Our starting point is simple: we offer what we genuinely know. For Ryan and Sherry, that’s trail running and birding, two passions shaped over years of practice and community.

So why safaris? These trips are inspired by our time exploring the rainforests of Thailand, Honduras, Peru, Costa Rica, and Colombia. Moving slowly through those ecosystems — listening, watching, learning — showed us how powerful it is to let nature set the pace. That experience sparked a desire to help others connect with wild places in the same immersive way.

To make these journeys possible, we partner with Africa Sustainable Journeys, a purpose-driven tour company based in Uganda. Together, we create experiences that honor wildlife, support local communities, and invite travelers into deeper relationship with the natural world.

At JoyBound Adventures, we believe in creating positive change through the joy of transformational, purpose-built travel. When done with intention, travel can uplift communities, champion wild places, and spark transformation in all of us.

Our trips are about far more than breathtaking views or unforgettable trails. They’re about genuine connection, to the landscapes we explore, the people we meet, and the communities at the heart of every JoyBound experience. That’s where we aim to make a meaningful difference, one adventure at a time.

We’re two people who feel most at home when we’re a little bit lost, in the jungle, on a trail, or somewhere far from cell service. Between us, we’ve explored 37 countries, always chasing the kind of experiences that bring you closer to the natural world and farther from the noise of everyday life.

Sherry grew up in the mountains and rivers of East Tennessee, spending her childhood camping, paddling, hiking, fishing, and spotting critters anywhere she could. These days she’s an enthusiastic birder, always with binoculars in hand. One of her favorite things about birds? They are everywhere ... and watching them has a way of making time almost stop.

Ryan was raised in rural Texas, where being outside was simply part of the rhythm of life. Today he’s an avid trail runner who has trained, competed, and explored trails all over the Americas. He’s passionate about creating supported trail‑running adventures for the growing community of runners who crave big landscapes, good company, and a challenge worth training for.

Together, we have shared some life-changing adventures. We've explored Costa Rica’s pacific coves, mountain trails, cloud forests, and birding hotspots, soaking up the country’s incredible biodiversity and culture. In the extremely remote rainforest of La Moskitia, Honduras, we spent nine days rafting and camping along the Río Plátano river. Here, we found ourselves completely secluded from human civilization and surrounded by a jungle chorus, from flocks of chattering macaws to packs of howler monkeys in the treetops, always accompanied by the constant song of racing river rapids. In Peru’s Madre de Dios region, we joined an Amazonian herpetology expedition, searching the steamy jungle each night for caimans, snakes, frogs, and other native wildlife. This trip supported Junglekeepers in their mission to protect more than 77,000 acres of threatened rainforest. 

Adventure travel changes a person. For us, the transformation included a deepened respect for the planet, a strengthened belief in responsible travel, and an understanding of the joy that comes from stepping into the unknown with curiosity and care. JoyBound Adventures grew out of that feeling. We wanted to create a space where people could discover the magic of nature‑forward travel. Adventures that are playful, thoughtful, and rooted in a love for wild places.

Now based in the Pacific Northwest, we’re surrounded by the landscapes that inspire us most. Whether you’re dreaming of a remote expedition, a trail‑running escape, or an introduction to adventure travel, we’re here to help you find the kind of experience that leaves you more connected, more alive, and more JoyBound.