Jessica Kelly-Journalist

Jessica Kelly

Journalist

March, 2025
Travel Journalist and Photographer
Wildlife News, Travel News
  • 174
    articles
  • 132
    News
  • 42
    Features

About Jessica Kelly

Jessica Kelly is a Travel Journalist and Photographer living in New York. She has nearly a decade of experience writting for publications like Robb Report, the Smithsonian, Condé Nast Traveler, Elite Traveler, Insider, Wine Enthusiast, AAA World Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Food & Wine, Thrillist, Roadtripper, Bon Appetit, Matador Network, Hemispheres, Lonely Planet, Islands, and more. In addition to writing, she specializes in photography, videography, and copy editing. Jess has traveled extensively throughout 60+ countries, countless cities, and all 7 continents, making her an expert in the industry. She's incredibly passionate about diving into cultures through food and adventure, in addition to wildlife travel. This thirst for knowledge about animals has gone far beyond her obsession with documentaries and wildlife books, and has led her to some extraordinary adventures around the globe. From cage diving with great white sharks in the clear waters of Guadalupe Island and swimming with penguins, seals, hammerheads, and more in the Galapagos Islands, to trekking with gorillas in Rwanda, safaris in Botswana, and finding pink dolphins in the Amazon, she can't get enough of seeing  animals in the wild.

What destination has meant the most to you and why?

Africa! Since visiting Botswana for the first time in December of 2022, it changed me. I've always loved animals, but seeing these beautiful animals in the wild with their babies is something I hope everyone get's to experience once in their lifetime.

What do you love most about travelling?

The food! Experiencing the local cuisine and markets is my favorite way to dive into new cultures.

Bucket list vacation destination?

My biggest travel goal has always been to visit every continent. Visiting Antarctica in February 2024 and Australia in May 2024 completed that goal! If you can stand the cold, Antarctica should be on everyones bucket list. Watching Adélie, Chinstrap, and Gentoo penguins with their babies, leopard seals sleeping on bright blue icebergs, and orcas hunting in the surrounding icy waters is something I'll truly never forget!

Latest

Cruise ships at Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
This Underrated Caribbean "Cruise" Will Only Cost About $100 A Day

Trade in the massive cruise ship for a 12-person sailing around the British Virgin Islands

Baros Maldives
I Went To The Maldives And Avoided The Beach—And I Don't Regret It

The Maldives usually conjures images of lounging on the beach in the sun. My Maldives stay, however, was beach-free, yet picture-perfect.

Coral reefs, white sand and rocks underwater with an island in the distance on a partly cloudy day
This Honeymoon Hot Spot Has A Wild Side: I Found It While Getting Dive Certified

Discover the adventurous side of French Polynesia: get dive certified, explore the vibrant underwater world, and go beyond the honeymoon hot spots.

Jessica Kelly exploring Antarctica by kayak
Beyond The Bucket List: What A Cruise To Antarctica Really Feels Like

Journey to the ends of the Earth solo left me with memories that can truly never be replaced.

Humpback Whale Breaches Out of the Water in Alaska
I Was Inches From A Bear And Face-To-Face With Whales—This Is What Alaska Feels Like

The untamed beauty of Alaska is one of the reasons the Last Frontier is a dream destination for adventurers.

Sunset over Furnas Lake with flowers in the foreground.
I Traveled Across "The Land Shaped By Fire"—Here’s What Took My Breath Away

Explore Portugal and the Azores with Nat Geo experts—stunning landscapes, rare wildlife, and volcanic wonders await on this unforgettable journey.

Gold, bronze McDonald's Imperial restaurant logo with a bronze eagle in Porto, Portugal, the most beautiful McDonald's in the world
I Ate At The World's Most Beautiful McDonald's, And It Ruined Fast Food For Me Forever

Crystal chandeliers and 1930s stained glass make the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world, and it felt far too fancy for fast food.

Close up of a Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus), an invasive species in some U.S. national parks
Invasive Burmese Python In Florida Was One Of The Largest Ever Captured

Florida locals continue to keep the invasive Burmese pythons under control, but these giants just keep coming.

Yosemite Waterfall Night Rainbow / Moonbow
Yosemite's Most Beautiful Attraction Will Only Last A Few More Days

There’s less than a week left to experience night rainbows in Yosemite National Park, and you’re not going to want to miss it.

A view of Conch Island, a manmade island composed entirely of seashells, in the British Virgin Islands, Caribbean
This Hidden Mini Caribbean "Island" Gets Bigger Every Day, And You Can Help It Grow

Massive mounds of conch shells have been towering near Anegada in the British Virgin Islands for hundreds of years.

Nesting bald eagle pair
Go Go Gizmo! Sunny’s Sister Gizmo Catches Up And Takes Her First Flight From The Nest

The second Big Bear eaglet has left the nest, as both chicks grow up and get ready to be on their own

Mountain gorilla, Rwanda
This Country Gives Each Baby Gorilla A Name, And It Has Helped Protect Them

Kwit Izana is a unique ceremony that not only helps celebrate the new life that comes into Volcanoes National Park, but also keeps them protected

Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida, FL, USA
Disney Removing A Magic Kingdom Staple To Make Room For Something Epic

Massive changes are coming to Disney, starting with saying goodbye to an old favorite

Alaskan husky puppies sitting together in grass
Meet Denali National Park's New Puppies: Squall, Storm, Graupel, Dew, And Fog

Introducing the Weather litter in Denali, the puppies that have a big job ahead of them to keep tradition alive and well

Hiker on a trail in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
Montana's Coolest Adventure Is The Latest Trend You Need To Know

This unusual activity in Montana is meant to encourage visitors to slow down and appreciate nature

Hot Springs Nevada
This Secret Hot Springs Offer The Best Views Of Nevada’s Tallest Mountain, Free Of Charge

Soak in Nevada's famous hot spring to unwind and relax, free of charge

Main Beach, East Hampton, The Hamptons of Long Island, New York, NY, USA
America's Most Beautiful Beach Is Officially This Underrated Shoreline

Two of the best beaches in the nation reside in an unsuspecting state

Bald eagles at Kachemak Bay
So Long, Sunny! One Of Big Bear's Baby Eaglets Officially Leaves The Nest

In a heartwarming moment, one of famous eaglets has taken flight for the first time

Supermoon over Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
Utah's Most Underrated National Park Offers An Exclusive "Nightlife" Experience

Soak in the energy from the full moon during this exclusive monthly nighttime activity in Bryce Canyon National Park.

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Bald eagle
Big Bear Eaglet, Sunny, Attempts First Flight From The Nest On Live Cam

The world has watched Sunny and Gizmo grow up in Big Bear, waiting for them to take that first leap from the nest

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