In addition to my year-in-review recap, I have another tradition on this blog: a look ahead to the places I hope to visit in the coming year. Since 2019, I’ve made it a habit every other year to share a list of 10 international destinations and a few local spots I’d love to explore.
Over the years, 23 countries have made it onto these lists, and I’m happy to say I’ve crossed 10 of them off—some multiple times. Of course, I’ve also visited several places that didn’t make the cut.
10 of 23…
On the local front, I highlighted 13 destinations and managed to visit 11 of them. Tsavo National Park and Meru National Park are the last two left to tick off. It is likely that I’ll cut Meru National Park from this list but who knows what opportunities the next two years hold? 🙂
Some of my Favourite Local Stops…
For planned local travels, Tsavo National Park takes the top spot on my list. My plan is to take the SGR from Nairobi to Voi, spend a few days in the area, and then continue to Diani via Mombasa. On my way back, I’m thinking of trying out the new Premier Class carriages on the train.
You’ll certainly read about that experience here if I do check it out!
As for international travel, I have many recurring destinations for this year’s list of places I’d like to visit. I’ve bumped a few off the top 10 list simply because planning a visit within the next two years is a bit unrealistic. Anyway, in no particular order, here are my top 10 wishlist countries or trip combinations:
10 International Trips on my Wish List…
- Uganda – God willing, this will be my first trip of the year. Honestly, I’m almost ashamed to say that I have lived in Kenya this long and still have not visited. Mark has been there several times in the past two years; however, I have just not found the perfect sweet spot for my preferred destinations.
- China – I have a pretty cool itinerary for China, Hong Kong and Taiwan that needs to be executed!
- Jordan – another destination that keeps reappearing on these lists. I hope I visit soon.
- Maldives (or Mauritius) – I love a good beach destination. Maldives and Mauritius have climbed higher up my wish list over the years.
- Portugal and Switzerland – I missed a chance to go last year (due to visa-related reasons); hoping the tides change for me and I can spend some time visiting Porto, Lisbon and going village hopping in Switzerland.
- Albania– a newcomer to my wish list, but by no means the least exciting.
- Zambia and Zimbabwe – if I can secure a reasonable flight ticket, this looks like a 2025/2026 trip combo.
- Canada – I recently got my first Canadian visa and can’t wait to use it! 🙂 I’d love to go hiking in and around Banff National Park.
- Vietnam – This is supposed to be one of our “Big Trips” for 2025. Unfortunately, the visa application process has been something of a nightmare. I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for a miracle though.
- The Stans (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan) – a wild card (as I usually have on these lists) but I never say never!
Trip Planning Resources
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Purchase Travel Insurance: I use SafetyWing for both my travel and visa application needs
Activities: Find fun activities and tours in your destination via Get Your Guide, Viator or Klook Travel
eSIM: Get your travel eSIM here
In addition to the destinations above, there are places I’ve visited in the past few years that I would love to revisit over the next two years.
Destinations to Revisit…
I would love to revisit Japan and South Korea. In 2022 and 2023, I took solo trips to these countries and have been itching to go back ever since.
In Kenya, I’d love to go back to Diani. We go to Naivasha multiple times every year, so I think it’ll be a destination we revisit this year. I’d also love to head back home to Nigeria at some point to see my family and friends…
And there you have it! My list of places to visit in 2025 (or 2026!)
And as usual, I would love to hear from you. Please share with me your list of destinations you hope to visit in the coming year(s). Perhaps we have a few in common! 🙂
Ouu your list looks exciting and I look forward to hearing your stories from wherever you end up! I would love to visit Japan, and pairing with that with a re-visit to Korea or maybe Hong Kong would be lovely!
Uganda for you is New Mexico for me, though not an international travel destination for me, its one of those places I have been wanting to (and live close enough to) visit, so hoping I can this year. I would love to visit White Sands National Park.
Oh my gosh, I just googled White Sands National Park! Safe to say it is now on my list! I hope you get to visit, so I can see it through your eyes too!
Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong is also a trip combination I would love to do. Hong Kong will be new for me and I just applied for that visa, so fingers crossed 🙂
Thanks for your comment, Tiesé!