Delivering unique travel experiences in Africa!
New World Safaris DMC
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- SATSA, SAT, SATIB & TBCSA
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $250 to $3,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
🚫 WARNING: New World Safaris took $68,000 and left clients with NO bookings in Africa
I am writing this review as a consumer alert regarding New World Safaris (Pty) Ltd.
I am a travel advisor. My clients prepaid over USD 68,000 months in advance for a luxury safari and hotel package. When they arrived in Tanzania on Christmas Eve 2024, there were no confirmed reservations anywhere - every “confirmation” we had received was either fake or non-existent.
Their bookings at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Simbavati Tented Camp, Nyasi Tented Camp, and Melia Zanzibar had all been canceled due to non-payment by New World Safaris. Each property confirmed in writing that they had repeatedly requested payment and never received it.
We were forced to rebook every stay out of pocket at enormous personal cost. Throughout, New World Safaris’ representative David repeatedly assured us that all arrangements were secure, but the lodges told us otherwise. I personally intervened and paid vendors directly to prevent my clients from being stranded, even though they had already paid New World in full. I had staff from New World Safari messaging me on the side helping me rebook (at my own cost), and asking me not to tell David or Mariano they were helping.
Despite repeated attempts to reach Mariano Cuervo (owner) via email, phone, and WhatsApp, there was complete silence.
The final communication we received was on December 31, 2024, after I sent a formal notice of breach of contract and refund demand. Their response, from David Smit, stated: “WITHOUT PREJUDICE. We will proceed with the same in terms of defamation and false pretence. Regards, David.”
That was the last message we ever received. Since then, there has been no acknowledgment, no explanation, and no refund. The company went dark and stopped responding entirely.
We have filed formal bank disputes and police reports and preserved all evidence, including screenshots, payment receipts, and written correspondence from the lodges verifying non-payment.
I am writing this now because New World Safaris has resumed advertising and promoting itself on social media channels such as Instagram and Facebook, attempting to attract new business as if nothing happened. Consumers deserve to be warned before more travelers are deceived.
In short: do not book with New World Safaris. They are still marketing themselves despite this conduct. Travelers should consider this operator high risk.