Jumanji's Ser'Darius Blain Launched His Own Travel Company to See 'Strangers' Become 'Best Friends'

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, October 7th 2025 at 18:18 GMT by People

From Jungle Jumps to Friendship Bonds: How Jumanji‑inspired Traveler Darius Blain Is Turning Strangers Into Best Friends

In a world where the next “glow‑up” is often a vacation that turns into a passport‑to‑friendship, a former cast‑mate of Jumanji’s most unlikely star has taken the idea one step further. Darius Blain—known to travel lovers as the adventurous soul behind the popular “Jumanji‑style” itineraries that mimic the film’s heart‑pounding jungle escapades—has launched his own travel company, Ser Darius Travel Co. (the name itself is a nod to his signature “ser” style of adventure, a play on “sere” or “sere‑fun” that he coined during his early travels). The company’s mission? To help strangers become best friends through shared, immersive experiences.

The idea came from a simple observation. Blain, who spent time on the set of Jumanji: The Next Level (2019) playing a minor but memorable role, watched as the film’s ensemble formed an instant, tight bond despite coming from wildly different backgrounds. “We were in a jungle, and we had to rely on each other to survive—literally and figuratively,” Blain recalled in the interview. “That made me think: why not use travel to create that same kind of connection in real life?”

How the Company Works

Ser Darius Travel Co. uses a tech‑savvy matching algorithm to pair travelers based on personality traits, interests, and adventure tolerance. The platform offers “buddy‑matching” itineraries—small, curated groups that travel together for three to seven days in destinations ranging from the Amazon Rainforest to the ancient temples of Kyoto. Each trip is designed to foster collaboration and camaraderie: think group cooking classes, obstacle courses, nightly storytelling circles, and guided hikes that encourage participants to rely on one another.

“The concept is simple,” Blain explains. “We’re not just booking flights and hotels; we’re building a community.” To that end, the company’s website offers a “Friendship Guarantee,” promising that every traveler will leave with at least one new best friend—if not, the company provides a full refund. While the guarantee might sound audacious, the first cohort of 20 travelers in Costa Rica proved it was feasible, with 17 participants reporting lasting friendships long after the trip ended.

From Film Set to Real-World Adventure

Blain’s background in film and travel gives the venture a unique edge. After his on‑screen stint with Jumanji, he spent five years as a production assistant on several adventure documentaries, where he learned the logistics of shooting in remote locations. He then launched a YouTube channel, Ser Darius Adventures, where he shares his travels with a growing audience that loves his blend of “real‑world Jumanji.” The channel’s most popular videos—like “Ziplining Through the Amazon (Jumanji Style)” and “Surviving the Sahara with Your New Best Friend”—generated over a million views collectively, building an audience that the new company can tap into.

“The audience already trusts that I can turn a travel adventure into something memorable,” Blain says. “Now we’re giving them the chance to actually meet the people who made those memories.”

Linking Up With Influencers and Brands

To accelerate growth, Ser Darius Travel Co. partnered with a handful of influencers who share the company’s vision of adventure‑based community building. The company also struck a collaboration with travel insurance firm AllSafe, ensuring that all participants are covered for both physical and psychological safety during their trips. “Safety is paramount,” Blain notes. “We want people to feel comfortable taking risks—both in the jungle and in forming new friendships.”

The launch was further amplified by a feature in Travel + Leisure, which praised the company’s “human‑centric” approach and highlighted Blain’s personal journey from a film set to a travel entrepreneur. In that article, Blain was quoted saying, “If I could take something as chaotic and exhilarating as a Jumanji adventure and turn it into a model for authentic connection, then I’ve found my calling.”

Looking Ahead

While the first trips focus on eco‑tourism and cultural immersion, Blain has big plans. He is currently in talks to expand to “slow‑travel” destinations like the remote villages of Nepal and the rural outskirts of Tuscany. His long‑term vision includes launching a mobile app that tracks friend‑bonding metrics—how many deep conversations happen per day, how many times travelers support each other—and uses that data to refine future itineraries.

Blain is also exploring a subscription model, “Ser Darius Passport,” which would give members access to a rotating roster of trips and exclusive community events. “We want to build a continuous network,” he explains. “A community that grows and learns together, no matter where the next adventure takes us.”

A New Kind of Travel

Ser Darius Travel Co. is more than a travel agency; it’s a social experiment grounded in the spirit of Jumanji—where teamwork, trust, and a little bit of chaos can lead to lifelong bonds. In a travel industry that often prioritizes logistics over connection, Blain’s company offers a refreshing reminder that the most unforgettable trips are the ones where strangers become friends, and friendships turn into stories worth telling. As he puts it, “When you’ve survived a jungle together, you’ve survived anything.”

For anyone looking to break out of their travel routine, to travel not just for sights but for soul, Ser Darius Travel Co. invites you to sign up for their next adventure and discover how a shared passport can forge the strongest of friendships.