Journeys by Design Review 2026: Is It Worth It, What It Costs, and Who Runs It
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 16 October 2026
Journeys by Design, the Brighton safari specialist Will Jones founded in 1999, scores 65/100 on our six-criterion review of safari planners: full marks for first-hand African expertise, destination breadth and service, and nothing for pricing. Its expertise is on the record, from a founder raised in six African countries to its own guides, bases in Nanyuki and Maun and a camp in the Maasai Mara, and it sells 24 African countries, including Chad and South Sudan. What holds the score back is what a buyer can check before calling: no published prices, three independent reviews, the newest from 2019, and booking terms that give a company number belonging to a different company.
Verified 24 September 2026 · Journeys by Design's own pages and both sets of booking terms · Companies House records 03773781, 06144899 and 05224319 · ATTA directory · Travelstride and SafariBookings · TechInformed, L'Officiel, QuickBooks, Cambridge Judge Business School and ProPublica
Journeys by Design at a glance: the company record
Journeys by Design is Journeys by Design Limited, company 03773781, incorporated on 19 May 1999 and controlled by its founder Will Jones, with its head office in Brighton and bases in Kenya and Botswana. Every row below links to its source and was checked on the date shown.
| Field | Fact | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading name | Journeys by Design (journeysbydesign.com) | Journeys by Design homepage | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Legal entity | Journeys by Design Limited, company 03773781, England and Wales, active | Companies House | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Company number in its terms | 5224319; on Companies House, 05224319 is Think Galapagos Limited | Companies House, 05224319 | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Previous name | Black and Green Trading Limited, 3 Mar 2007 to 1 Mar 2023 | Companies House | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Founded | 1999, 'from my brother-in-law's bedroom' | Journeys by Design history | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Registered office | 8-9 Ship Street, Brighton BN1 1AD (map); Africa House, Brunswick Row until May 2022 | Companies House filings | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Other bases | New York (phone line); Nanyuki, Kenya; Maun, Botswana | Journeys by Design contact page | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Owner | Will Jones: more than 75% of shares and votes, notified 6 Apr 2016 | Companies House PSC register | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Directors | William George Jones (since May 1999), Paul Campbell Herbertson (since Jun 2019), Carole Lesley Jordan (since Feb 2023) | Companies House officers | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Managing director | Paul Herbertson, 'Chief Impact Officer and Managing Director' MD since 2021 | Journeys by Design team page | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Group | Africa House Group: Journeys by Design, Wild Philanthropy (US charity) and Tekula Capital | Africa House Group | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Latest accounts | Total exemption full accounts to 31 Mar 2025, filed 29 Aug 2025 | Companies House | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Money protection | ATOL 9680 on UK and EU flight-inclusive bookings; the ATOL page names Black and Green Trading Ltd; terms for other travellers name none | Journeys by Design ATOL page | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Trade membership | African Travel and Tourism Association: UK Based Travel Specialist | ATTA directory | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Deposit and balance | 30% (Classic) or 35% (RARE); balance 16 weeks before departure | UK and EU terms | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Cancellation | More than 112 days ahead: deposit; under 112 days: 100% | UK and EU terms | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Amendments | GBP 30 per person plus supplier costs; name and flight changes likely 100% | UK and EU terms | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Destinations | 24 African countries and islands, from Kenya and Botswana to Chad, South Sudan and Eritrea | Journeys by Design destinations | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Published prices | None; RARE trips include a USD 5,000 environmental pledge | Environmental pledge page | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Phones and response | UK +44 (0)1273 623 790; US +1 646 652 0489; 'Response within one business day' | Journeys by Design contact page | 24 Sep 2026 |
| In-trip support | '24 hour contact with our offices in the UK and the US' | Journeys by Design service page | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Specialist | 'Assigned a dedicated exploration specialist for your entire journey' | Journeys by Design contact page | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Independent reviews | Travelstride 5/5 from 3 (newest Oct 2019); SafariBookings 0; no Trustpilot or Feefo listing | Travelstride | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Team | 13 people named, plus Angela Sacha in memory; the company history names Jenna Gradidge in marketing from 2023 | Journeys by Design team page | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Impact pledge | '20% of our profit goes back into supporting conservation and community development' | Net Positive page | 24 Sep 2026 |
Is Journeys by Design worth it?
Journeys by Design scores 65/100: it takes full marks on expertise, reach and service, and on the evidence a buyer can check in advance it is one of the thinnest records we hold. It is the only operator reviewed on these criteria to take full marks for service: a reply within one business day, 24-hour contact with its UK and US offices while you travel, and a dedicated exploration specialist for your entire journey. Its founder built and now operates Kiserian Cottage and Bush Camp in the Maasai Mara. It publishes no prices at all, and says it designs between 50 and 100 private safaris a year.
| Criterion | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-hand African expertise | 25/25 | Founder Will Jones was raised in six African countries and guided in Kenya; named guides from Zimbabwe and South Africa; bases in Nanyuki and Maun and its own camp in the Maasai Mara; 27 years in business. |
| Independent review evidence | 3/20 | Travelstride shows 5/5 from 3 reviews, the newest from October 2019; SafariBookings has none, and there is no Trustpilot, Feefo or Tripadvisor listing. |
| Destination breadth | 15/15 | 24 African countries and islands have their own pages, including Chad, South Sudan, Eritrea, Gabon and the Central African Republic. |
| Pricing transparency | 0/15 | No trip, tier or destination page shows a per-person price, a from-price or a nightly rate; every page routes to an enquiry. |
| Service model and support hours | 15/15 | UK and US phone lines, a response within one business day, 24-hour contact with the UK and US offices while travelling, and a dedicated specialist for the whole journey. |
| Ownership transparency | 7/10 | Founder Will Jones is named and is the registered owner of more than 75%; the registry officers match the named team, but the company number in its terms belongs to a different company. |
| Total | 65/100 |
How Journeys by Design compares with other safari planners
Journeys by Design is a safari planner, like the seven companies below: it builds trips from lodges and suppliers it does not own. Our planner reviews were scored on different criteria at different times, so their scores are not ranked against each other here; every fact below was read from each company, or from the review platform named, on 12 October 2026. It also appears on four of our indexes, each scored on its own criteria: eleventh on the safari planner index at 64, tenth on the payment terms index at 72, sixth on the UK and US operator comparison at 44, and 25 on the safari price comparison, where it publishes nothing without an enquiry. The payment terms index, rebuilt on 7 October, now reads both sets of terms this record found, for UK and EU residents and for everyone else, last changed in September 2024 and June 2025.
| Planner | Independent reviews | Deposit and balance | Client money | 24-hour line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journeys by Design (this record) | Google 5.0 from 6 | 30% (35% rare adventures); balance 16 weeks before | ATOL 9680 | Stated |
| Go2Africa | Feefo 4.9 from 3,118; Trustpilot 4.8 from 181 | 30%; balance 60 days before travel | Money-Back Guarantee (supplier insolvency); SATSA bonding | Stated |
| Expert Africa | Google 4.9 from 306 | 20% or GBP 600 pp; balance 70 days before | ATOL 5206 | Stated |
| Yellow Zebra Safaris | Trustpilot 4.9 from 1,783; Google 4.9 from 243 | Amount not stated; balance 90 days before travel | ATOL 10614 | Stated |
| Micato Safaris | Trustpilot 3.2 from 1; no Google listing found | 30%; balance 120 days before travel | No scheme, bond or trust named | Stated |
| Extraordinary Journeys | Google 5.0 from 182; SafariBookings 4.9 from 35 | Amount not stated; balance about 100 days before travel | No scheme, bond or trust named | Stated |
| Abercrombie & Kent | Trustpilot 4.4 from 787 | Booking terms showed no text when read | Not stated; optional Allianz insurance | Stated, small groups |
| Scott Dunn | Trustpilot 4.6 from 278 | Set per trip; balance 90 days before | ATOL 2471; ABTOT 5222 | Yes, number printed |
Stated means the company says it offers 24-hour support but prints no number for it. Not stated means the company's own pages did not say it when read; it does not mean the company does not do it. Sources: each company's own site and booking terms, Google, Trustpilot, Feefo and SafariBookings, read 12 October 2026.
How much does a Journeys by Design safari cost?
Journeys by Design publishes no prices: its trip, tier and destination pages show no per-person price, from-price or nightly rate, and its sample 16-day Chad and Central African Republic journey, Edge Case, ends with an invitation to get in touch. The published numbers are about volume and giving: Classic journeys are limited to 70 a year, RARE trips to no more than 30 a year, and every RARE itinerary includes a USD 5,000 environmental pledge. The deposit is 30% for Classic safaris and 35% for RARE. Our safari price comparison and Kenya safari cost guide show what comparable trips cost from operators that publish rates.
| Service tier | What is published | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | Bespoke safari; 'limited to 70 journeys designed annually' no price | 30% |
| RARE | 'No more than 30 Rare trips a year' USD 5,000 environmental pledge included; no price | 35% |
| Conservation Journeys | Safari with philanthropic access via partners such as African Parks; no price | Not stated |
What do Journeys by Design reviews say?
Independent reviews of Journeys by Design are close to absent: Travelstride shows 5/5 from three reviews, the newest from October 2019, its SafariBookings listing has none, and no Trustpilot, Feefo or Tripadvisor listing was found. The three Travelstride reviews praise the organisation, one calling a trip "organised perfectly from hotels to transfers". Its own testimonials page carries 23 named quotes, among them Ralph Lauren ("Journeys by Design opened our eyes to a world of experiences we never could have imagined") and Katy Perry; testimonials a company hosts itself do not count towards the score. Our safari operator review index explains why.
| Platform | Rating | Reviews | Newest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travelstride | 5/5 | 3 | October 2019 |
| SafariBookings | None | 0 | n/a |
| Trustpilot | No listing found | 0 | n/a |
| Feefo and Tripadvisor | No listing found | 0 | n/a |
| Own testimonials page | Not a platform | 23 named | Undated |
Journeys by Design's awards and press, dated where they can be
Journeys by Design lists a long record of recognition on its own pages, from a Financial Times top-ten "super-agent" place in 2005 to eight years as a Condé Nast Traveller Top Travel Specialist, but none of the awards could be confirmed on an awarding body's site for this record. Condé Nast and Travel + Leisure blocked the check. Its own pages also give two years for Will Jones's Royal Geographical Society fellowship: 2017 in the company history and 2019 in his biography. Recent press includes Financial Times features by David Pilling on Lake Turkana and Sophy Roberts on South Africa's Wild Coast, and Condé Nast Traveller's Gabon story by Sarah Marshall, reprinted on its site.
| Recognition or feature | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Times top-ten 'super-agent' | 2005 | Own history (not confirmed) |
| British Airways 'Best Safari' nomination | 2006 | Own history (not confirmed) |
| Condé Nast Traveler award | 2010 | Own history (not confirmed) |
| Will Jones: Condé Nast Traveler '50 Most Influential Travelers' | 2015 | Own history (not confirmed) |
| Will Jones: Condé Nast Traveller Top Travel Specialist, 'eight years running' | Claimed; press page lists 2026 | Own biography (not confirmed) |
| Will Jones: Travel + Leisure A-List adviser | Year not stated | Own biography (not confirmed) |
| L'Officiel interview: 'We design between 50-100 private safaris a year' | 4 Jul 2024 | L'Officiel UK |
| TechInformed: 'A coffee with… Will Jones' | 5 Sep 2025 | TechInformed |
| QuickBooks business profile, with Paul Herbertson | 16 May 2025 | QuickBooks UK |
| Financial Times: 'The long road home' (David Pilling) | 2024 | Reprint on own site |
| Condé Nast Traveller: 'The Last Eden' (Sarah Marshall, Gabon) | 2025 | Reprint on own site |
Where Journeys by Design travels, and its journey styles
Journeys by Design sells 24 African countries and islands, one of the widest frontier lists we have recorded, from Benin and Togo to Chad, South Sudan, Eritrea and the Central African Republic, and nothing outside Africa. Its destinations page heads the list with 26 and shows 24. The company history records it as the first operator African Parks invited into South Sudan, in 2023. Journeys are grouped as private family adventure, milestone celebration, off-map exploration, specialist wildlife, cultural immersion and conservation encounters, and its guides lead walking and photographic safaris.
| Region | Countries and islands with their own pages |
|---|---|
| East Africa | Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan |
| Southern Africa | Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| Central and West Africa | Chad, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Benin, Togo |
| Islands | Madagascar, Seychelles, São Tomé and Príncipe |
Who owns Journeys by Design?
Journeys by Design is controlled by its founder, Will Jones, who Companies House records as holding more than 75% of the shares and votes of Journeys by Design Limited, company 03773781. Jones, raised in six African countries, spent four years in Ethiopia and guided at Galdessa in Tsavo East and Borana in Laikipia before starting the company in 1999, by his own account. Paul Herbertson, formerly of Fauna and Flora International, has been managing director since 2021 and is chief executive of Wild Philanthropy, the US charity Jones founded in 2016, according to Cambridge Judge Business School; its filings show revenue of USD 514,415 in the year to December 2025. On the register, the name has moved: in March 2023 the company swapped names with company 06144899, which had carried the Journeys by Design name since 2007 and was dissolved that August.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 19 May 1999 | Journeys by Design Limited incorporated (03773781); Will Jones appointed director | Companies House |
| Mar 2007 | 03773781 renamed Black and Green Trading Limited on 3 March; a new company, 06144899, incorporated as Journeys by Design Limited on 7 March | Companies House |
| 6 Apr 2016 | Will Jones registered as holding more than 75% | Companies House |
| 2016 | Wild Philanthropy founded (the company's own history says 2015) | Cambridge Judge Business School |
| 12 Jun 2019 | Paul Herbertson appointed director | Companies House |
| 2019 | Africa House Group formed as the umbrella for the group | Own history |
| 2021 | Paul Herbertson becomes managing director | Journeys by Design |
| 6 May 2022 | Registered office moves from Africa House, Brunswick Row to 8-9 Ship Street, Brighton | Companies House |
| 1 Mar 2023 | 03773781 takes back the Journeys by Design name; 06144899 renamed and dissolved on 29 Aug 2023 | Companies House |
Journeys by Design's booking terms and financial protection
Journeys by Design takes a 30% deposit on Classic safaris and 35% on RARE trips, with the balance due 16 weeks before departure; cancelling more than 112 days out costs the deposit, and cancelling later costs everything. It publishes two sets of terms. The terms for UK and EU residents, last changed in September 2024, give ATOL 9680 for flight-inclusive trips; the terms for everyone else, last changed in June 2025, name no financial protection and make travel insurance a condition of booking. Both give company number 5224319, which on Companies House belongs to Think Galapagos Limited. Our guide to safari deposits and payment terms compares these with the market.
| Term | Journeys by Design |
|---|---|
| Deposit | 30% (Classic) or 35% (RARE); full payment inside 16 weeks |
| Balance | 16 weeks before departure |
| Cancel more than 112 days ahead | Loss of deposit |
| Cancel under 112 days ahead | 100% |
| Amendments | GBP 30 per person plus supplier costs |
| Financial protection, UK and EU residents | ATOL 9680 (flight-inclusive trips) |
| Financial protection, other travellers | None named |
| Insurance | Required, including rescue and repatriation |
What the public record does not show
Nine things a buyer might look for could not be found or did not match on 24 September 2026. Each is listed so it can be answered; if Journeys by Design publishes or corrects any of them, this record will change with a dated note.
- The right company number in the booking terms: both sets give 5224319, which belongs to Think Galapagos Limited; Journeys by Design Limited is 03773781.
- A current name on the ATOL page, which still names Black and Green Trading Ltd; the CAA register could not be read to confirm the current licence holder.
- Any financial protection for travellers outside the UK and EU.
- Any published price, from-price or nightly rate.
- An active independent review profile: the newest independent review found is from October 2019.
- Independent confirmation of the Condé Nast Traveller, Travel + Leisure and Financial Times recognitions listed on its pages.
- One year for Will Jones's Royal Geographical Society fellowship (2017 or 2019) and for Wild Philanthropy's launch (2015 or 2016).
- A match between the destinations header (26) and the destinations listed (24).
- Office hours; the site gives a response time but no clock hours.
Journeys by Design vs Expert Africa, Yellow Zebra Safaris and Scott Dunn
Against three UK safari specialists we have reviewed, Journeys by Design matches or beats all of them on expertise, breadth and service, and falls behind on the two things a buyer can check without calling: prices and reviews. Our Scott Dunn, Audley and Yellow Zebra comparison covers three of the larger UK desks in more depth.
| Journeys by Design | Expert Africa | Yellow Zebra | Scott Dunn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, founded | Brighton; 1999 | Richmond, London; 1994 | Kingston upon Thames; 2012 | London; 1986 |
| Best independent reviews | Travelstride 5/5 from 3 | AITO 511, 99% excellent or good | Trustpilot 4.9 from 1,710 | Trustpilot 4.6 from 273 |
| Money protection | ATOL 9680 (UK and EU flight-inclusive) | ATOL 5206 | ATOL 10614 | ATOL and ABTOT |
| Weakest criterion | Pricing, 0 of 15 | Reviews, 14 of 20 | Ownership, 7 of 10 | Reviews, 12 of 20 |
How to price a comparable safari
The fair test of any quote from Journeys by Design is a like-for-like quote for the same camps, nights and season from a second specialist and a comparison platform. Ask each for the same lodges by name, the same room category and the same inclusions, then compare the per-person total with international flights excluded.
What changed
Six dated changes shape Journeys by Design today, from its managing director's appointment to its first team gathering in Africa.
2021. Paul Herbertson became managing director, having led Wild Philanthropy since 2019.
6 May 2022. The registered office moved to 8-9 Ship Street, Brighton.
1 March 2023. Company 03773781 took back the Journeys by Design name after 16 years as Black and Green Trading Limited.
2023. It became the first operator African Parks invited into South Sudan, by its own account, and hired a marketing lead, Jenna Gradidge.
2026. The team held its first annual gathering in Africa, in Botswana, and introduced a "Wildlife Economy" impact model.
24 September 2026. This record opened with a score of 65/100.
15 October 2026. Re-read against our 12 October 2026 planner database: the ranking against other companies' scores replaced with a side-by-side of facts, because those pages use different criteria. The score is unchanged.
Journeys by Design: the facts on record, read 12 October 2026
53 facts about Journeys by Design were read from its own website, the award publishers and the review platforms on 12 October 2026, and every one below says who stated it, where it was read and when. “Not stated on their website” means the right page was read and the fact is not there; “Could not access” means the page would not open; “No profile found” means the platform has no listing. None of the three means the company does not have it. The same form is kept for every safari planner on this site, so each line can be set beside any other company’s. Where a line here differs from an older line on this page, this one, read later, is the current reading.
Who they are
Trading name and legal entity
Journeys by Design Limited, 8-9 Ship Street, Brighton BN1 1AD; company registered in England, number 5224319 (terms). The ATOL certificate page instead says 'Black and Green Trading Ltd, trading as Journeys by Design' holds ATOL 9680, so the two pages name different entities.
Source: Company · terms conditions uk and eu residents · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Where it is based
Brighton, United Kingdom (HQ); also listed: Nanyuki, Kenya and Maun, Botswana (exploration team locations); footer also lists a NYC representation office
Source: Company · contact · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Year founded
1999 ('We've been selling privately guided adventures to Africa since 1999'; set up from the founder's brother-in-law's bedroom)
Source: Company · about · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Owner or parent
Not stated on their website: no owner or parent named. Nearby: founder Will Jones (Chief Explorations Officer and Founder); potted history says JbD, Wild Philanthropy, Tekula Capital and the coffee shop sit under one umbrella, the Africa House Group (2019).
Source: Company · potted history · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
What it is
Planner: designs and manages private, tailor-made safaris, 'privately guided'. Potted history also says it bought Lumale Tours in 2017 (re-branded Wild Expeditions, a frontier mobile camp) and opened Lale's Camp, Ethiopia in 2018, so it has some own camp operations in Ethiopia.
Source: Company · potted history · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Team
14 people named on team page (13 current plus Angela Sacha 'in memory'): Will Jones, Hannah Rayner, Squack Evans, Kyle de Nobrega, Maddy Cook, Frankie McCarthy, Mij Evans, Kim Lincoln, Paul Herbertson, Carole Jordan, Sandiso Sibanda, Zuzana Fekete, Dionne Charles. Page says 'four exploration specialists'; design roles shown: 3 exploration specialists + 4 travel design partners (plus founder).
Source: Company · the team · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Where it sells
US +1 646 652 0489; UK +44 (0) 1273 623 790. Offices: Brighton UK (HQ), Nanyuki Kenya, Maun Botswana; NYC representation office in footer. Currencies not stated on the contact page (enquiry budget bands are in $; terms quote a GBP admin fee).
Source: Company · contact · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
In its own words
'Since 1999, Journeys by Design has designed and managed private safaris for families, couples and multi-generational groups', paired with one exploration specialist from first conversation to last detail; also specialises in little-visited parts of Africa (Chad, Gabon, Congo Basin, Omo Valley).
Source: Company · home page · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Response time and named planner
Contact page: 'Response within one business day.' Promise: 'dedicated exploration specialist for your entire journey'; home page: 'one exploration specialist' stays with you. No named planner is given in advance on the pages.
Source: Company · contact · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Reviews, by platform
5.0 from 6 reviews (listing: Journeys by Design, Brighton and Hove, England)
Source: Independent source · Google business listing · by hand · 12 Oct 2026
Trustpilot
No profile found: trustpilot page for journeysbydesign.com returned a 404 (crawl error)
Source: Independent source · Trustpilot · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Tripadvisor
Could not access: to be read by hand
Source: Independent source · not recorded · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Trustindex
Could not access: trustindex section is present but empty in the saved file; nothing read
Source: Independent source · Trustindex · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Where it asks clients to leave reviews
Not stated on their website: no page links clients to a review platform. It runs its own Guestbook (testimonials and guest interviews) at /testimonials.
Source: Company · testimonials · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Awards and recognition, read from the publishers
Every award, 2024 to 2026
Read from the publishers (Independent source): Travel + Leisure A-List 2026, African Safaris: Will Jones (East Africa Safaris) (selected by the magazine's editors; list updated 12 Feb 2026) | Condé Nast Traveler (US) Travel Specialists, Safari: 1 specialist listed, William Jones (selected by the magazine's editors; read 12 Oct 2026) | Condé Nast Traveller (UK), The top travel specialists to know right now: listed, best for "bespoke safaris" (hand-picked by the UK editors; published 7 Nov 2025) The company's own site also states (Company): No award dated 2024-2026 is stated. Destinations page: 'Conde Nast Traveler Global Travel Specialist 10 years running' (undated); potted history: Conde Nast Global Specialist nominee every year since 2013; FT 'top ten super-agent' (home page, no year; history says 2005). Publisher lists not read.
Source: Independent source · travelandleisure.com World's Best Awards 2026 and A-List, cntraveler.com/travel-specialists, cntraveller.com top travel specialists · by hand · 12 Oct 2026
Advisors on named lists
Read from the publishers (Independent source): Travel + Leisure A-List 2026: 1, Will Jones (East Africa Safaris) | Condé Nast Traveler (US) Travel Specialists, Safari: 1, William Jones
Source: Independent source · travelandleisure.com World's Best Awards 2026 and A-List, cntraveler.com/travel-specialists, cntraveller.com top travel specialists · by hand · 12 Oct 2026
Certifications
Not stated on their website: no B Corp or similar certification stated. Nearby: ATOL 9680 licence (a licence, not a certification).
Source: Company · about · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Money and booking terms
Prices published
Not stated on their website: no prices shown on any of the saved experience itinerary pages (Grand schemes, In the balance, Back of beyond, Access all areas, Finding our place, Edge case etc.); trips are quoted after a conversation.
Source: Company · experiences · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Priced example trips
Not stated on their website: no priced example trips; itineraries give places and nights only (e.g. Grand schemes 13 days, In the balance 20 days, Access all areas 10 days) with no price.
Source: Company · in the balance · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Price per person per day
Not stated on their website: no per-person or per-day range stated.
Source: Company · experiences · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Minimum spend
Not stated on their website: no minimum spend stated. Nearby: enquiry form asks for budget in bands $50,000-$100,000, $100,000-$200,000, $200,000-$300,000, $300,000-$500,000, $500,000+.
Source: Company · contact · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
What the price includes
Not stated on their website: no price shown, so no inclusions listed beside a price. Terms say tailor-made itinerary and costing is provided after discussion.
Source: Company · terms conditions uk and eu residents · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Deposit
30% for classic safaris, 35% for rare adventures of full itinerary cost at booking (full payment if booking within 16 weeks of start). Non-UK/non-EU terms call it a 'booking and design fee' of the same percentages, stated as non-refundable.
Source: Company · terms conditions uk and eu residents · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Balance due
Not less than 16 weeks (112 days) before the start of the trip
Source: Company · terms conditions uk and eu residents · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Cancellation charges
More than 112 days (16 weeks) before start: deposit lost (30% classic / 35% rare). Less than 112 days: 100%. Changes: GBP 30 per person admin fee plus supplier costs; flights etc. may be 100%.
Source: Company · terms conditions uk and eu residents · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
How client payments are protected
UK and EU clients: holds Air Travel Organiser's Licence (CAA), ATOL number 9680; ATOL Certificate issued for ATOL-protected flight or flight-inclusive trips; 'Not all holiday or travel services ... will be protected by the ATOL scheme'. Package Travel Regulations 2018 apply. Non-UK/non-EU terms in the saved page contain no financial-protection clause. Register not read.
Source: Company · terms conditions uk and eu residents · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Currencies and card fees
Not stated on their website: no billing currencies or card surcharge stated. Nearby: terms allow surcharges for exchange-rate changes (over 2%); GBP 30 admin fee.
Source: Company · terms conditions uk and eu residents · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
24-hour contact while travelling
'24/7 concierge support during travel' (JbD Promise); no phone number printed for it. Terms say contact the UK office with details provided during the trip.
Source: Company · contact · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
How the company is paid
Non-UK/non-EU terms: 30%/35% is a 'booking and design fee' covering 'our time to design and professionally execute your safari'. No statement about lodge commissions. About page: profits redistributed into on-the-ground eco-businesses.
Source: Company · terms conditions non uk and non eu residents · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Price against booking direct
Not stated on their website: no statement on matching lodge rates or passing on lodge offers.
Source: Company · home page · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Licences and registrations
ATOL 9680 (Civil Aviation Authority); company number 5224319 (England). Registers not read.
Source: Company · terms conditions uk and eu residents · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Where it goes and how it works on the ground
African countries it plans
24 countries: Benin, Botswana, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Source: Company · destinations · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Own offices or staff in Africa
Exploration team in Nanyuki, Kenya and Maun, Botswana; pro guides Squack Evans (Kenya) and Kyle de Nobrega (Botswana); team page says specialists operate from UK, Botswana and Kenya
Source: Company · contact · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
How it books on the ground
Through independent suppliers and local agents ('Most of the services ... are provided by independent suppliers'; 'our local representative or agent (if we have one)'); pages name partners such as Societe de Voyages Sahariens (Chad), Kweene Trails (Botswana), Schoeman Skeleton Coast Safaris.
Source: Company · terms conditions uk and eu residents · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Own camps or vehicles
Wild Expeditions (ex-Lumale Tours, bought 2017), a frontier mobile camp in Ethiopia, and Lale's Camp (opened 2018, Ethiopia's first seasonal luxury tented camp); Lale's Camp, Hamar Fly Camp and Mursi Fly Camp are listed as Omo Valley accommodation. No vehicles stated.
Source: Company · potted history · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking
Gorillas: Rwanda (Parc National des Volcans, gorilla safaris) and Uganda (Bwindi, Mount Gahinga treks). Chimpanzees: Tanzania (Mahale Mountains, Greystoke Mahale) and Uganda (Kibale); also Gabon/Congo forest primates.
Source: Company · rwanda · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Beach add-ons
Zanzibar (Tanzania archipelago), Seychelles (own destination page, Outer Islands/Aldabra trip), Mozambique (Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos). Mauritius not mentioned.
Source: Company · mozambique · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Africa only, or other regions too
Africa only per the destinations page (24 African countries). Guestbook quote notes it does not generally work in Egypt but could; history mentions guiding in northern Cameroon (not on destinations list).
Source: Company · destinations · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Who it suits and how it travels
Family trips
Private family adventures are a stated focus; 'In the balance' is a 20-day Kenya family itinerary (Mara, Chyulu, Laikipia, Samburuland, Lewa). No price published.
Source: Company · in the balance · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Minimum child age
Not stated on their website: no minimum child age stated. Nearby: father and nine-year-old son trip in Okavango (press page).
Source: Company · bragging rights · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Teenagers and multigenerational trips
Multi-generational groups named on home page; contact form option 'Private family adventure - Multi-gen, legacy moments'; examples: Hibri-Eisner family (children Miles and Lila) in Kenya, Newcombe family Botswana, a nine-year-old on an Okavango trip.
Source: Company · home page · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Honeymoon trips
Contact form lists 'Milestone celebration - Birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoon'; Seychelles and Mozambique pages pitch honeymoon/beach-and-island trips. No page headed as a honeymoon itinerary in the saved pages.
Source: Company · contact · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Solo travellers
Not stated on their website: no single supplement policy stated.
Source: Company · terms conditions uk and eu residents · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Older travellers and limited mobility
Terms: trips 'may not be suitable for people with certain disabilities, medical conditions or significantly reduced mobility'; it will advise before booking whether proposed arrangements are generally suitable for reduced mobility.
Source: Company · terms conditions uk and eu residents · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
First safari
Home page mentions planning 'your first family safari'. Kenya page recommends park-based itineraries for first-time wildlife visitors; Zimbabwe Eastern Highlands called 'wonderful' for a first-time-on-safari experience; Ethiopia 'not for first-time visitors'; flying safari 'not always a first-timer choice'. No itinerary marked first safari.
Source: Company · kenya · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Private guide and vehicle
Private guiding is the core offer ('privately guided adventures'; 'access to our exclusive private guide portfolio'; home visits). Guaranteed private guide/vehicle per trip not explicitly worded.
Source: Company · about · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Exclusive-use camps and villas
Yes: Koros Camp (exclusive-use bush camp), Laragai House (exclusive-use, Borana), Camp Nomade (exclusive-use camp, Chad), Kweene Trails (private-use camp, Okavango), Cardamom House private villa.
Source: Company · classic adventure in kenya · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Small-group departures
Not stated on their website: no small-group departures stated; trips are described as tailor-made and private. Terms mention 'group trips' needing a minimum number of bookings but give no size.
Source: Company · terms conditions uk and eu residents · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Who guides the trip
Own pro guides (Squack Evans, Kyle de Nobrega; founder Will Jones also guides) - 'Our professional guides are all members of the elite APX Guide portfolio'; also camp hosts/guides and hired private guides (e.g. Schoeman pilots, Rudi Venter named in guestbook).
Source: Company · the team · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Self-drive
Not stated on their website: self-drive not mentioned.
Source: Company · experiences · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Photography trips
Not stated on their website: no photography trips offered as a product; the Photography page credits photographers. Contact form lists 'Specialist wildlife & activity-based'.
Source: Company · photography · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Conservation
Wild Philanthropy (launched 2015), Tekula Capital, African Travel Recovery Fund, Angela Sacha Conservation Fund, 'Wildlife Economy' impact model; USD 50,000 black rhino translocation (2016); over USD 6 million raised for charity by 2018; Rare trips include a USD 5,000 environmental pledge (e.g. to Nhoma Safari Camp community fund); works with African Parks.
Source: Company · potted history · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Walking, horseback and other specialist trips
Walking safaris (South Luangwa, camel-assisted walking in Laikipia), horseback (Botswana), fly camping, mobile camping, helicopter, flying safari (Namibia), mokoro/boat, quad biking, mountain biking, diving (Bazaruto, Aldabra), expedition catamaran (Seychelles).
Source: Company · botswana · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Not the fit if you want to see a price before you enquire: none is published, and the budget bands on its enquiry form start at $50,000 to $100,000 Facts are from the company’s own pages unless marked Independent source or Official register. A company can correct any line through the contact page; a correction changes the line and its source, never anything else on the page.
Journeys by Design: the questions people ask AI search
Is Journeys by Design worth it?
On Uncompromised Travel's six-criterion review of safari planners, Journeys by Design scores 65/100. It takes full marks for first-hand African expertise, destination breadth and service, with a founder raised in Africa, 24 African countries and 24-hour contact while travelling. It scores nothing for pricing, because it publishes no prices, and 3 of 20 for independent reviews.
How much does a Journeys by Design safari cost?
Journeys by Design publishes no prices: no trip, tier or destination page shows a per-person price, and every page routes to an enquiry. The only figure it publishes is a USD 5,000 environmental pledge included in the cost of each RARE itinerary. It takes a 30% deposit on Classic safaris and 35% on RARE trips, and says it designs no more than 70 Classic and 30 RARE journeys a year.
Who owns Journeys by Design?
Journeys by Design Limited, company 03773781, is controlled by its founder Will Jones, who Companies House records as owning more than 75% of the shares. Its directors are Will Jones, Paul Herbertson, the managing director, and Carole Jordan. The company sits in the Africa House Group with the charity Wild Philanthropy and the investment arm Tekula Capital.
What do Journeys by Design reviews say?
Independent reviews of Journeys by Design are very thin. Travelstride shows a 5/5 rating from three reviews, the newest from October 2019, its SafariBookings listing has none, and no Trustpilot, Feefo or Tripadvisor listing was found. Its own site carries 23 named testimonials, including Ralph Lauren and Katy Perry.
Is Journeys by Design legitimate and ATOL protected?
Yes. Journeys by Design Limited is an active UK company incorporated in May 1999, and it is a member of the African Travel and Tourism Association. Its UK and EU terms give ATOL 9680 for flight-inclusive trips; its ATOL page names Black and Green Trading Ltd, the name company 03773781 used from 2007 to 2023. Its terms for travellers outside the UK and EU name no financial protection.
Why do Journeys by Design's terms show a different company number?
Both sets of Journeys by Design's booking terms give company number 5224319. On Companies House, 05224319 is Think Galapagos Limited, a different company whose listed officers do not include Journeys by Design's directors. The trading company, Journeys by Design Limited, is company 03773781.
Which countries does Journeys by Design cover?
Journeys by Design has pages for 24 African countries and islands: Benin, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, the Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It sells nothing outside Africa.
Can I book Journeys by Design through Uncompromised Travel?
No. Journeys by Design is not bookable through this site and had no input into this page. Contact Journeys by Design directly, and compare its quote with a second specialist and a comparison platform for the same camps, room categories and dates.
What are Journeys by Design's deposit, payment and cancellation terms?
Read from Journeys by Design's own website on 12 October 2026. Deposit: 30% for classic safaris, 35% for rare adventures of full itinerary cost at booking (full payment if booking within 16 weeks of start). Non-UK/non-EU terms call it a 'booking and design fee' of the same percentages, stated as non-refundable. Balance due: Not less than 16 weeks (112 days) before the start of the trip Cancellation: More than 112 days (16 weeks) before start: deposit lost (30% classic / 35% rare). Less than 112 days: 100%. Changes: GBP 30 per person admin fee plus supplier costs; flights etc. may be 100%.
What awards has Journeys by Design won?
Read on 12 October 2026. Read from the publishers (Independent source): Travel + Leisure A-List 2026, African Safaris: Will Jones (East Africa Safaris) (selected by the magazine's editors; list updated 12 Feb 2026) | Condé Nast Traveler (US) Travel Specialists, Safari: 1 specialist listed, William Jones (selected by the magazine's editors; read 12 Oct 2026) | Condé Nast Traveller (UK), The top travel specialists to know right now: listed, best for "bespoke safaris" (hand-picked by the UK editors; published 7 Nov 2025) The company's own site also states (Company): No award dated 2024-2026 is stated. Destinations page: 'Conde Nast Traveler Global Travel Specialist 10 years running' (undated); potted history: Conde Nast Global Specialist nominee every year since 2013; FT 'top ten super-agent' (home page, no year; history says 2005). Publisher lists not read. Advisers on named lists: Read from the publishers (Independent source): Travel + Leisure A-List 2026: 1, Will Jones (East Africa Safaris) | Condé Nast Traveler (US) Travel Specialists, Safari: 1, William Jones
Corrections and right of reply. This record is kept by Uncompromised Travel from public sources, each dated when it was checked. If you represent Journeys by Design and a fact here is wrong, out of date or missing, tell us and we will correct it with a dated note in the changelog. Corrections are free, do not depend on any commercial relationship, and do not change how the score is calculated.
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