ES
They never respond to requests once you pay. They do not respect the agreement
We booked an 8-day group tour. Communication was always via WhatsApp. They responded quickly and promised to honor the program's accommodations and limit the maximum number of people per vehicle. They assigned us to several other agencies that didn't honor any of this. They changed our companions and vehicles every day... the drivers didn't even know which agency we were from or our names. They took us to places we didn't want to be. Aanika Karibu never answered our messages. She contacted me every day and didn't read our complaints! She charged us and ignored us! We were packed into eight-passenger vehicles on the Game Drive... dangerous because you'd trip. A horrible experience. It made you feel unprotected.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Don't trust Big Apes, neither Peter
I've contacted Big Apes in March to book a trip for August. When I was still asking for quotes, the communication was polite and efficient. However, just after I've paid the deposit, the communication changed to rude and unreliable. After the payment, I've checked with the accommodations and they haven't received any request on my name. So then I've asked Big Apes if my hotel reservations were made and if they could send me the receipt for the trekking permit. After being ignored and asking again and again, I've received the following answer from Peter, the agency's owner : "We don't account to our guests but our auditors unless you are conducting an investigation. You paid for a service because you were convinced that we would offer you the service. We procure permits in company names and not one at a time only but sometimes in bulk, information we cannot share with you. You are free to sue us when your time comes and we don't offer the service. Should you have a change of heart, we are happy to offer you a refund under our cancellation times. The only receipt you are entitled to is the one in our company names for the money you sent. Kindly let me know if this is clear to you." At this moment I had my first shiver down my spine. Don't they account to their guests ???? Anyway, when I asked about cancellation, I've received an email with apologies (not from Peter, from someone else, never from Peter) for the harsh way of communication from their colleague and they said my tour were secured with them and that their drivers/guides were very professional (I thought the owner would be too, but I was wrong). I decided to give them another chance. After few weeks, no reservations yet. When I've asked when my reservation would be made, again they didn't want to commit and said that they couldn't tell me when (without a signature on the email this time). After asking again and again, they said my reservations would be made in July (my trip would be in August and August is high season). Then, I've requested the cancellation and, as you can guess, another headache then began. After being ignored again and I had to keep asking again and again, they said the refund would be made in September (after 5 months, but the agreement was 4 months) even they haven't done any reservation. I asked why it would be made in 5 months instead of what we agreed and I was ignored, of course. I've tried to ask few more times but no answer at all. I gave up and waited. September arrived and, of course, no refund, so I've sent a couple of emails, but no answer at all. I've contacted SafariBokkings asking for help and they said that they would contact Big Apes from their side. The next day, SafariBookings said that they received a reply from Big Apes and that they committed to process my refund by October 10th and asked me to wait longer. I did. October 10th arrived and NO REFUND AT ALL, NO CONTACT AT ALL.
Anyway, despite having lost money, I am grateful for the deliverance, it could be worse. DO NOT TRUST BIG APES NEITHER PETER, the communication completely change after making the payment, they don't keep their word and they don't refund your money, if it's the case, even promising you they will. I had USD 1,079.24 lost and my time wasted. DON'T CHOOSE BIG APES !!!
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Beware and Save yourself! Gadiel of Good One Tours/Come Africa Safaris is a CON as per our experience
If you value your money, time, and sanity, stay away from Gadiel . Our “dream” safari turned into a 9-day disaster thanks to his lies, last-minute changes, zero communication, and constant demands for more money – even after we paid in full and had a signed itinerary from him.
He skipped destinations everyday, downgraded lodges without warning, delayed payments to lodges, and destroyed the very essence of our safari experience. Tarangire? Skipped. Ngorongoro? Shortened unless we paid extra. Manyara? Never happened. Lodges we paid for? Replaced with substandard options.
Traveling across Africa, Asia, and South America for wildlife, we’ve never encountered such blatant disregard for a customer and theft disguised as “tour operating”. Gadiel gives Tanzanian tourism a bad name and should be banned from the industry. We have all proof of his devilry and are pursuing this with relevant Tanzanian authorities.
Spread the word – don’t let others fall into this trap. The company’s name should have been “WORST ONE TOURS”
CO
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Logistically and financially disorganised
While the safari experience itself was good, I unfortunately had a very negative experience with Roju Safaris regarding a refund. Due to a payment error on my side, I overpaid them. I immediately reported the mistake, and they acknowledged it, but it took them more than three months to process the refund claiming they were having financial difficulties.
When the refund was finally made, they deducted 9% without any clear explanation, far beyond what a bank fee would reasonably be. After holding my money for months, this lack of transparency and fairness left me with a very disappointing impression.
What’s worse, I had to involve the Kenyan Tourism Regulatory Authority in order to get the refund processed, something that should never have been necessary if the company had acted responsibly from the beginning.
Travelers should be aware that while their tours may run smoothly, they may not follow the schedule you were given. The way Roju Safaris handled my case showed a lack of professionalism and honesty in financial matters.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
AVOID AT ANY COST
Absolutely shameful experience… Do not use those scammers. Obviously most of the time things goes well so you can’t see the reality of who you dealing with. We left with my girlfriend and 8 other people including the captain and the guide. Once gone, we hit a very wavy part of the sea, the captain couldn’t handle it and litterally stood us in the middle of the waves hoping for the boat the get through it. The waves were hitting on side of the boat.. Any experienced captain would have taken the waves differently and wouldn’t leave the boat parallel to the waves… They didnt even think of giving us lifesaving jackets when things got rocky. After 2 waves the boat was full of water, after the 3rd it literally went upside down with all of us in the water… bags, phones, cameras, shoes.. everything in the ocean … 3 of us had to swim back to the shore, 1hour of struggle in the waves. Do never take a young kid, or any person that is not able to swim properly. Not only this was a scary and traumatic experience, they have been playing with us for 9 months now to refund the items lost during the excursion. Once its an insurance problem, then its financial problems then its not the high season … always finding excuses… The ice on the cake ?… we didnt even get to see the dolphins….
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Zero professionalism
We have prepared with them 1 week in kenya. we booked the safaris in Nakuru, Naivasha and 2 and a half days in Masái Mara, we paid everything (1000€) 4 months before being in the country. but it turns out that the same first day of safari that has been in Nakuru, we asked to enter early but did not want to drive at night so we accepted 1h later, there were punctual (we are Swiss) to enter at dawn to the safari and see the animals but it turns out after being waiting 1h and 10 min, we decided to enter and the guide speaks to us to tell us that we were not there and that had arrived on time and without apologizing. After this we talked to Naomi who is the girl with whom we hired everything but they blamed each other and she used personal reasons to excuse. We see that it is not our way of doing things between lies, excuses and victimization and we decide to reimburse everything so that we can hire it with another company. But here comes the surprise. First this girl used the technique to blame the guides, then the victimhood (again) and then already attack against us, when it was decided to make the refund we saw that I had only entered 940 €, I decide to talk to her and buuum turns out that I blocked WhatsApp ( only way to have contact with her). so now all the claim is in the Swiss and Spanish embassy (because we have Spanish nationality) and a complaint made with the insurance we have contracted. are unpresentable, unprofessional and thieves
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had a terrible experience - they cancelled on us last minute and have not returned our money.
We paid $930 for a safari which was the full agreed-upon amount for our group. 24 hours prior to the safari we received an email stating we owed another $400. We declined to pay this since we had already paid in full, so they cancelled our trip leaving us without plans less than 24 hours prior to the trip. They stated they would reverse the initial payment, but no refund has been received. I have sent communication notifying them that we have not received our refund several days ago and they are not responding. We feel like we have been scammed. Feels like they were just trying to take our money without providing services. We have now had to file a claim with our credit card company to dispute the original charge.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Out of business do not book
Now I know who Gabriel is... upon receiving an email addressed to him, I had the exact same situation... although I received the dear Gabriel email only 3 days before my trip was supposed to start, and I was already half way to Nairobi... and there were 4 of us, so we lost $21,000!
we paid the deposit by credit card in October of 2024, and sadly I didn't revisit the reviews before making the final payment... I wanted tp save
the $600 credit card fee, so I wired the balance due, hopefully my trip insurance will come to the rescue...
On the day of our scheduled departure, I contacted another company and paid them for a trip they set up for us that same day. They really saved us. That company was Twiga, and I highly recommend them.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip Cancelled By African Safari Guru Shortly Before Departure
Our 2025 safari with African Safari Guru was cancelled less than three weeks before departure after we had paid in full. Communication and refund follow-up were difficult, and only a small portion of our payment was returned. It was a disappointing experience after many months of planning. Travelers should confirm refund policies and have strong travel insurance before booking with this company.
🚫 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.