Based In Amersham

Joanna Merredew

Available for new enquiries

It's Nice To Meet You

My name is Joanna and I am based in the leafy Chilterns in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

I have 30 years of experience in travel and am fortunate to have explored many destinations around the world. I craft unique, personalised trips for clients using my extensive travel knowledge and expertise. Travel enriches our lives in countless ways, whether it be through the discovery of new landscapes and cultures, creating cherished family memories or simply broadening our own horizons. I will make your holiday as carefree as possible, providing support and advice before you travel and throughout your trip.

My father was a navigator in the RAF, flew private planes and worked for the Civil Aviation Authority. I flew on private planes before commercial ones and ‘assisted’ the inspection of runways in the Scottish Highlands! I embarked on my first own travel adventure at 18, on a six-month backpacking trip to India, Southeast Asia and Australia. On 30-hour bus rides in India, learning to dive the Great Barrier Reef and trekking in Thailand, I made lifelong friends and wonderful memories.

I knew that I would never work in any other industry other than travel. After university, where I spent a term at college in the U.S. and traversed the country by Amtrak, I joined STA Travel working my way from long-haul telesales to a regional sales manager. I led a group trip to China, holidayed in Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, continued my diving adventures in the Caribbean, Fiji and the Cook Islands and fell in love with Sri Lanka. Following maternity leave, I worked for a luxury travel PR & marketing agency, representing prestigious small ships, private islands, five-star resorts and boutique city hotels. I also arranged trips for top travel journalists and influencers.

I am married with three children (and a lively Labrador) and love nothing more than planning family holidays, whether it is skiing and summer trips to the Alps, holidays under canvas, beach stays in the Caribbean (St Lucia is a family favourite), a Disneyland Florida family celebration, a multigenerational city break to Berlin and an epic family Odyssey across Italy and France by plane, train and automobile! This year I travelled with my youngest son (aged 12) to Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, South Africa. It was a joy to see him so engaged and inspired by the incredible conservation and community projects. He learnt more about the exceptional wildlife from his time spent with the outstanding rangers and trackers than from any classroom lesson.

I would be delighted to help plan your next travel adventure, whether you are going solo, in a couple or travelling with friends and family. From a ski trip, relaxing beach or cultural/foodie city break, long-haul adventure, spa and wellness holiday to dream honeymoon or cruise, I suggest options to suit your budget that are crafted with care and attention to detail. I’ll put an emphasis on thoughtful, bespoke travel experiences reflecting your interests and preferences. Things you won’t find in standard travel brochures…

On the off chance that I have not been to a particular region, I am supported by a team of expert Travel Counsellor colleagues with knowledge of everywhere around the globe. When you are ready to book, I make all the arrangements for you – travel and transfers, accommodation and experiences in your destination.

When a holiday is booked with me your money is protected by a financial trust and ATOL giving you 100% peace of mind. You have access to help and advice 24/7 for the duration of your holiday.

I look forward to hearing from you and to arranging a call or personal meeting.

Joanna

TTG Luxury Travel Awards 2025 – New Luxury Travel Designer of the Year Finalist

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Contact Me

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My Blog

I absolutely live and breathe travel and I love to write about my experiences! Please take a look through my posts - you might find your own holiday inspiration.

South Africa Safari Adventure

06 November 2023

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, South Africa In January 2023 I embarked on a trip of a lifetime with my 12-year-old son, Johnny to Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve in South Africa. I am fortunate to have visited this incredible safari location a few times but to be able to take my son with me was so special. Sabi Sabi Private Game reserve is located in the southwest section of Kruger national park. There are four camps – Earth Lodge, Selati Camp, Bush Lodge and Little Bush. We stayed at the unfenced Selati Camp which is a small, all suite camp, inspired by a 1900s rail road that ran through the site of the camp. It is full of beautiful antique pieces, steam train memorabilia, historic paraphernalia and lit by oil at night. Johnny told me that the one-hour drive from Skukuza airport to Selati Camp was the best hour of his life (little did he know what was to come!) spotting elephants en route. Game drives are daily – early morning and later afternoon to coincide with sunrise and sunset – the best time for animal viewings. My son loved chatting with the Sabi Sabi rangers and trackers on our game drives (Richard and Trevor), hearing all of their in-depth knowledge of the wildlife and hearing about their lives as rangers. Aside from the Big Five animal sightings (yes, we saw them all!) a true highlight for me was the beautiful starry skies driving back from the evening game drives and as always seeing the Southern Cross was incredible. It was such a thrill to have a leopard spot post-sundowners after tracking all evening. There is plenty of time to relax in between game drives – sit on the beautiful open viewing deck with a pair of binoculars and watch the elephants, rhinos and impala visit the watering hole. And the food! Every evening we dined in a different location in the camp – always outside. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner is included. Our experience was truly remarkable, filled with incredible wildlife sightings, the warmest hospitality, luxury accommodation, amazing food and heart-warming community encounters. I would love to help plan your safari experience whether you plan to travel solo, as a couple, with friends or your family. Sabi Sabi Private Game reserve has the perfect camp to suit everyone and at Bush Lodge the Elefun Centre will keep younger children entertained in between game drives – they can even learn to be a Junior Ranger and Tracker! A safari experience can also be part of a wider South African adventure. Please contact me to learn more!