My 2021 Wish List: 10 Places I Hope to Visit

Welcome again to 2021! Honestly, I’m not sure why I am writing a travel wishlist this year considering the fact that a few countries have already begun putting another phase of lockdown in place. Yes, the pandemic is not yet over even though life seems to be returning to normal in certain places.

Here in Nairobi, Kenya, ‘normal’ for me is continuing to work from home, a 10 pm curfew and wearing a mask everywhere I go but at least I can still ‘go’ and I’m very grateful for that. Even though the prospects of travel in 2021 aren’t looking too bright at the moment, I’ve decided to put on my super optimistic hat and write my travel wishlist anyway.

San Francisco to Monterey Drive
This is my super-optimistic hat!

As I mentioned in my 2019 travel wishlist post, I believe in writing down the vision. Ultimately, I believe there’s a ‘luck’ element involved but it’s been amazing looking back at old lists and seeing how many items have been achieved. Some of them, with minimal effort from me.

When I think about how the opportunities that led me to Mark, got me to work in Cairo for 3 months and move to Nairobi, I think about a quote by Paulo Coelho in the Alchemist and I write my life and travel wish lists, do my best to work towards achieving my goals and pray that the universe conspires in helping me do so.

'And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.' — Paulo Coelho Share on X

All this to say, here are the places I hope to visit in 2021. Or 2022, I’m flexible, universe! 🙂

My Travel Wishlist: 10 Places I Hope to Visit in Kenya

It’s been very exciting living in another country for the past few months. Kenya is gorgeous and there are so many places I’m hoping to visit during our time here. We have already begun ticking off some items on our Kenya Living List, visiting the Masai Mara, a few places in Nairobi (like the Giraffe Centre, Karura Forest, Nairobi Arboretum, amongst others), Naivasha and the coast.

Feeding Giraffes in Nairobi

This year, Mark and I hope to venture out of the city more. I have begun planning for that by signing up for 2 hiking tours with Winnie of Justrioba.com and working with Aina of Ainadadablog to plan out trips to the coast. I’m also excited to explore more places with Mark and our friends here in Nairobi.

These are 10 places I hope to visit this year and I already ticked off place number 6! Be sure to look out for the post on this hike.

  1. Ngare Ndare Forest – March 2021
  2. Kilifi – March 2022
  3. Diani – January 2021
  4. Mombasa – January 2021
  5. Lamu – May 2021
  6. Mount Longonot – January 2021
  7. Champagne Ridge – February 2022
  8. Ngong Hills – May 2021
  9. Kenton & Nathan Hills – May 2021
  10. Sleeping Warrior – February 2021
Travel Wishlist Mount Longonot
Mount Longonot Aerial View by the Kenya Wildlife Service

My Travel Wishlist: 10 Places I Hope to Visit Internationally

I don’t know how feasible international travel will be this year. One thing I know though is that I don’t want to undergo more COVID-19 tests than necessary. My first and only one was so painful, the memory still haunts and hurts me to this day.

Having said that, let us pretend everything is back to normal. In a perfect, covid-free 2021, these are some of the countries I would love to visit internationally;

Merzouga
  1. Rwanda – August 2022
  2. Uganda (If I do the Kenya-Rwanda-Uganda trip, I would finally be able to kick off another item off my Living List)
  3. Zimbabwe
  4. Zambia
  5. Seychelles – May 2022
  6. Senegal
  7. Turkey – September 2021
  8. Nigeria – October 2021
  9. West African Road Trip to Ivory Coast
  10. Namibia

Some of these countries appeared on my 2019 travel wishlist. so, Universe, please take this into consideration as you conspire to help me visit these places!

Enough of my list, I would love to read about yours. What places would you love to visit if budget, time and restrictions surrounding the pandemic allow? Please share them with me in the comment section below!

11 comments

  1. After seeing your list of places to visit in Kenya, we want to move there too 🙂 Our plans are mostly limited to nearby countries, chiefly the Balkan region, perhaps Italy in summer. Though we are dreaming of otherworldly Namibian landscapes and of Jordan. Travel is so stressful during this time that we really prefer to lay low and wait.
    p.s. Why was your pcr test so traumatic?

    1. Kenya is a beautiful country with lots of sights to see, I’m sure you’ll love it! 🙂 Italy in the summer also sounds delightful! Hopefully, we defeat this pandemic and life and travel return to normal this year.

      About my PCR test: argh! It was the nasal swab that caused me the most pain and resulted in a headache that lasted 2 days!

  2. Mombasa seems nice. Many people touring Kenya have a stay there… I also like the idea of touring Uganda but I think it’s best after the political tensions are quelled and internet’s reopened

    Happy New Year Amarachi!!! You truly love Nigeria to have it on your list.

    1. Happy New Year, Eromonsele! Following the news in Uganda. It’s such a shame what’s happening there. We really need to get things together on this continent!

  3. Won’t I move to Kenya like this? So many choices!

    So my 2021 list

    Nigeria
    1. Abuja
    2. Kaduna
    3. Kano
    4. Jos

    Worldwide
    1. Senegal
    2. Gambia
    3. Cape Verde
    4. United Kingdom

    I still haven’t had to do a covid test yet and I’m hoping I don’t, so please covid go away.

    1. Great list! I’d love to do a Northern Nigerian tour as well and a Sene-Gambia + Cape Verde trip sounds wonderful!

  4. I will love to visit all of Ghana’s neighbours; Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and the epic Ghana – Togo – Benin – Nigeria one day

    1. Nice. Will be looking forward to hearing all about the trip when you eventually take it. The West African road trip is crazy and wonderful. You’ll have lots of exciting stories to tell.

  5. Every country in the 🌎 world is on my bucket list ☺…If I’m to choose next ten countries I’m itiching to visit if there is no restriction of time,budget, pandemic etc. They will be: United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Paris, Maldives, Belarus, Cuba,Ghana,Turkey,Morocco

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

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Details on www.travelwithapen.com this coming Tuesday 💙
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Details on www.travelwithapen.com this coming Tuesday 💙
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4 days ago
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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!
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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 🐶
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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! ✨️
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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!
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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!
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The Kenyan Coast is always a good idea! 😍 Can't wait to return!
The Kenyan Coast is always a good idea! 😍 Can't wait to return!
The Kenyan Coast is always a good idea! 😍 Can't wait to return!
The Kenyan Coast is always a good idea! 😍 Can't wait to return!
The Kenyan Coast is always a good idea! 😍 Can't wait to return!
The Kenyan Coast is always a good idea! 😍 Can't wait to return!
The Kenyan Coast is always a good idea! 😍 Can't wait to return!
The Kenyan Coast is always a good idea! 😍 Can't wait to return!
The Kenyan Coast is always a good idea! 😍 Can't wait to return!
The Kenyan Coast is always a good idea! 😍 Can't wait to return!
The Kenyan Coast is always a good idea! 😍 Can't wait to return!
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The Kenyan Coast is always a good idea! 😍 Can't wait to return!
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48 hours in Amboseli and I've never felt more rested!

👉🏽 Save this spot for your next weekend escape! 🇰🇪🐘✨️

📍Tawi Lodge, Amboseli
48 hours in Amboseli and I've never felt more rested! 👉🏽 Save this spot for your next weekend escape! 🇰🇪🐘✨️ 📍Tawi Lodge, Amboseli
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𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡? Why not?! Without the crowds? Absolutely! 🌸🌱⁣
⁣
I've now been to Japan in 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 – the Hakone Torii is from my fall trip – and I’ve had amazing crowd-free experiences in both seasons! 🍂🌸⁣
⁣
Yes, I woke up early to visit some places, but I also found places that were calm even in the middle of the day, including in cities like Shizuoka and Nagoya, not just rural Japan. 👀⁣
⁣
✨ Here are my go-to tips to explore Japan without the crowds:⁣
---⁣
⁣
1. 🐦 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 (𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞!)⁣
Mornings and evenings are your best friend. Cooler, quieter, and often more beautiful.⁣
⁣
2. 🏨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭⁣
Instead of day-tripping, book a stay. I did this in Hakone and around Fuji. Result? No lines. No crowds. Pure magic! 🌤✨️⁣
⁣
3. 🚆 𝐆𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐤𝐲𝐨, 𝐊𝐲𝐨𝐭𝐨 & 𝐎𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐚⁣
They’re iconic, yes and you should certainly visit. But if you're looking for places with fewer people, you need to venture outside these cities.⁣
⁣
4. 🛕 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐩 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 ⁣
I haven't been to Kinkaku-ji Temple yet. Why? It opens 'late' and is often packed. I think I'll get to it one day though 🥰⁣
⁣
5. ❄️ 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐭? 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫
An underrated time to visit, so you can expect fewer people.⁣
⁣
6. 🚴‍♀️ 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞⁣
Hike the Kumano Kodo, walk the Nakasendo Trail, or cycle the Shimanami Kaido. It’s serenity + scenery 💯⁣
---⁣
⁣
📍Save this for your trip planning⁣
📸 Share with someone dreaming of Japan⁣
👇🏾Got questions? Drop them in the comments!⁣
⁣
Happy travels 🇯🇵✨
𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡? Why not?! Without the crowds? Absolutely! 🌸🌱⁣ ⁣ I've now been to Japan in 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 – the Hakone Torii is from my fall trip – and I’ve had amazing crowd-free experiences in both seasons! 🍂🌸⁣ ⁣ Yes, I woke up early to visit some places, but I also found places that were calm even in the middle of the day, including in cities like Shizuoka and Nagoya, not just rural Japan. 👀⁣ ⁣ ✨ Here are my go-to tips to explore Japan without the crowds:⁣ ---⁣ ⁣ 1. 🐦 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 (𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞!)⁣ Mornings and evenings are your best friend. Cooler, quieter, and often more beautiful.⁣ ⁣ 2. 🏨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭⁣ Instead of day-tripping, book a stay. I did this in Hakone and around Fuji. Result? No lines. No crowds. Pure magic! 🌤✨️⁣ ⁣ 3. 🚆 𝐆𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐤𝐲𝐨, 𝐊𝐲𝐨𝐭𝐨 & 𝐎𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐚⁣ They’re iconic, yes and you should certainly visit. But if you're looking for places with fewer people, you need to venture outside these cities.⁣ ⁣ 4. 🛕 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐩 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 ⁣ I haven't been to Kinkaku-ji Temple yet. Why? It opens 'late' and is often packed. I think I'll get to it one day though 🥰⁣ ⁣ 5. ❄️ 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐭? 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 An underrated time to visit, so you can expect fewer people.⁣ ⁣ 6. 🚴‍♀️ 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞⁣ Hike the Kumano Kodo, walk the Nakasendo Trail, or cycle the Shimanami Kaido. It’s serenity + scenery 💯⁣ ---⁣ ⁣ 📍Save this for your trip planning⁣ 📸 Share with someone dreaming of Japan⁣ 👇🏾Got questions? Drop them in the comments!⁣ ⁣ Happy travels 🇯🇵✨
3 weeks ago
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9/9
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