A Roar-Worthy Safari Specialist

April 3, 2026

For Jamie Jones, the Difference is in the Details

For the fifth year in a row, WhirlAway Travel’s Jamie Jones has been named a Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist—a prestigious honor reserved for advisors with extensive expertise, trusted global connections, and a deep understanding of how to craft truly tailored journeys. It’s a distinction she’s earned through her focus on African safaris and her ability to create meaningful, insider experiences. Jamie’s philosophy is simple: “I have always believed that travel is essential for the future of our world. It connects us to nature, to different cultures, and most importantly to one another.” That approach comes to life on every African safari she curates. And that’s just one reason why she’s so exceptional at what she does.

1. She Knows Safaris Inside & Out
Jamie has traveled to Africa more than 15 times over the past 12 years, earning her Signature Travel Network’s Select Safari Specialist designation—an exclusive recognition for highly vetted advisors with “feet on the ground” knowledge and proven expertise in creating luxury, customized African safaris. For Jamie, it’s about so much more than the wildlife: “I continually return because of the people I have met, friendships created, cultures I have learned from, and the peace that fills my soul with every journey.” And through WhirlAway’s Africa Apprentice Program, Jamie also helps train the next generation of safari specialists, providing extensive education and hands-on experience in planning these journeys, ensuring every client benefits from a highly personalized approach.

2. She Has Family Travel Dialed In
Frequently traveling with her own family and extended family, Jamie has a firsthand understanding of how to balance different ages, activity levels, and personalities. About half of the African safaris she designs are for multi-generational families, where thoughtful coordination makes all the difference. With school-aged children of her own, she knows how valuable time is—and how to design itineraries that deliver both meaningful, culturally rich experiences and seamless, well-paced travel. “I think balancing all of the different factors is an art form,” laughs Jamie.


3. She’s Skilled at Customizing Journeys to Your Travel Personality
Jamie has a special talent for designing trips that feel completely personal—whether it’s a multi-generational escape, solo journey, friends’ getaway, graduation trip, or over-the-top celebration. With deep expertise in African safaris, she thoughtfully balances pace, style, and experience to match how you like to travel, shaping each journey so it feels effortless and entirely your own. “Figuring out what my clients envision on their safari and then delivering beyond their wildest dreams is what I strive to do,” says Jamie.

4. She’s a Pro at Plot Twists
“I am very selective with whom I partner with in every country,” says Jamie. “I will only work with suppliers that provide 24/7 in-travel support and have a proven track record of being proactive when an unforeseen issue arises—with a solution ready.” Strong partnerships and clear communication between the travel planner, supplier, and hotel are key to ensuring a seamless journey. Jamie’s network, paired with constant communication on the ground, means she’s always ready with a smart solution to any unexpected turn.

5. She Has Creative Ideas You Didn’t Know to Ask For
Jamie loves designing trips that go beyond the expected—like a focused Rwanda journey that includes the Big Five but still stands on its own, or pairing malaria-free South Africa with Cape Town, Tswalu, and Madikwe for a seamless multi-generational adventure. She also has fun drawing inspiration from films and documentaries, bringing cinematic moments to life. “That picnic spot in Out of Africa where Robert Redford and Meryl Streep gazed over the savannah and where Redford’s character was laid to rest? I can get you there,” says Jamie. “I can also arrange for you to meet Manu, the elephant in Holiday in the Wild, and I have a direct connection to the lodge and rehab center where Kulu was released in Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey.”

Sicily: Frequently Asked Questions

August 18, 2026
WhirlAway Travel Advisor Sara Samuel recently returned from Sicily, where she dined, discovered, and delighted in the island’s most charming towns, restaurants, and sites. Here, she shares her personal FAQs to help get you started on the what, when, where, and how of the island. Prego!

One Ship, Eight Passports, Endless Memories

July 17, 2026
“I have generally shied away from cruising because all the activity options, people, and planning can feel overwhelming,” says WhirlAway’s Jamie Jones. “But Explora Journeys was relaxing and there was no FOMO.”

Yes, Luxury River Cruising is For You!

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If you’ve never taken a river cruise, you might be picturing the usual stereotypes of larger ocean-going ships. But the reality is far more intimate in both scope and scale.

A Peek Inside the Trips We Take for You

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From Antarctica to Africa, Egypt to Ecuador, Japan to Jordan, the WhirlAway team has taken educational trips to more than 30 continents and countries, cruised with more than a dozen river and ocean lines, toured hundreds of hotels, and spent countless hours exploring the places our clients want to travel.

Greece: What’s Your Hotel Vibe?

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As Greece seems to once again headline our summer travel conversations, one question remains: Where should you stay?

Just Back From … a New Zealand Family Adventure

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Since 2022, WhirlAway Travel’s Anna Dunleavy has been crafting epic getaways for the Creed family—each one more personalized than the last.

A Grand (Slam) Time!

April 20, 2026
Grand Slam tournaments are the crown jewels of tennis—and notoriously elusive to access. Tickets disappear instantly, VIP passes are closely guarded, and logistics can be overwhelming. That’s where WhirlAway comes in—with guaranteed seats, exclusive perks, and insider access to the world’s most prestigious matches.

Just Back From … Australia with Denise Booth

April 15, 2026
There’s something extra meaningful about pairing a dream destination with a milestone moment. For WhirlAway’s Denise Booth, that meant finally experiencing Australia alongside her son as they celebrated his graduation from medical school.

Multi-Gen Magic

March 20, 2026
Multi-generational travel is booming—and it’s easy to see why. Families are seeking curated journeys where every generation—from grandparents to grandchildren—can experience the world together, yet on their own terms. At WhirlAway Travel, that means private excursions, seamless logistics, and experiences that let everyone focus on what matters: connection. Denise Booth is one of WhirlAway’s multi-gen travel experts. She leverages her insider access and relationships with global partners to create itineraries perfectly suited for every age and interest. “Travel does not have to be all or nothing,” she says. “We craft experiences that can be enjoyed by each person, from modified activities or alternatives for those who cannot participate.” Here are three recent journeys planned by Denise and the WhirlAway team.
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