Born in Karagwe district in northwest Tanzania, Jonesia grew up as the ninth of thirteen children in a family that valued perseverance and responsibility. With Rumanyika protected area as her backyard, nature was part of her daily life. Though she once dreamed of becoming a dentist, her path shifted after a formative school trip to Mikumi and Ruaha National Parks during her advanced secondary studies, where a guide named Kamama inspired her to pursue wildlife guiding as a profession. Determined to follow this calling, she studied tour guiding at African Tourism College in Dar es Salaam, overcoming cultural and family resistance to women entering the profession. Her persistence paid off. Along the way, she was honoured in Condé Nast Traveller magazine and recognized among “All Women Leading Change in Tourism,” becoming a benchmark for female guides in Tanzania. For Jonesia, guiding is about empowerment: helping others find their way, creating unforgettable moments, building connections, and inspiring experiences that become meaningful. Today, she brings her expertise to Sauti Africa Safaris, leading expeditions through Selous/Nyerere, Mikumi, Ruaha, Tarangire, Serengeti, Udzungwa National Parks, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Guests value her leadership, cultural knowledge, and storytelling, which make every safari both educational and deeply enjoyable.