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September 2026

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From a very young age, I have always been very interested in birds. One of the most fascinating species for me is the Cuckoo. Late September heralds the arrival of the Diederik Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx Caprius, in the Kruger Park.  It has an unmistakable call and, in my experience,...

August 2026

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Earlier this month, an Italian couple, while having breakfast at the Tremisana Lapa, heard the call of a Trumpeter Hornbill, Bycanistes bucinator. It is unmistakable and sounds like a baby crying. They approached me and asked if the repetitive calling was of a baby in distress.  ...

July 2026

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Luke Ovendale, Viva Safaris’ Head Guide and Tremisana Lodge Manager, has created a group for our guides on which he posts various articles on wildlife. The plan is to keep our guides up to date with wildlife news as well as providing useful information on animal behaviour that...

June 2026

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Most of Viva Safaris’ guests come from the northern hemisphere.  During the northern hemisphere winter, snakes are seldom seen. Being ectothermic (cold-blooded), snakes rely on external warming. Instead of hibernating, they enter brumation – a dormant state during which their...

May 2026

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Mother Teresa, when confronted by the enormous suffering of the destitute in Kolkata, was not overawed. Her response was: ‘We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.’ I am inspired by her words....

April 2026

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On Viva Safaris night drives, (Sundowner Drive and Sunset Drive) we encounter not only nocturnal mammals such as civets, genets, scrub hares, porcupines and bush babies. At certain times of the year, our guides show off their spotting skills to incredulous guests by finding...

March 2026

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One of the consequences of immigration into South Africa was that the newcomers brought with them various animals. I fully understand their reasoning : it made them feel like they were “home away from home” and no doubt reduced their longing for their fatherlands. Visitors to...

February 2026

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With the residual pools found in the veld after the January floods, we were advised that there may have been an increase in cases of malaria. To date, there have been no reports of any malaria outbreaks in our region. Most of the pools have dried up. Great stuff ! We received an...

December 2025 January 2026

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All past and future safari-goers to Kruger Park will have learned about the devastating floods we experienced in January. The damage done is, in my opinion, the worst ever. Tremisana Lodge, being the highest lodge in Olifants West Reserve, did not suffer much when compared to...

November 2025

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The African Spoonbill, Platalea Alba, is a long-legged wading bird often seen at Tremisana Dam. It gets its name from the spatulate shape of its bill that it uses to catch fish, molluscs, insects and other water inhabitants by swinging it side-to-side. When it senses some aquatic...