Why NWS?

Founder & CEO

Argentine-born Mariano Cuervo fell in love with travel at an early age. Born in the town of Rufino in the southwest of Santa Fe province in Argentina, he always wanted a career in tourism. In 1999 after leaving high school moved to Buenos Aires to do a degree in hospitality and tourism at the prestigious Universidad Argentina de la Empresa. In 2005 Mariano travelled to South Africa and was captivated by its wildlife and stunning natural beauty. He settled in Johannesburg and build his knowledge and understanding of African travel, enrolling in the Wits Language School and undertaking further studies in business administration through the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria.

‘Learning and studying accentuate your commitment to what you are doing," he says. "It also builds expertise and appreciation of the industry you are working in, developing your professional and enabling you to effectively respond to the needs of your clients,’ Mariano adds. He added to his formal studies with hands-on experience spent exploring Africa and slowly developed his passion for the safari sector and his expertise in its leading safari destinations. In 2010 soccer Mariano founded New World Safaris, bringing together a highly specialised team that shares his unbounded enthusiasm, passion and knowledge of African nature and culture.

Operations Manager Africa

FAVOURITE DESTINATION AND WHY: Botswana, specifically the Savute  AREAS OF SPECIALTY: Multi-tasking (like a champ). Product knowledge.  LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English, Spanish, Afrikaans

Sales Manager Africa

Jordi is a career tourism professional driven by a deep-seated enthusiasm for discovering unique destinations and curating unforgettable travel encounters. Originally from Barcelona, Spain, a vibrant city that ignited his love for the industry, he embarked on a journey in pursuit of his dreams. After studying tourism, Jordi relocated to East Africa to immerse himself in the industry first-hand. For three years, he resided in Nairobi and Arusha, gaining invaluable expertise that has made him a trusted authority in the region. His scope of knowledge extends beyond East Africa, encompassing South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, as well as India and the Indian Islands.

Tanzania and the Indian Ocean Islands hold a special place in Jordi’s heart, and he has developed expertise in these areas over the years. Whether it's organising thrilling safaris in the Serengeti, arranging immersive cultural experiences with the Maasai tribe, or planning luxury beach getaways, Jordie takes great pride in creating unforgettable journeys for our New World Safaris clients. For the past couple of years, Cape Town has been home, but that doesn’t mean the desire to travel and expand his knowledge, as well as to appease his passion, has abated. An additional advantage is Jordi’s exceptional communication skills, meaning he’s. making dreams come true in your language of choice.

Journey Specialist

Our journey specialist Kate grew up in a small remote town in Siberia, not too far from the beautiful city of This Krasnoyarsk, where she spent much time. A move to work in the ever-charming St Petersburg opened her eyes to the world of travel and hospitality. Naturally drawn to learn more about the diversity and beauty of the outside world – and as a sun seeker, Kate went on to spend a few years travelling – and living in South East Asia, expanding her knowledge of different cultures far from home.

From there her life would allow her to discover the magical charm of South Africa’s Cape Town, which she immediately fell in love with. The natural beauty, warm-hearted people, and endless possibilities drew her in, and she stayed. From the tip of. Africa, Kate began her exploration of the unique continent which holds a special place in my heart. Her discoveries extend across Zimbabwe, Botswana and the wonderful Maldives, which she knows best. Kate is passionate about learning, discovering new destinations and the best logistics that guide her to create unforgettable experiences for our clients.

TRAVEL CONSULTANT

Our travel consultant Laura is originally from Misiones, Argentina – where many of the New World Safaris clients come from. A homoeopathic veterinary doctor by training, and an intrinsic nature and animal lover, creating itineraries that contribute to the protection of wilderness areas has become a calling for her. Laura came to South Africa before the Covid pandemic on a volunteering program. She fell in love with the country, its magic, and its diversity during lockdown and I decided to stay. Laura met her South African life partner during this period, got married and is now happily settled in Cape Town. Lucky for us her contribution to the New World Safaris team, fuelled by her passion to explore, venturing outdoors and going on safaris is all enhancing her and our offerings. Laura’s passion lies in environmental conservation and creating awareness about it, and her background guides us well as we align with these principles.

Tourism Professional

Ishmail, an experienced tourism professional, brings unwavering support to the team and a deep passion for South Africa and its exploration. With a background in Business Management and a heartfelt commitment to the tourism industry, Ishmail has honed his skills to create memorable travel experiences, primarily focusing on his home country of South Africa. Born and raised in Cape Town, Ishmail's expertise and enthusiasm shine through as he assists travellers in curating remarkable journeys. While he cherishes his beloved Maldives for its picturesque Indian Island beaches, warm waters, and protected reefs, his ultimate goal is to leave a lasting impression on every traveller he has the pleasure of assisting.