The Best Time to Travel is Now, Here’s Why…

The best time to travel is Now – I said this in 2017, when I first published this post, and it is still so relevant today!

The irony of this post is that I was originally only editing this article to insert into a new one about budget friendly vacations for Nigerian travellers. However, due to its relevance in recent times, I have decided to republish it. And I know the (Nigerian) economy STILL says otherwise, but just hear me out.

Hilton Kuwait Beachfront

First, I believe it’s important to narrow down the audience for this post. If you’re the sort of person who finds themselves wandering around a travel blog, daydreaming about trips they’d love to take, then you may continue reading. And if you’re not, you may also continue reading too 🙂

The best part of this article is that you can just take out the ‘travel’ bit and replace it with whatever you’re passionate about.

The best time to travel from Nigeria

Is There a “Perfect” Time for Travel?

I don’t know if this is a question you’ve ever asked yourself. What I do know is that from interactions I’ve had with several people, there seems to be a perception that there is a “best time” to travel.

It’s the time when you have all the money and the time in the world. It’s when you’re single or when you win the lottery or an all-expense-paid trip around the world.

Do you want to know what the truth is?

“Conditions are never perfect. ‘Someday’ is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. Pro and con lists are just as bad. If it’s important to you and you want to do it ‘eventually,’ just do it and correct course along the way.”

― Timothy Ferriss, The Four Hour Work Week
"Conditions are never perfect. ‘Someday’ is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you" Share on X

So how then do we move from here?

The Best Way to Get Something Done is to Begin

As with travel and everything else one is passionate about, the best way to get something done is to simply begin. You may not have all the time or all the resources you’d like to have but if you can just begin with the little you have, you’ll find that it makes a world of difference.

kakum national park cape coast
Exploring Ghana on a road trip from Nigeria

Don’t wait to explore the ‘big locations’ if you can’t afford to do so yet. Start by exploring your own city, then consider visiting neighbouring cities, states and countries. Be flexible with your destinations.

So you can’t afford to go to Europe just yet? Why not explore places closest to you? Cote d’ Ivoire, for example, has that European feel to it, when you think about it. They speak French (cue France vibes), have the world’s largest basilica (did someone say Vatican City?) and some of West Africa’s nicest beaches.

If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest
― Ecclesiastes 11:4

Want a safari but can’t get to Tanzania, South Africa or Kenya? Did you know that Ghana has an amazing wildlife park? Did you also know that Benin Republic’s Pendjari National Park is one of the best National Parks in West Africa? And of course, there is Yankari and Sumu wildlife park here in Nigeria.

The point here is to be flexible with destinations and to make the best use of the resources that you have right now.

Don’t Leave for Tomorrow What Can Be Done Today

Visiting Obudu Cattle Ranch Mountain Resort in Nigeria

If you can afford to travel now, just go ahead and do it. Again, you must bear in mind that conditions are never perfect. You might not have all the time or all the resources but if you can create a reasonable balance, go for it!

As someone who works a full-time job, I often get questions or remarks about how I can afford to travel ‘so much’. I wrote an article about this here but the summary is this: we make out time for what is most important to us. If that important thing is travel, you will make out time for it.

Don't leave for tomorrow, what can be done today Share on X

Do it now, sometimes ‘Later’ becomes ‘Never’

Fontainbleau, France

In 2015, when I decided to take my first solo tour in Europe, the exchange rate jumped from N160 to $1 to about N215 to $1 almost overnight and I almost had a panic attack! When I thought about all the clothes I could get with that money, I almost did a full U-turn back to my country!

But then, I thought about the experience I would be forfeiting, and the fact that I didn’t know when next I’d get the chance to visit the continent again and I decided to go on with it.

Do it now, sometimes 'Later' becomes 'Never' Share on X

Guess what, this is the year 2023 and the exchange rate never got better. In fact, it got worse. At some point, nearing N800 to $1, which is just outrageous! I am glad that I didn’t put off that opportunity. Even if the exchange rate improved (which I am praying that it does), the time is something I will never get back.

Also, like I have mentioned many times on this blog, that trip kick started this phase of travel in my life and I’m not sure that this blog would even exist if it wasn’t for it.

At the end of the day, all I am trying to do here is to encourage you to live out your passions and dreams NOW. ‘Now’ begins with a shift in mindset. It’s like the Alchemist said,

When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” ― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Changing your mindset to be more positive is one step closer to ‘NOW’. There are really no perfect conditions. If travelling is a passion of yours, the best time to make it happen is now!

Holm Cafe Zamalek

Trip Planning Resources

Book your accommodation: Find accommodation options for any budget on Booking.com

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

I always love to hear from you and invite you to share your opinion. Is travelling something you’re passionate about? I’m assuming the answer is ‘yes’ since you’re here :). Are you living out this passion? If yes, what has the experience been like? If no, what’s stopping you?

21 comments

  1. Very true words which will always be relevant. As they say in real estate, the best time to buy a house was yesterday and the 2nd best time is now. This applies to travel too. It’s an epiphany I’m happy I’ve had because I still can’t afford a trip to Europe BUT now I’ve visited close to 100 Jamaican gems and even 1 trip to South America. Start small 🙂

    1. Imagine spending all that time waiting for Europe and missing out on absolutely amazing gems in Jamaica and Peru! Europe and other continents will definitely still happen and you have had wonderful adventures already and that’s a win!

I love to hear from you, Leave a comment here!

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Help! Why are we losing home and away! 😭🤣 God abeg!

I will resume my complaining once we fix our visa process/make it more accessible for other African travellers!

Side bar: if you have connections in Vietnam, please DM me! 😭😂 I still want to go!
Help! Why are we losing home and away! 😭🤣 God abeg! I will resume my complaining once we fix our visa process/make it more accessible for other African travellers! Side bar: if you have connections in Vietnam, please DM me! 😭😂 I still want to go!
1 day ago
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Mount Kilimanjaro and giraffes - I could cry! 🥹

If you're looking for a great weekend trip from Nairobi to change the pace, Amboseli National Park is truly one of the best places to visit!

For a road trip that's only about 4-5 hours from Nairobi, you get epic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, large elephant herds and if you pick the right lodge, you can watch incredible wildlife come and go, right from the comfort of your dining table or even your room!
Mount Kilimanjaro and giraffes - I could cry! 🥹 If you're looking for a great weekend trip from Nairobi to change the pace, Amboseli National Park is truly one of the best places to visit! For a road trip that's only about 4-5 hours from Nairobi, you get epic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, large elephant herds and if you pick the right lodge, you can watch incredible wildlife come and go, right from the comfort of your dining table or even your room!
1 day ago
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💙
💙
7 days ago
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It was a rainy morning in Nairobi and we went on a walk with the pup 🐶
It was a rainy morning in Nairobi and we went on a walk with the pup 🐶
7 days ago
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4/9
A not-so-hidden gem in South Korea 🇰🇷 

Suncheon Bay National Garden is absolutely worth visiting.😍
A not-so-hidden gem in South Korea 🇰🇷 Suncheon Bay National Garden is absolutely worth visiting.😍
1 week ago
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5/9
Everyday is a pleasant surprise! 🌻🥹
Everyday is a pleasant surprise! 🌻🥹
1 week ago
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Oh please, add Gyeongju to your South Korean itinerary! 🇰🇷

It's a charming, beautiful and walkable city that I think is worth visiting. 

When I visited the country for the first time, I picked Jeonju over Gyeongju. Not much thought went into that decision. I just did it - no regrets.

Luckily I got to revisit and what a joy! It's magical in every way! ✨️
Oh please, add Gyeongju to your South Korean itinerary! 🇰🇷 It's a charming, beautiful and walkable city that I think is worth visiting. When I visited the country for the first time, I picked Jeonju over Gyeongju. Not much thought went into that decision. I just did it - no regrets. Luckily I got to revisit and what a joy! It's magical in every way! ✨️
1 week ago
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7/9
Natural, Unfiltered Beauty! 🌸💙

The cherry blossoms were late but that itself was a blessing. I was happy to get clear, gorgeous views of Mount Fuji!

Oh, this trip - this country! Some places leave a permanent mark. This was one of them!
Natural, Unfiltered Beauty! 🌸💙 The cherry blossoms were late but that itself was a blessing. I was happy to get clear, gorgeous views of Mount Fuji! Oh, this trip - this country! Some places leave a permanent mark. This was one of them!
1 week ago
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Oh, this charming town! 💙

Beautiful cobbled-stone streets, a gorgeous trail that leads to yet another beautiful well-preserved Edo-period post town, temples and shrines... this is Magome-Juku 

If you plan to visit, I recommend staying a night or two. Accommodation is quite limited and everything shuts down by 5pm.

We stayed at Magomechaya for 2 nights. This place has both hostels and private rooms and our stay was absolutely wonderful. I'd definitely revisit!
Oh, this charming town! 💙 Beautiful cobbled-stone streets, a gorgeous trail that leads to yet another beautiful well-preserved Edo-period post town, temples and shrines... this is Magome-Juku If you plan to visit, I recommend staying a night or two. Accommodation is quite limited and everything shuts down by 5pm. We stayed at Magomechaya for 2 nights. This place has both hostels and private rooms and our stay was absolutely wonderful. I'd definitely revisit!
2 weeks ago
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