reconstructed as closely as possible to the original iron works. This living museum can be explored with a field guide.

    Thulamela archaeological sites

    Thulamela is a stone-walled site located in the northern region of the Park, and dates back to between 450-500 years. It comprises evidence of the Zimbabwe culture and is linked to the world-famous Mapungubwe Ruins.

    When Great Zimbabwe was abandoned, several groups moved south across the Limpopo River into the north-eastern regions of South Africa (including northern Kruger). They established smaller chiefdoms such as Thulamela and started farming subsistence crops such as sorghum and millet. The grain was ground and used to make porridge and beer.

    There is evidence of clay spindle wheels which would suggest that the people also grew cotton. There are remains of pots of various shapes and sizes, some decorated, which were used for cooking, eating and drinking.

    Stevenson-Hamilton Memorial Library

    The knowledge resource centre is located at Skukuza, the largest rest camp in the Kruger National Park. It consists of a library and a museum and holds many fascinating artefacts, books and valuable documents depicting the life and times of James Stevenson-Hamilton who was the first Warden of the Sabie Game Reserve, now the Kruger National Park.

    The rest camp was named Skukuza as it was the nickname given to Stevenson-Hamilton by the Shangaan people. It was his job to stop poaching and to create a safe haven for wild animals that were being ruthlessly hunted. His nickname means “he who sweeps clean” or “he who turns everything upside down”. It has a more negative connotation as Stevenson-Hamilton was responsible for the relocation programme that move the native people out of the area when it was proclaimed a national park.

    One of the most popular attractions at the museum is the knife that belonged to Harry Wolhuter, a ranger who killed a lion that had him firmly in his jaws and was dragging him through the bush.

    There is also a small “Heroes’ Acre” outside the museum where the loyal pets who served their masters and played a role in protecting the park are remembered. Some died of old age and some in the line of duty.

    PARK REGULATIONS

    Visitors are expected to adhere to strict rules and regulations that govern gate and rest camp opening/closure times. Plan your arrival/departure times and game viewing around these times as fines are imposed on late arrivals or you may be turned away from the entrance gates if you arrive too late. You have to factor in the time it will take you to drive from the entrance gate to your overnight rest camp, driving at the enforced speed limit.

    Speeding is a prosecutable infringement and strictly monitored. Drive slowly for the sake of the animals.

    Visitors may only get out of their vehicles at designated picnic spots or look-out points, and you will face a hefty fine if caught with heads and bodies out of the car. There is an online app that encourages visitors to post photos of badly behaved visitors and if they catch your license plate on camera, the driver may be banned from visiting the Park.

    A list of the Park’s rules and regulations are provided on entry into the Park and visitors are expected to adhere to them or face the consequences.

    The use of drones inside (and just outside) all national Parks is strictly prohibited in line with anti-poaching measures.

    Visitors can occupy their accommodation from 14h00 and must vacate the premises by 10h00.

    Late arrivals are only permitted in cases of emergency (proof and a valid reason is required) until 21h00 for guests with pre-booked accommodation at certain camps within 10kms from the entry gates. A late arrival fee of up to R500 will be charged. No late arrivals are allowed at Pafuri, Phalaborwa and Phabeni gates or any other gates where the rest camps are more than 10kms away.

    KRUGER NATIONAL PARK FOR LITTLE ONES

    Long game drives with small kids are not recommended, as most parents know. It is important then that you choose to stay in one of the main rest camps that cater for children. These rest camps have swimming pools and open space that is fenced and safe for children to run around in.

    Berg en Dal in southern Kruger is a spacious camp with a stunning viewing area overlooking the Matjulu Dam. There is a well-kept walking path around the perimeter of the camp that is suitable for kids.

    Skukuza in southern Kruger has a beautiful dining and viewing area overlooking the Sabie River. Children can be taken through the Stevenson-Hamilton library and museum to learn about the history of the Park. Skukuza has a large, well-stocked shop with something for everyone.

    Satara in central Kruger is located in what is known as “cat country”, where you are fairly guaranteed to see one or all of the big cats such as lion, cheetah and leopard.

    There is a jungle gym and kids’ play area at the swimming pool.

    Letaba in central Kruger is where you will find the Elephant Museum which is a must-see attraction for the whole family. Children can learn more about the past and current “Tuskers” and there are various wildlife displays, diagrams, models and pictures. The camp restaurant overlooks the Letaba River.

    Punda in northern Kruger is remote and far from the maddening crowds. However, it is a long drive to the northern regions of the Park and not ideal for small children as it is a malaria area. Older children who have an interest in birding will enjoy Punda as it is renowned as the best birding area in the Park.

    WARNINGS

    The main rest camps are fenced and you are safe within its boundaries, except for the odd encounter with a greedy baboon at your braai. However, small rodents, bats, insects and snakes will find their way into the rest camps and you must always be aware of your surroundings.

    Rodents and other hungry critters are lured to the rest camps for easy pickings in the litter bins or food left out. Take care to put leftover food away in cupboards or fridges and don’t throw meat bones in the nearby bushes.

    To avoid stepping on a spider, scorpion or snake; firstly always wear closed shoes walking around the camp and don’t go anywhere without a torch after the sun goes down.

    If you see snake in your path or near your accommodation, alert a camp supervisor. Don’t poke or prod it, and definitely don’t try to pick it up. Snakes are usually more scared of you than you are of them, and will slither away quickly.

    Bats are your friends as they eat literally hundreds of mosquitoes a night but if one flies into your room, do not panic. Calmly place a towel over the bat and release it outside. Call a camp supervisor for assistance if you’re not up to the task.

    You will see signs all over the camps warning visitors not to feed the monkeys, baboons and tame bushbuck. They might look cute but they can become very aggressive and then they have to be destroyed. Pack away any edible foodstuff and close doors and windows when you leave your cottage. Monkeys and baboons are so clever they have learnt to open fridges and cupboards.

 

Viva Safaris Guest Video

Client Courtney Bassett recently joined us on safari and made this awesome video of her experience, which she kindly gave us permission to share!

 

Latest Reviews

September 2024: Amazing Experience

Me and my mum had the pleasure to go on a 5 day safari at Tremisana lodge. The experience with Viva Safaris was truly unforgettable! From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by the warm and welcoming staff who made us feel right at home. Their hospitality and attentiveness were second to none and exceeded all my expectations.

The lodge was beautiful—comfortable, clean, and perfectly nestled in the natural surroundings. Waking up to the sights and sounds of the African bush was an experience we will cherish forever. The food was another highlight of the trip. Every meal was delicious! Whether it was a hearty breakfast before setting off on a game drive or a delicious BBQ right in the bush, the quality and presentation of the food were consistently excellent.

Of course, the safari experience itself was phenomenal. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the wildlife, offering fascinating insights into the animals and their habitats. We had the pleasure to go on activities with Nadine, Luke, Smiley and Rocky and they were all awesome! Thanks to their expertise, we were able to witness some incredible wildlife sightings, including the Big Five. Each game drive felt like an adventure, and the guides’ deep understanding of the environment made the experience even more enriching.

In summary, Viva Safaris delivered an exceptional experience from start to finish. The combination of lovely staff, amazing food, beautiful lodges, and unforgettable wildlife sightings made this a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. I cannot recommend Viva Safaris highly enough—if you are looking for an authentic, well-organized, and magical safari experience, this is the company to choose!

Guys, thank you for everything! We had the best time with you and we can´t wait to come back.

Maria & Mama

Maria P

July 2024: Unforgettable Experience

We did a 6 day/5 night safari with viva safaris staying one night at Tremisana and 4 nights at Marc’s Treehouse Lodge and every element of the safari exceeded our expectations. Noone in my group wanted to leave. Our experience was that viva safaris was very professional and experienced and knew how to offer us an unforgettable experience at an excellent value for money price point. Tremisana and Marc’s Treehouse Lodge have an abundance of charm and offer differing experiences/levels of comfort/exposure to wildlife to suit different tastes.

However from a list of many highs, it was undoubtedly the staff who really made it a truly unforgettable experience for us, closely followed by all the fabulous other guests we met in safari jeeps and around the camp fire. For those of you considering booking a viva safari, I fully recommend this company with all my heart but would suggest carefully reading their company information so that you chose the tour/accommodation which is perfectly suited to you and have the best experience.

For example, if you are only looking for 5 star lodges, Michelin starred chefs and elaborate cocktails every night, I would suggest that viva safaris, given their exceptional South African bush hospitality and value for money prices, isn’t best suited to your needs. For everyone else, there is an amazing option. The charming accommodation at Tremisana offers more hotel style rooms/comfort in a lodge surrounded by electric fences to keep wildlife out of the lodge grounds (apart from the adorable monkeys). The fence is unobtrusive and we spent a lot of time sat in the breakfast area peacefully watching animals come to the small water hole. This level of comfort/exposure to wildlife may best suit some people.

For us, a treehouse at Marc’s Treehouse Lodge was the perfect accommodation. It could be seen as a form of incredibly charming glamping in an unforgettable area where wildlife is not restricted and roams freely. We stayed in treehouses 10 and 11 which both had en suites and were a very short walk to the main facilities. Some treehouses have outside facilities and some are located further away from the main areas with an even greater abundance of wildlife. For the more adventurous who enjoy the idea of glamping, these facilities would be perfect.

Marc’s treehouse Lodge also offers basic permanent tent structures with basic shared camp facilities located a little walk from the main area and surrounded by wildlife. For people on a tighter budget who enjoy camping, these could be a perfect option. My only advice would be to be honest with yourself and select the level of comfort/exposure to wildlife which truly suits you to ensure you have a once in a lifetime unforgettable experience. My second piece of advice would be to stay as long as your budget/schedule allows, to give yourself the greatest opportunity for unforgettable safari experiences.

We went in winter, which was positive for animal spotting and less mosquitos/snakes etc. Despite it still being hot during the day, we did find it went very could at night and on early morning drives. This wasn’t so much of an issue at the Tremisana camp but given the structures at Marc’s treehouse Lodge, you will feel the cold. This was easily managed by wearing appropriate clothes and taking the fabulous staff up on the offer of hot water bottles and blankets.

Every day on or 6 day safari was a highlight. I vividly still remember Ray and George picking us up from our hotel in Johannesburg spot on time and setting a high bar for African hospitality, charm and friendliness, as well as Viva Safari professionalism and organisation.

Our first sunset drive with Lucky and seeing our first animals on safari, followed by an amazing bush bbq under the stars and under the gaze of a watchful hyena. Our amazing bush walk to a hippo filled river with Smiley and Nadine and being a voyeur of an African wild dog hunting an antelope. Trips out in Balule with Nadine, Andy and Victor, all using their exceptional knowledge and skills to show us the greatest variety of animals and tracking a rhino. Most unforgettable however is how each guide brings their own personality, humour, perspective and experience to each activity. No activity is ever exactly the same.

Our safari only got to experience a little of the food from Mamma D and her team at Tremisana, which was delicious. Most of our meals were at Marc’s Treehouse Lodge and for the majority of our time left in South Africa after the safari, at every meal someone would mention that it wasn’t as good as Mamma T’s food at camp, or that we missed the genuine South African bush hospitality from her unforgettable team there (all the fabulous ladies and both Richards). Each morning we woke up to wonder what would be for breakfast today and the road trip back to camp was spent excitedly looking forward to what one of the charming ladies would announce would be for our delicious dinner and what special twist Mamma T would add to it.
Quentin and Charles would make sure every night that there was nothing more they could do to make our stay more enjoyable and charmingly talk to us about what was important to them at that time, from Springbok rugby results to rhino protection.

Each morning at Marc’s treehouse, Andy would be waiting for us to take us on a new adventure. Unassumingly sharing with us all his charm, humour, personality and expertise. Taking us to Kruger for unforgettable wildlife spotting and to Moholoholo to experience the added element of finding out more about the risks facing the unique African wildlife we came to love and the projects in place to try and protect and rehabilitate them. All in all a fabulous, highly recommended experience in an amazing part of the world which we shared with remarkable people.

Mart J

United Kingdom

July 2024: A little slice of South African heaven at Marc Treehouse Lodge

This place was a little slice of heaven. Our Safari was booked via Viva Safaris and I was extremely impressed with the level of organisation; they had a variety of different groups booked up for different experiences and at different types of accommodations and yet our entire experience went seamlessly.

When we arrived at Marc’s Treehouse Lodge we were given a brief tour and explanation of what to expect before being shown to our room. We opted for a room with an indoor toilet as given that the lodge isn’t fenced, my girlfriend was a bit apprehensive about taking midnight trips to the outdoor bathroom. The room itself was quite natural and rustic looking which was right up our street – it was also very spacious. Given that it was winter in South Africa, the rooms were quite cold during the early mornings and late evenings, however, the staff provided lovely thick blankets and I slept like a baby, often listening to the roars of lions off in the distance.

Over the next few days we met all the staff and they couldn’t of been more helpful – no task was too great or too small for them to help with. They were all extremely knowledgeable in the area and the animals, providing us with answers to all our questions. I’d like to give a special shout out to Quinton who was an absolute gem of a person, he made our trip and I miss him very much! If you see this Quniton, Thank you!

As mentioned before, the lodge is unfenced which creates quite an exciting experience. The staff informed us that the lights and noise keep the predators at a distance so it’s a very safe place. Given the absence of predators, we often saw many prey animals like Impalas wandering the grounds; this provided a unique opportunity to study them at close range.

With the exception of our lunch on full days out at Kruger Park, all our meals were fully catered to by the lodges 3 Mamas. The food was amazing and they always served us with smiles on their faces. That being said, I can only imagine that they were happy to see me leave as I was constantly pestering them for beers from the hotel bar 🙂

The safaris themselves were unbelievable days out! The guides were kind, entertaining and extremely knowledgeable in the animals. We saw everything that we wanted to see. Truly an unforgettable experience.

I often get a bit of the holiday blues whenever I leave a destination, but it was a particularly strong sadness I felt when I left Marc’s Treehouse Lodge. Thank you to all the staff that helped make this trip an unbelievable experience that I will cherish forever. I hope I can one day return to see you all again!

Dario C

Colombia

May 2024: A truly magical safari made special by Viva safaris!

We have not long returned from a 7 day safari and WOW! What an amazing trip. All the staff are a real credit to Viva safaris!

To start off, booking the trip was done with ease and even offering help with recommendations of places in Johannesburg to stay and attractions.

We were collected and dropped off by George who was extremely friendly. The drive is quite long but is made easier with a few stop offs and a lunch break. On the way home you stop at Blyde river canyon which the view is breathtaking!

When we arrived at Tremisana we were greeted by Ed who showed us to our rooms and provided our itinerary for the rest of the day.

Shortly after arrival we got straight into the action with a game drive along with a bush bbq in the middle which was great (even a hyena joined us!). Highly recommend doing the bush walk as it’s very exhilarating seeing animals up close on foot! We enjoyed many other game drives in Balule game reserve to which we saw many animals up close, especially with the elephants!

We enjoyed two full days in Kruger which also provided so many great viewings with loads of animals. My favourite were seeing the wild dogs, two lions with two cubs and a huge herd of elephants cross the road right in front and behind our vehicle. I recommend binoculars as some animals can be further from the roads whereas others just walk across/ along the roads. The lunch stop is great at Kruger allowing time for some good food, drinks and shopping.

We also enjoyed the visiting the rehabilitation centre which was great to see some animals close up and very informative with the problems they face on a daily bases.

The lodges are basic but clean and comfortable which is all you need as after all you are in the bush! I enjoyed spending any spare time in the lapa area as just sitting there animals such as hyena, elephants and warthogs wondered past. My dad also thoroughly enjoyed a close encounter with the troublesome elephant that broke into the garden to enjoy the tree! The food choice is slightly limited but very tasty as it’s all fresh and home cooked.

The staff at Tremisana really go above and beyond to make your trip amazing and feel very welcome. The staff were always friendly and happy to help if you needed anything. The communication is exceptional by the staff providing your itinerary for that day or the next and is very well organised.

The guides are what make your holiday! All the guides we had were truly wonderful. They really try their hardest to give you amazing sightings as you cannot guarantee anything. All the guides were really passionate about the wildlife and you could see the enjoyment they experienced when they found animals for their guests to see. Each guide we had made our trip amazing and each of them have such great personalities which really make the drives so fun. Big thanks to them all Ray, Nadine, Victor, Luke, Lucky, KG and Andries.

We didn’t want to leave as this trip has given us many magical moments so much so, that we are already talking about how soon we can come back!

Thank you Viva Safaris!

Courtney B

United Kingdom

January 2024: A wonderful stay at Katekani

I had a wonderful stay at Katekani lodge! I stayed for 4 nights as part of a 6 day Viva Safaris experience and I am super-happy with my choice of accommodation.

The “tents” are huge and I really appreciated the air con as it was really hot. Also, the private pool was great for cooling after long safari drives. However, the best of the best are the staff, especially Margaret with her hospitality, care and cooking. Food was excellent!!!

I was also lucky with animal sightings and saw the big five by day two. I actually ended up seeing the leopard three times!!! This was my fourth longer safari trip (having been to Kenya, Tanzania and to other parts of South Africa before), and these were my first ever leopard sightings. The drivers / rangers on the drives and walks were knowledgable and great fun.

Big thumbs up to Viva Safaris!

Hanna-Kaisa

Finland

December 2023: Wonderful experience

After having travelled for decades either on business or on private occasions the expectation for a Kruger safari were relatively high for my wife and myself. Therefore we chose Tremisana Lodge for a 6 day Safari due to their long experience and the very good feedback on various sites on the Internet.

To make it short: Our expectations were exceeded by far. The whole Tremisana team made sure we were well looked after and spoilt us rotten.

First: The game drive tours with the experienced rangers were excellent.

Second: The lodge itself with the very friendly crew, the food and the whole premesises with pool were magnificent and offered a wonderful time to wind down from the excitement of experiencing wildlife close up.

Third: The whole organisation, pick up in Joburg and the safe transportation were very well done and all in time.

We would book Tremisana Tour anytime again and recommend it to anyone looking for a well-rounded trip with a wonderful crew.

Edith & Markus Rupp

Markus Rupp

Germany

September 2023: Amazing experience … do it !!

I won’t be able to fit how amazing this experience was into words but here goes … if you are thinking about booking with Viva Safaris, absolutely do it , not only do we have zero complaints but it was an experience of a lifetime .

From a practical side, the trip was great value for money, included everything you could want , you get to see so much in a short timeframe , the schedule ran like clockwork and everything and everyone were very professional.

But from a personal side, some things money can’t buy, and that is the knowledge of all the guides , the helpfulness of everyone that works there and how they make you feel like part of a family.

Their hospitality and kindness and all the small touches were like no where else we have ever visited , everyone was so special in their own right , people skills cannot be bought and there are really some special people working there.

We had a lovely stay for 1 night in Tremisana and then onto Katekani for 3 nights , only wish it was more .for the price the trip cost I really wasn’t expecting it to be so comfortable, to be fed so well and for everything to be so perfect!

We also did a lovely trip to Mohololo Rehabilitation Centre which I found excellent and very educational.

If you want to, you will learn a lot from everyone here.

You guys have some great people , please don’t change !! We can’t name everyone but particularly we have to thank Smiley of course for his fun spirit and his knowledge , Andy for his wonderful manner and also great knowledge. Victor and Sully for being absolute gentlemen, Mama P and Mama J at Katekani for making us feel like part of a family and looking after us so well, these guys all work so hard and yet they are smiling all the time!

We even were invited for lunch with the managers , how nice is that , that they sat and ate with us , the hospitality as I said , is unbelievable.

But have to say a big “fair play” as we say in Ireland , to Nadine , one of the guides,she took us on one of the drives and I found her to be a superstar , I could sense her compassion for the animals , her knowledge , and her passion , which at the end of the day is what it’s all about in my eyes .

Thank you all for a wonderful experience we will remember it forever 🇿🇦 from liz and Karl, Ireland x

Liz P

Ireland

July 2023: Awesome 5 day safari. This was my first visit to South Africa and experiencing a safari.

My whole stay was just amazing. I saw so many animals that I only saw on TV till now. Saw the Big 5 but also saw zebras,giraffes, rhinos, warthugs,monkeys,different colourful birds,vultures …😊😊😊😊😊

The sunset drive and dinner in the African Bush was just a great experience on the first night there at the Tremisana Lodge.

Then we had the morning bush walk the next day which was amazing too.

Both accommodations were great but the 4 nights at the Treehouse was awesome. You can hear the animals at night (hyenas,leopard,water buffalos).

My treehouse was perfect.i loved it. loved walking to it especially at night😃.under the stars and hearing the animals.

The view and sounds in the morning when you wake up …wowwww!!connected to nature.And when walking to the breakfast area, impalas walking next to you, kudus grazing away…

Awesome staff and guides as well and great cooking.The food was delicious.

Fabulous stay ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🦁🐆🦌🐃🦓🐗🐘🦒🦅🦜🦦🐾🐾

Priscilla Seevathian

Mauritius

March 2023: Perfection

I am going to try to answer all the questions I had before booking my first Safari of my life.

I randomly found this company online along with many others. This company is literally one of the best experiences I’ve had with any company in any field ever.

The people are fantastic. The prices are great. They pick you up and drop you off. Absolutely anywhere to get you to and from the Safari. They are on time. The food is great. These are the most happy and kind people I’ve ever met at a place of business. They go the extra mile over and over again to make sure you are happy and comfortable and get the best viewings of wildlife.

I have absolutely zero complaints. Trust me, if you’re interested in seeing lions and the big five, etc., you should take my advice and just book with this company.

Jason W

Canada

February 2023: Best experience at Viva Safaris!

It’s been a couple of weeks we left Tremisana Lodge and we still think of it with goosebumps. Everything was perfect: the lodge, the food, the organisation of the day.

What made the experience so special though were the team and the game drives. The excitement to spot animals with no guarantee (because there is no fence between Kruger and the reserve), the “chase” of the big 5 as soon as the guide received a signal at the radio, holding yourself in the car because we were on gravel roads and off roads, it made everything so real and fun.

I don’t think you can have a better game reserve experience. We tried another one after, and we were so disappointed because we were expecting something similar to Viva Safaris, but it wasn’t.

During the 5 day safari it was my birthday and guides George and Rocky made my day with a beautiful surprise and a speech. 🥰

I can totally recommend you to book with Viva Safaris, really fair price and each day is different.

Thank you thank you !!! ❤️

alma9488

Italy

December 2022: Can’t Wait to Return!

As an avid nature and animal lover, I came to Viva Safaris Tremisana lodge to experience the African Bush and to view it’s wildlife. And that we did! We saw more animals than I can count… So many elephants, lions, impala, giraffes, zebra, hippos and many more.

For my family, we were just one animal short of the big five, the elusive leopard. But we saw mating lions, mere feet from us, so that more than made up for it. Witnessing the creation of life in the wilderness was powerful and brought tears to my eyes.

We have photographs and videos and memories that will last a lifetime. But what I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the most, was the human experience. The other guests become instant friends and comrades and the entire staff at Tremisana was warm and welcoming.

Our guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and went beyond to make sure our views and lighting were just right for photos. If you have the pleasure of riding with Smiley, consider yourself lucky! His optimism and smile were infectious and his determination to find us our animals were bar none. Thank you Smiley (Halala!) and Rocky!

Mama D and her staff cooked us amazing and comforting meals, never once leaving us hungry or unpleased. Thank you Mama D, and I still want your recipes! The accommodations were clean and the grounds were meticulous. Just walking around camp was a joy.

Cannot recommend enough!

Celeste G

USA

November 2022: From world travelers, BEST experience we’ve ever had!!!!!!! Highly recommend!!!!!!!

I don’t even know where to start! My partner and I travel often, several times a year and travel all over the world, so we try to make the most out of our vacations. Having flexibly is very important since “packages” don’t always fit want we want in our time frame. Well, this was not a problem for viva safari!!!! Talk about accommodating, customer service!!!!! Wow! From the first contact with the proprietor, Piero (an amazingly kind, intelligent, sweet person, but more on that later) we felt like our needs were being heard. He put us in touch with Rei, the property manager who called us in the middle of the night (her middle of the night, daytime for us) and answered all our questions and concerns and made us feel comfortable with our choice, seeing how this was our first experience in South Africa and we didn’t know what exactly we wanted/needed. So, before we even got into the country, we had personal contacts with actual people we later met on the property.

We were picked up from our hotel in jo-burg and taken to the first of the viva safari lodges we stayed at, tremisama. What an amazing place! It is exactly what you picture a safari lodge to be. Rustic, yet clean and quite and beautiful. Looks like Hemingway would be writing his books from our patio looking into the bush or at the desk in our room. Just lovely. Beautiful lagoon like pool; nice bar and lounge area where the staff and guests spend time eating dinner and hanging cocktails together in the evenings. The safaris themselves were just wonderful. You can’t be sure you’ll see anything because animals are animals but we did! And what viva doesn’t tell you is how skilled and trained their safari guides are!! These men aren’t just your guides; they’re highly skilled and trained men who have gone through rigorous arms training for safety and who are extremely knowledgeable in wildlife and all the vegetation. They also have a passion for what they do and where they live that just can’t be learned. We spent time with one of the guides, Rocky, who talked about being what it is to be a “tracker ” (following animal tracks) and his experience in the bush and his life in his country and his passion for what he does. In fact, all of the staff, like Rei, who I wish I had more time to spend with, talked about their lives and how it is to live on the property. You can feel their love for the bush and their jobs. Pierro, the proprietor, met us the first night we were there and made sure we were satisfied with our accommodations and did so throughout our trip. The last night we were there before we moved to another property, we had a wonderful dinner with everyone on the patio of our room (where we watched elephants eat the trees right from our room!!!). I can’t say enough about the staff. Amazing!

And then we left with the most amazing amazing guide there ever was charl, to Pimusa Bush Lodge. The 7 hour trip there felt like nothing because the road trip with Charl was part of the fun! We learned more about the bush, the country, and his absolute love and passion for his country and his job during that trip. We know we’d be friends for life. When we arrived at the lodge, Andre, our host made us feel like family arriving home. What a host!!!!! And every meal he tailor made to our tastes . And, again, the wildlife experiences were outstanding. Just outstanding. We were fortunate to see Pierro and his wife again and spend time with them, and what a pleasure that was. You can tell when someone puts their heart into something. Pierro’s love for the bush and his lodges shines through in the properties as well as his staff and customer experience, and we can’t say enough how much we appreciate everyone there. We miss you all.We have spend 5x as much money at top resorts and they can’t hold a candle to what we experienced with viva safari. We highly recommend.

Vamsy and Alair, who did our 7 day Kruger, Hluhluwe and St Lucia safari package. Vamsy is a Neurologist and Alair is a Psychologist

USA

Kruger Park Safari Packages

2 Day Blitz Overland Safari


2024: R10995 pp sharing
2025: R11595 pp sharing

2 Day Fly-in Safari


2024: R13000 per person
2025: R14000 per person

3 Day Budget Tented Safari


2024: R9445 pp sharing; R10395 pp single; R5795 child u/12
2025: R9895 pp sharing; R10895 pp single; R5995 child u/12

3 Day Fly-in Safari


2024: R16000 per person
2025: R17000 per person

3 Day Self Drive Masango Safari


2024: R4950 pp sharing; R5950 pp single; R3950 child u/12
2025: R4950 pp sharing; R5950 pp single; R3950 child u/12

3 Day Tremisana Lodge Safari


2024: R14450 pp sharing; R16390 pp single; R7995 child u/12
2025: R14495 pp sharing; R16995 pp single; R8395 child u/12

3 Day Tremisana/Masango Safari


2024: R12200 pp sharing; R13100 pp single; R5595 child u/12
2025: R12995 pp sharing; R13995 pp single; R5995 child u/12

3 Day Tremisana/Treehouse Safari


2024: R12900 pp sharing; R14890 pp single; R6995 child u/12
2025: R13495 pp sharing; R15695 pp single; R7395 child u/12

4 Day Fly-in Safari


2024: R19000 per person
2025: R20000 per person

4 Day Katekani Tented Lodge Safari


2024: R22100 pp sharing; R24900 pp single; R11395 child u/12
2025: R22995 pp sharing; R25995 pp single; R11995 child u/12

4 Day Luxury Lodge Safari


2024/2025 Luxury Chalet: US $2200 pp sharing ; US $2755 pp single

4 Day Tremisana Lodge Safari


2024: R16850 pp sharing; R18890 single; R8995 child u/12
2025: R17695 pp sharing; R19995 single; R9395 child u/12

4 Day Tremisana/Masango Safari


2024: R14600 pp sharing; R15500 pp single; R7395 child u/12
2025: R14995 pp sharing; R15995 pp single; R7395 child u/12

4 Day Tremisana/Tent Safari


2024: R13250 pp sharing; R14450 pp single; R6995 child u/12
2025: R13795 pp sharing; R14995 pp single; R7395 child u/12

4 Day Tremisana/Treehouse Safari


2024: R15200 pp sharing; R16890 pp single; R7995 child u/12
2025: R15895 pp sharing; R17695 pp single; R8395 child u/12

5 Day Fly-in Safari


2024: R22000 per person
2025: R23000 per person

5 Day Katekani Tented Lodge Safari


2024: R25500 pp sharing; R27900 pp single; R12795 child u/12
2025: R25995 pp sharing; R28995 pp single; R13395 child u/12

5 Day Luxury Lodge Safari


2024/2025 Luxury Chalet: US $3355 pp sharing, US $4195 pp single

5 Day Tremisana Lodge Safari


2024: R19250 pp sharing; R20890 single; R9995 child u/12
2025: R19995 pp sharing; R21995 single; R10395 child u/12

5 Day Tremisana/Masango Safari


2024: R17000 pp sharing; R17900 pp single; R8095 child u/12
2025: R17000 pp sharing; R17995 pp single; R8095 child u/12

5 Day Tremisana/Tent Safari


2024: R14350 pp sharing; R15550 single; R7395 child u/12
2025: R14995 pp sharing; R16195 single; R7795 child u/12

5 Day Tremisana/Treehouse Safari


2024: R17200 pp sharing; R18890 single; R8995 child u/12
2025: R17895 pp sharing; R19695 single; R9395 child u/12

6 Day Katekani Tented Lodge Safari


2024: R28600 pp sharing; R30900 pp single; R14195 child u/12
2025: R29995 pp sharing; R31995 pp single; R14795 child u/12

6 Day Luxury Lodge Safari


2024/2025 Luxury Chalet: US $4195 pp sharing, US $5245 pp single

6 Day Tremisana Lodge Safari


2024: R20850 pp sharing; R22890 single; R10995 child u/12
2025: R22295 pp sharing; R23995 single; R11395 child u/12

6 Day Tremisana/Masango Safari


2024: R18400 pp sharing; R19200 pp single; R8795 child u/12
2025: R18995 pp sharing; R19995 pp single; R8795 child u/12

6 Day Tremisana/Tent Safari


2024: R15450 pp sharing; R16650 single; R8095 child u/12
2025: R16195 pp sharing; R17395 single; R8195 child u/12

6 Day Tremisana/Treehouse Safari


2024: R19200 pp sharing; R20890 single; R9995 child u/12
2025: R19895 pp sharing; R21695 single; R10395 child u/12

7 Day Tremisana Lodge Safari


2024: R22850 pp sharing; R24890 single; R11995 child u/12
2025: R24595 pp sharing; R25995 single; R12295 child u/12

7 Day Tremisana/Pumusa Kruger Hluhluwe and St Lucia Safari


2024: R27190 pp sharing; R28390 single; R13995 child u/12
2025: R28995 pp sharing; R29995 single; R14395 child u/12

Read Our Latest Kruger Park Safari Newsletters

Click here to view older newsletters dating back to December 2013

October 2024

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The Grey Heron, Ardea Cinerea, is a long-legged wader found near water. It is common throughout Kruger Park. It feeds mainly on aquatic prey, which it catches by a swift stabbing motion. It is often seen standing stationary, patiently waiting for a fish or frog to get within...

September 2024

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The drought continues. Elephants, driven by hunger, are causing major damage to all lodges and private homes in Olifants West Nature Reserve. The day after I arrived at Tremisana, a wily elephant bull managed to get into the camp. These elephants are very intelligent. He was able...

August 2024

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Although we live near Durban on the Eastern Seaboard of South Africa, where the warm Mozambique current allows for all-year bathing, we have been reluctant to swim in the sea. This is because of the high levels of e.coli present in the water. I recall the recent Paris Olympics in...

July 2024

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Climate change has been in the forefront of world news this year with devastating reports of irregular and unexpected effects. South Africa has not been spared and we have recently had fires, tornados and floods. Viva Safaris’ lodges are situated in the areas around Hoedspruit....

June 2024

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Really good news received this month is that about 120 White Rhino have been released onto the regions comprising what is generally known as the Greater Kruger Park. Balule Nature Reserve, on which Tremisana Lodge is situated, has benefitted and we are proud to know that our...

May 2024

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Many wild African animals were first seen and recorded by early European settlers in the areas around Cape Town. As a result, many animals that occur through vast areas of Africa were named using the word “Cape”. As a young boy living in Hillbrow, I remember the prevalence of the...

April 2024

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In last month’s newsletter, Nyarai posted a photo of an elephant inside Tremisana Lodge. A concerned prospective tourist asked about the potential danger. We established that the elephant did not break through our electric fence but walked through the back gate that had been...

March 2024

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Some 30 years ago, I gave a talk at the University of the Witwatersrand to graduate students who were about to go on their first Mathematics teaching practical. Teaching can be both very rewarding and extremely punishing. I tried to encourage these student teachers to look...

Gallery of Viva Safaris vehicles close to wildlife