Travel and Leaisure Worlds Best Awards for number 1 tour operator in the world 2024 and number 2 tour operator in the world 2025
We're one of the World's Best Tour Operators!
Voted No.1 in 2024 and No.2 in 2025 by Travel+Leisure

Africa & South America Travel Specialist

Joanna Rigby-Jones

“I love helping people bring their dream trips to life. So often, we're planning 'once in a lifetime' trips and it's exciting to be a part of that with my guests. I also love hearing from my travelers when they return, and learning about all of the things they saw and did!”

https://waybird.imgix.net/users/full_length_images/000/000/282/original/Joanna_Rignby-Jones.jpg?q=50&auto=format&crop=fill
My Travel Awards
Worlds Best Awards for number 1 tour operator in the world 2024
Joanna video thumbnail

Get to know your travel specialist

Joanna Rigby-Jones

On her first trip to Africa, Joanna spent several weeks hiking across Northern Tanzania, with no running water or electricity in sight. Thankfully, it didn’t put her off and instead, she retrained as an Africa Travel Specialist and started planning her next visit. That was just over a decade ago, and since then, she’s organised riding safaris in Kenya, swum in the Devil’s Pool at the top of Victoria Falls, and tracked lion across the Serengeti. In 2015, Joanna’s twin daughters were born, and she now lives in Maine in the US, helping Timbuktu clients create their own dream trips (mostly with running water and electricity you’ll be pleased to hear!)

Q&A

Get to know me...

Which destination is at the top of your travel bucket list?

Q: Which destination is at the top of your travel bucket list?

A: Mongolia! It's remote and less visited, and I'd love the opportunity to ride horseback there. I've been to Colombia a few times before, but I’m eager to return and visit Canos Cristales, Barichara and Santa Marta. I love visiting hidden corners that have so much culture and spirit to discover.

What is your travel style?

Q: What is your travel style?

A: I tend to stay in one area so I can get to know it really well. I don't like jumping from one place to the next or having a fast-paced experience. I really like to soak up the area, landscapes, people, culture, and food.

What is your top travel hack or tip?

Q: What is your top travel hack or tip?

A: Pack a sense of humor! Even the most perfectly planned trips can encounter sudden and unexpected changes. While we're here to make sure things go as smoothly as possible, it's always great to have a positive outlook and an ability to go with the flow.

What My Guests Say

HeartHeartHeartHeartHeart

Based on 95 reviews

Where I've been

Open Map
Static map

Some of my favourite...