Solo Tripping in South Korea – The Beginning!

Ever wondered what it’s like being a Nigerian in South Korea? Well, after my visit, I think I may be able to provide a little insight into what that’s like. Of course, visiting a country for 10+ days is vastly different from living in it for years, so this series of posts will be more suited for Nigerians looking to visit South Korea for tourism purposes.

I spent 12 days in South Korea, visiting Seoul, Jeonju, Boseong, Namwon and Busan. I will share all about my stay in these cities and what I got up to. I’ll also share a cost breakdown at the end of the series.

Visiting Boseong Tea Plantation from Jeonju

Nigerian in South Korea – Getting a Tourist Visa

I have written an extensive post about how to apply for a South Korean visa. While I applied for my visa in Kenya, I have also included the process of doing so in Nigeria. My visa application process was relatively straightforward. It cost me about $40 (+ an extra $18 I paid for travel insurance) for a single entry visa, and the application took six working days to be processed.

Nigerian in South Korea

In addition to the post linked above, I have shared a more detailed article about my visa application process, the documents I submitted, and a no-frills checklist for first-time visitors to South Korea on my BuyMeaCoffee page.

Flights from Nigeria to South Korea

I flew with Qatar Airways from Nairobi to Seoul via Doha, and I also think it is one of the best options to fly from Lagos. I found them the cheapest and relatively shortest way to get to Seoul from Nairobi.

Travel Safety and Insurance

Part of the requirements to apply for a visa from Kenya or Nigeria to South Korea is travel insurance, covering the duration of your trip. I got my insurance for $18 from SafetyWing. Getting it was swift (less than 15 minutes after payment), and SafetyWing issues a letter stating what is covered.

Oaxaca Centro Colourful buildings

stay safe while you travel

Protect yourself from the unexpected while you travel by purchasing insurance coverage. I use SafetyWing, which is affordable and covers several travel-related risks, such as unexpected illness or injury, eligible hospital expenses, lost luggage and more. Click here to purchase a cover for your travel and visa application needs.

Booking Accommodations & Activities

For accommodation, I booked all my stays via booking.com. As usual, I will be reviewing each place in a separate post. All my hotels were excellent and had great service, but the highlight of my visit was in Namwon, where I got to stay in a hotel built like a traditional hanok accommodation.

As for other activities, I pre-booked a hanbok in Seoul and got a SIM card (picked up at the airport) from the Klook website. Then I bought my train ticket from Busan to Seoul on the Korail Website before leaving Kenya. The rest of my expenses were made in the country.

‎Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Busan

Nigerian in South Korea – Travelling as a Black Solo Female Tourist

For some reason, I was apprehensive about visiting South Korea as a black solo female traveller. I am happy to report that I had nothing to worry about! Travelling solo in South Korea, right from border entry to exit, was a delightful experience!

My experience was overwhelmingly positive and surpassed all expectations I had. I felt safe at all times, connected with excellent travellers, and got help from locals when needed. I also did not struggle too much with the language barrier.

Nigerian in South Korea – Navigating the Language Difference

To manage this, I started learning Korean months before my trip. Even though I can hardly string up a complete sentence, I learned a few keywords. This helped enrich my experience in the country to a certain extent.

I also downloaded Papago, a language translation app, and a few other apps to help with translations and the navigation of the transportation network. I’ll share more about these apps in upcoming posts.

Greem Cafe Seoul 2D cafe in Seoul

In the meantime, if you want to learn a bit of the Korean language or at least be able to recognize the letters, then I recommend Duolingo, lessons on the Talk to Me in Korean site, and Korean dramas (Kdramas) to start with. And yes, watching Kdramas can also help you get familiar with the Korean language.

In this post, I have highlighted some of my favourite Kdramas (for rom-com lovers like me). Check it out for a sweet introduction to the world of Kdrama!

There are formal (polite) and informal ways of speaking in Korea. When in doubt, it is better to stick with the polite versions. Here are some helpful words and phrases to learn before your trip.

EnglishHangulPronunciation
Hello안녕하세요an-nyeong-ha-se-yo
Please물 주세요ju-sey-yo
Thank you감사합니다gam-sah-ham-ni-da
Excuse Me실례합니다sill-ye-ham-nida
Sorry죄송합니다jo-song-ham-ni-da
Yesne
No아니요a-ni-yo
Goodbye안녕히 계세요an-nyeon-ghi gye-se-yo
Gyeongbokgung Palace Seoul Hanbok on Black Girl

South Korea Travel Resources

Getting a visa to South Korea

Solo Tripping in South Korea – The Beginning

A simple travel checklist for first-time visitors

Buy a SIM card online and pick it up at the airport or get an eSIM here.

Rent your Hanbok online

Hanok Stay Experience in Namwon

Overall, my visit to South Korea was delightful. In the coming weeks, I will share more about my time travelling as a Nigerian in South Korea. I hope you stick around!

What would you like to know about South Korea and my trip? Please leave your comments in the comment section below, and I’ll be sure to include details in the coming posts…

12 comments

  1. As a big kdrama lover, I S.K is definitely on my travel list and I can’t wait to visit. Also, loved this post,

  2. You are such a pacesetter! I’m definitely visiting the continent next year, just not sure which country shall be first

    1. 2023 is definitely the year for Asia over here as well! On my list are Singapore, Malaysia and Japan. I hope our travel dreams come true 🙂

  3. I love love this post, Amarachi! I’m so happy you got to experience the beauty of South Korea. I can’t wait to read all of your stories. 🥳❤️

    1. I know right?! It was a truly wonderful experience. The days flew by quickly but were well spent! I’ll be sharing more in the coming weeks!

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

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Guess where! 👀
Guess where! 👀
20 hours ago
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1/9
Let me be honest, that tripod was never going to see the light of day! 🤭
Let me be honest, that tripod was never going to see the light of day! 🤭
2 days ago
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2/9
What a beautiful city! 😍

#kamoriver #kyoto #japan
What a beautiful city! 😍 #kamoriver #kyoto #japan
3 days ago
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3/9
Clear views of Mount Fuji, a beautiful lake and swans... what more could I possibly ask for? 🥰
_____________________

If you visit the area, here are some places you'll find the swans + a perfect view of Mount Fuji 🏔🦢

📌 Hirano Beach 白鳥浜: There's an elderly gentleman who comes to feed the swans from around 8:30am to 4pm, so you're likely to see flocks of swans here
📌 In front of Koyu Club Hotel (コーユー倶楽部山中湖畔サロン)
📌 A little further down the road from the last location is a dock where you can also rent swan boats.

For clear views of Mount Fuji, winter, spring and autumn have the most days with clear visibility. You can always look up the weather forecast to see what the day's going to be like before you visit. 

Early mornings and evenings give you the best chance of seeing the gorgeous mountain without any cloud coverings 🤍 On this particular day, Mount Fuji was clearly visible throughout the day!

#lakeyamanaka #fujifivelakes #swanlake #japan
Clear views of Mount Fuji, a beautiful lake and swans... what more could I possibly ask for? 🥰 _____________________ If you visit the area, here are some places you'll find the swans + a perfect view of Mount Fuji 🏔🦢 📌 Hirano Beach 白鳥浜: There's an elderly gentleman who comes to feed the swans from around 8:30am to 4pm, so you're likely to see flocks of swans here 📌 In front of Koyu Club Hotel (コーユー倶楽部山中湖畔サロン) 📌 A little further down the road from the last location is a dock where you can also rent swan boats. For clear views of Mount Fuji, winter, spring and autumn have the most days with clear visibility. You can always look up the weather forecast to see what the day's going to be like before you visit. Early mornings and evenings give you the best chance of seeing the gorgeous mountain without any cloud coverings 🤍 On this particular day, Mount Fuji was clearly visible throughout the day! #lakeyamanaka #fujifivelakes #swanlake #japan
4 days ago
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4/9
This town was a beautiful surprise in Japan 😍

To get here, we travelled from Kyoto to Nagoya and from there to Nakatsugawa. From Nakatsugawa Station, we had to take another bus to Magome-Juku but the commute was so worth it!

-------‐‐‐--‐

Magome forms part of the Nakasendo Trail, a historic route that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period in Japan. It traverses the mountainous heart of Japan, offering breathtaking views of forests, rivers, and traditional villages.

The trail is known for its 69 post towns where people would rest along the way. Today, parts of the Nakasendo are well-preserved, allowing hikers to experience a mix of nature and history as they walk through charming old towns like Magome and Tsumago, where time seems to stand still amidst the preserved traditional architecture.

#travelinspiration #japantrip #magome #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
This town was a beautiful surprise in Japan 😍 To get here, we travelled from Kyoto to Nagoya and from there to Nakatsugawa. From Nakatsugawa Station, we had to take another bus to Magome-Juku but the commute was so worth it! -------‐‐‐--‐ Magome forms part of the Nakasendo Trail, a historic route that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period in Japan. It traverses the mountainous heart of Japan, offering breathtaking views of forests, rivers, and traditional villages. The trail is known for its 69 post towns where people would rest along the way. Today, parts of the Nakasendo are well-preserved, allowing hikers to experience a mix of nature and history as they walk through charming old towns like Magome and Tsumago, where time seems to stand still amidst the preserved traditional architecture. #travelinspiration #japantrip #magome #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
6 days ago
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5/9
Black Crow Castle, standing strong since the 1500s — a true Japanese gem!
Black Crow Castle, standing strong since the 1500s — a true Japanese gem!
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Travel Amarachi is VERY different from Home Amarachi! Am I living a fake life?😭😂

Because,my ideal day will start at 10 or 11am and end at 2am. I'm a night owl 🦉, not an early bird 🐦 - a complete opposite of who I become when I travel!

Tea or Coffee? No, thanks! I'll take a glass of orange juice please! 🍹 But "Travel-Amarachi" will take that matcha 🍵, with the beautiful cafe to matcha! See what I did there? 😉 #thefunniestgirlinNigeria #MFGN👑

I only hike for love ❤️ and my Love can faint if he goes on a trip that doesn't include any bit of hiking. So here we are!

+1: I am also a big home buddy. If you catch me outside, I must really love you! But Travel-Amarachi can't stay put in the hotel!
_____________________________

Over to you! What are some ways travel-you differs from home-you? Let me know in the comment section below!

#travelinspiration #japantrip #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
Travel Amarachi is VERY different from Home Amarachi! Am I living a fake life?😭😂 Because,my ideal day will start at 10 or 11am and end at 2am. I'm a night owl 🦉, not an early bird 🐦 - a complete opposite of who I become when I travel! Tea or Coffee? No, thanks! I'll take a glass of orange juice please! 🍹 But "Travel-Amarachi" will take that matcha 🍵, with the beautiful cafe to matcha! See what I did there? 😉 #thefunniestgirlinNigeria #MFGN👑 I only hike for love ❤️ and my Love can faint if he goes on a trip that doesn't include any bit of hiking. So here we are! +1: I am also a big home buddy. If you catch me outside, I must really love you! But Travel-Amarachi can't stay put in the hotel! _____________________________ Over to you! What are some ways travel-you differs from home-you? Let me know in the comment section below! #travelinspiration #japantrip #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
An absolutely wonderful time in the most stunning country! 😍😍

#japantrip2025🇯🇵🌸⛩️
An absolutely wonderful time in the most stunning country! 😍😍 #japantrip2025🇯🇵🌸⛩️
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Public holidays should be your best friend if you work full time and love to travel. Eid and Easter fall between the months of March and June.

If you plan out your vacation time properly, you can:

🌸: get 24 vacation days ✈️ by taking only 12 days off! 🤯. Perfect for your Asian odyssey or West African road trip from Nigeria to Cote D'Ivoire 🚌

You can also split this time, taking shorter breaks in addition to the public holidays.

Take 12 days off from March 31 to April 21 to get 24 vacation days (including weekend and public holidays)! 😀 

Mar 31 - Apr 01: Likely Eid Al Fitr
Apr 18 - Apr 21: Easter

Send this post to your manager immediately! 🚀
Public holidays should be your best friend if you work full time and love to travel. Eid and Easter fall between the months of March and June. If you plan out your vacation time properly, you can: 🌸: get 24 vacation days ✈️ by taking only 12 days off! 🤯. Perfect for your Asian odyssey or West African road trip from Nigeria to Cote D'Ivoire 🚌 You can also split this time, taking shorter breaks in addition to the public holidays. Take 12 days off from March 31 to April 21 to get 24 vacation days (including weekend and public holidays)! 😀 Mar 31 - Apr 01: Likely Eid Al Fitr Apr 18 - Apr 21: Easter Send this post to your manager immediately! 🚀
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
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