2025: The Year in Review

Welcome to the 2025 edition of my travel blogging year in review. Every year since 2016, I have shared a monthly recap of the adventures that shaped my year, and I still get excited writing each one. I cannot believe this marks the 10th edition of these reviews, a full decade of memories, journeys, and stories from the road!

Once again, thank you to everyone who visits, reads, and comments on my posts. In a time when travel blogging feels like a dying art, it means so much to have you still here. Thank you!

2025 was an interesting year for me, and travel, yet again, gave me the breather I needed to push through. As I look back on the adventures of the past year, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to have seen so many beautiful places around the world.

It is truly a blessing to be able to travel and experience so many places safely, to navigate the world as a Nigerian citizen even with all the restrictions that come with it – to be able to afford this life, to be healthy enough to do it, to be able to share these experiences with you and maybe even inspire you – it’s not something I will ever take for granted.

It was a great travel year for me; I got to visit several new places and revisit others with fresh eyes and enthusiasm. I stayed in some of my dream lodges, travelled solo, travelled with my family, and put my hiking boots to good use! I’ll get into the details below.

Baecations

A baecation refers to a vacation or trip taken with one’s romantic partner. It’s typically used to describe a getaway focused on spending quality time together and strengthening the relationship. This could be anything from a weekend city break to a longer tropical holiday.

2025 was full of adventures for Mark and me. We each took a few solo trips and squeezed in some great ones together too. We kicked off the year with a hiking day trip to Ngong Hills, one of our favourite spots for a quick escape from Nairobi. We spent the day exploring with our pup and wrapped it up with lunch at one of our go-to restaurants in the Karen area.

Next, we took our big trip of the year in March and spent 25 days exploring Japan with Mark’s brother, Andrew.

25 Days in Japan

Our journey began in Tokyo, then moved on to Osaka, where we took a day trip to Himeji. We then continued to Kyoto and explored nearby Uji on another day trip. From there, we headed to the picturesque village of Magome via Nagoya to hike the Nakasendo Trail. Returning to Nagoya for two more nights, we were fortunate to catch the cherry blossoms in bloom for the first time.

Next, we tackled the Kumano Kodo Trail, beginning in Yunomine Onsen and finishing in Nachisan, where we were greeted by cherry blossoms in full bloom once again. Our journey continued through Shizuoka, where the blossoms still painted the landscape, before heading to Fujikawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako. Finally, we wrapped up our adventure back where it all began – in Tokyo.

Japan remains one of my favourite destinations, and I am so happy to have had the chance to experience it again with my loved ones.

A Birthday Getaway to Tawi Lodge, Amboseli

Our next baecation took us to Amboseli in May, where we spent two nights at the very lovely Tawi Lodge. This was our second visit to Amboseli, and it was just as wonderful as the first.

Our stay was picturesque and pleasant, amplified by incredible views of Mount Kilimanjaro, remarkable elephant and giraffe sightings, and the beautiful lodge itself.

Celebrating Love in Rwanda

Our next stop was Rwanda, where we attended the wedding ceremony of our friends who live there. It’s always a great time being in Rwanda, and this visit was no different.

It was a quick trip – we arrived a day before the wedding and stayed one day after, giving us two relaxed days to spend in Kigali. We filled our time with walks around the city and enjoying great food at cafés and restaurants.

Castle Forest Lodge

After Rwanda, we found ourselves back in Castle Forest Lodge for a quick weekend getaway from Nairobi. This was our second visit, and we loved it just as much as the first.

This visit was especially memorable because we enjoyed a stunning view of Mount Kenya while camping at the upper campground. On our first visit, I did not even realise this part of the lodge existed, so discovering it on our second stay was a real treat.

Experiencing Fall in the USA

In November, I accompanied Mark to attend a conference in North Carolina. We decided to make a trip out of it, spending our time in Chapel Hill, Asheville, Cherokee and the Great Smoky Mountains.

We then drove to South Carolina, where the trip concluded with a three-night stay in Charleston, spent enjoying time with Mark’s parents.

A Festive Weekend at Lake Nakuru National Park

Our final baecation of the year took place in December, when Mark booked us a last-minute staycation at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge over the holiday season. He had visited the National Park once around Christmas in 2021, but it was my first time, which made the trip even more special.

We stayed there for two nights, right within the heart of the park, surrounded by the sounds of nature and gorgeous views of Lake Nakuru. We embarked on thrilling safari outings, and were lucky to have incredible sightings of giraffes, rhinos, buffaloes, birds and more! It was the perfect way to close out the 2025 travel year.

Solo Trips

Now, let’s talk about the solo trips I went on in 2025! My travels this year took me to some incredible destinations, each offering its own unique experiences and memories.

Diani, Kenya

My first solo adventure of the year was a “Bush and Beach” holiday in Kenya, starting with the coastal paradise of Diani. This trip delivered exactly the balance I was seeking and deepened my love for Kenya even more.

I think it is incredible that a holiday like this can exist. Waking up on a stunning white sand beach with turquoise waters and then, by afternoon, being immersed in an unforgettable savannah wildlife experience. That is Kenya for you!

Taita-Taveta, Kenya

From the coast, I ventured inland to Taita-Taveta County, close to Tsavo National Park, where I stayed at The Hildana Lodge.

I visited this lodge in February, and it was the perfect way to kickstart my travel year. The fact that I discovered it by chance still astounds me. It is the kind of place people want to gatekeep. Incredibly beautiful, with amazing service and ambience, and calm, enjoyable safaris within the conservancy. It is definitely a place I look forward to revisiting with my family.

Matsumoto, Japan

During our family trip to Japan, I took off for some days to explore Matsumoto on my own. This charming city, with its stunning castle and mountain backdrop, was the perfect place for some solo reflection and exploration.

I loved walking the quiet streets, visiting the striking Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, and the charming restaurants and cafes. My time here felt blissfully slow. I am currently planning my third trip to Japan, and I think Matsumoto will be one of my stops again.

Multi-cities, South Korea

South Korea was one of the highlights of my solo travel year. I explored multiple cities, including Busan, Geoje, Gyeongju, Suncheon, Suwon, and Seoul. Each city offered its own character, from coastal beauty to historical treasures and urban energy.

Like Japan, this was my second visit to the country. I flew from Tokyo to Busan and spent ten days exploring new cities and having a wonderful time.

Hong Kong

My Asian adventure continued with a stop in Hong Kong. It was not originally part of my plan, but when I realised I could save $600 by having a layover here, and that the eVisa was fairly easy to obtain, I decided to add it to my itinerary.

I chose to stay for three nights, and it turned out to be a vibrant mix of modern urban life and traditional culture. Hong Kong was a great representation of everything I love in a city: efficient transportation, a strong sense of safety, beautiful parks scattered throughout, stunning harbour views, and good food.

Another Stop in Diani, Kenya

My next solo trip was in September. After a family trip to Italy fell through due to visa application issues, I decided to fill that time by embarking on a few trips of my own. A return trip to Diani was first on the itinerary.

This return trip was inspired by a chance Airbnb find. Like The Hildana Lodge, I had stumbled upon Furaha House by Eden Escapes and was so drawn to it that I had to go back to the coast. Thankfully, it lived up to my expectations as a stunning oasis in the town.

I also took the opportunity to spend some time at the Swahili Beach Resort, which was a pleasant stay and lived up to expectations as well.

Mombasa

My last stop on this coastal adventure was Mombasa. On this visit, I stayed at a lovely beachfront accommodation. While I had planned to explore more of the Old Town from there, I realised that the distance, combined with traffic, was quite inconvenient, so I ended up spending my time more leisurely instead.

It seems the theme of my 2025 travels was slow, relaxed experiences. I am looking forward to doing more of this in 2026.

Entebbe, Kampala, Kangulumira, Uganda

Next, I finally took the trip to Uganda that I had been talking about for a few years. I visited Entebbe, spent some time in Kampala, and wrapped up the trip in Kangulumira, a town close to Jinja.

My accommodations were the highlight of this trip. I stayed at Entebbe Forest Lodge, a gorgeous property I recently discovered, which transformed my time in Entebbe into a peaceful retreat.

This was followed by two nights hosted by my colleague (and work mum) in Kampala, then another two nights at my dream lodge, Lemala Wildwaters Lodge, another truly serene getaway in Uganda. And this wrapped up my solo trips for the year 2025.

Nairobi Day and Weekend Trips

Living in Nairobi has its perks, and one of them is the abundance of wonderful places just a short drive away. Throughout the year, I took advantage of these opportunities for quick escapes. I’ve already listed some of them in the trips above, but here’s a recap:

• Ngong Hills: As I mentioned earlier, Ngong Hills remained one of our favourite quick getaways. The panoramic views of the Great Rift Valley from the top never get old.
• Amboseli National Park (Tawi Lodge and Conservancy): Beyond our stay at Tawi Lodge, we also went on safari in Amboseli National Park.
• Beats and Bites at Studio 634: This intimate supper club experience was a recurring highlight of 2025.
• High tea in Nairobi: I had a lovely girls’ day out, enjoying the high tea and spa experience at the Kempinski Hotel, and I absolutely loved it. I hope to do more of this in 2026.
• Aberdare Hike: I joined a hike with Mona Trails to visit some waterfalls in Aberdare National Park.
• Coffee Dates: The Coffee Cabin was my favourite café. The aesthetics were just right.
• Lake Nakuru National Park: A lovely weekend in one of Kenya’s most unique parks.

Hiking Trips

2025 was truly a year for putting my hiking boots to work! Here are the major trails I conquered:

• Nakasendo Trail, Japan: This historic route through the Japanese countryside was absolutely magical. Walking through traditional post towns and enjoying the mountain scenery was a highlight of our Japan trip.
• Kumano Kodo Trail, Japan: The ancient forests and sacred shrines along the way create an unforgettable experience.
• Aberdare, Kenya: Stunning bamboo forests, beautiful forests, lovely countryside views – a spontaneous decision that led to a worthwhile experience.
• Appalachian Trail, USA: Tackling a section of the legendary Appalachian Trail during our USA trip was exhilarating. In 2018, Mark thru-hiked the entire length of the trail in just 4.5 months. Being able to have this shared experience with him felt wonderful.
• Alum Cave Trail, USA: This trail in the Great Smoky Mountains, with its unique geological features and stunning views, was the perfect addition to our American adventure.

Month by Month Adventures on Travel with a Pen

Finally, here’s a quick breakdown of where I was throughout 2025:

• January: Visa Runs for March trip, Nairobi, Ngong Hills
• February: Diani Beach, Taita-Taveta County (The Hildana Lodge)
• March: Matsumoto, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto
• April: Nakasendo Trail, Kumano Kodo Trail, Nagoya, Tokyo, Busan, Gyeongju, Suncheon, Suwon, Seoul, Hong Kong
• May: Amboseli National Park (Tawi Lodge and Conservancy)
• June: Beats & Bites Supper Club (until December)
• July: Kigali
• August: High Tea and hosting experiences
• September: Aberdare National Park, Diani, Mombasa, Entebbe, Kampala, Kangulumira
• October: Castle Forest Lodge, Chapel Hill, Asheville
• November: Cherokee, Charleston
• December: Christmas events in Nairobi, Lake Nakuru National Park

As I look back on 2025, I’m filled with gratitude for every adventure, every sunset, every trail, every new friend made, and every familiar place revisited. Travel continues to be my greatest teacher, showing me the beauty of our world and the kindness of people across cultures. Thank you for following along on this journey. Here’s to more adventures in 2026!

Happy New Year!