Insider Tips from
Experienced Travelers
For the type-A, always-optimizing travelers among us: Our ongoing Q&A series uncovers the secrets of professional voyagers and worldly connoisseurs. From planning and packing to navigating new terrain like a local, discover insider tips that elevate every journey to unforgettable heights.
Will Jones
Chief Exploration Officer
Journeys by Design
Safari expert Will Jones founded Journeys by Design in 1999, following years spent working across East Africa. Raised in six African countries and trained in environmental science, Jones began his career in Ethiopia—first as a volunteer in the national parks, then leading the country’s first ecotourism project at Bishangari Tented Camp. He went on to guide and manage luxury lodges in Kenya, then returned to the United Kingdom to launch his bespoke travel company.
A longstanding advocate for high-end, low-impact travel, Jones specializes in tailored journeys through Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, and Tanzania, personally guiding a small number of trips each year. Jones returns to Africa regularly, with deep ties to the guides, pilots, and communities he works alongside. In 2019, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Most recently, he has designed and built Kiserian Cottage & Bush Camp on Naretoi Estate in Enonkishu, on the northern edge of the Maasai Mara—a family home that doubles as a retreat for travelers.
1. The one thing I always have tailored before a trip…
A sleepout in the wild. For me, a true journey is a combination of high and lows. I encourage appropriate tension in the flow of a journey which is often a ‘close to the ground’ moment. I factor in the discomfort so as to find pleasure in the comforts that follow.
2. You’ll never catch me departing for a trip without…
My Lumix torch and binoculars. I love the torch because it’s small but vital in low visibility moments, such as during night walks. The binoculars are the tool of the trade, so my Leica 10×32 are mission-critical.
3. My go-to travel read when I need pure escapism is…
Marcus Aurelius Meditations for a calm mind and maybe something by Louis de Bernières like Lights over Liskeard.
4. When choosing a private travel concierge, the three must-haves are…
Patience, specialization, and courage—three key virtues in any person which extends to a business. Patience to not rush into a decision, specialization to build confidence, and courage to design something different.
5. The single most versatile item of clothing for a summer weekend jaunt is…
My Rip Curl board shorts. I love the ability to wild swim, and shorts are what I spend the most time thinking about.
6. Favorite season to escape to Southern Europe is…
Walking in Extremadura, Spain when the flowers are out and it’s not too hot. I love wild Europe and would consider expanding my business to involve adventure travel on the continent.
7. My greatest travel extravagance that’s become an essential is…
Regular moisturizer.
8. Jet lag cure that actually works for me every time? It’s…
Rehydration salts pre and post flight. Staying hydrated has always been key to keeping my body well-adjusted. Combining this with well-timed and intentional breathing exercises means I can acclimate faster.
9. The travel app that’s saved me more than once is…
The eSIM platform Airalo. So easy and so flexible.
10. My go-to way to capture travel memories is…
Blurb travel photo books. I love sorting through images and self-publishing. Next step is to get a screen to randomly rotate all my images on screen. It’s totally absorbing. Nostalgia is a big driver.
11. For travel safety and intel, my ultimate insider source is…
My local networks on the ground. I’ve spent my life developing these. They are the eyes and ears that I trust implicitly. I feel sorry for the FCO and State Department, and do not follow their advice as a rule.
12. My favorite in-flight wellness ritual or remedy…
Daydreaming out the window. Rarely do we get the chance to broaden our mind by not focusing on it. The default mode network is the most effective solution finder we have, and happiness—much like sleep—is a byproduct. Daydream and the solutions come thick and fast.
13. If I have a day off in a city, my perfect agenda starts with…
Finding a small independent coffee shop with a window on the street. I love coffee and community. I feel totally content in the arms of a local community, sharing the world’s most popular drug.