Our nomad of the week today is Kunbi. Kunbi is an adventurous Nigerian based outside Nigeria. She loves to travel and explore new places. Her love for adventures has made her visit over 60 countries. She recently completed a 6-country tour in West Africa. So far, Kunbi has visited 66 countries.
You can follow all her adventures on Facebook,Instagramand on her blog.
WHEN GOING ON VACATION, WHAT DETERMINES YOUR DESTINATION OF CHOICE?
I typically have a region/continent I am obsessed with, so I try to travel to those countries first. It should to be Latin America for a few years until I visited all countries in Central & South America. Now, I am obsessed with West Africa. Sometimes, I am motivated by price of ticket. For instance, I visited Iceland because the flight was USD$180.
WHAT ARE THE THINGS YOU CAN’T DO WITHOUT WHEN YOU TRAVEL?
A book and Sarong. I love to read so I always have a book with me. Sarong serves different purposes. It can be used as a towel, scarf, light blanket, wrap and so on.
WHAT TRIGGERED YOU TO TAKE UP TRAVELLING?
I don’t really know to be honest. I just know that since my travel to Guatemala in 2008, travel has been a passion.
HOW DO YOU COPE WITH TRAVELING AND YOUR WORK?
I work in a school setting so my traveling happens when school is on break. I travel during summer break, thanksgiving and winter breaks.
AS A TRAVEL ADDICT, HOW DO YOU FEEL WHENEVER YOU ARE NOT TRAVELING?
Hmm, I’ve set up my schedule in a way that a trip is always booked so that way I can always look forward to somewhere.
HOW MANY COUNTRIES HAVE YOU VISITED SO FAR?
66
WHAT’S THE MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT TRAVELING?
The feeling of being somewhere that you don’t know anybody and they don’t know you, but you can still connect with them.
WHERE IS YOUR BEST TRAVEL DESTINATION SO FAR?
O, tough one. I don’t have one destination that I would consider my best. Countries such as Colombia, Guatemala, Kenya, Dominica and Nigeria off course have a special spot in my heart. My goddaughters and best friend are from Colombia. My favorite café is in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. I was a Kenyan in my past life. Dominica – waterfalls and rum galore. And Nigeria has my soul.
WHAT’S THE MOST MEMORABLE THING YOU HAVE DONE ON A VACATION?
Another tough question. I have done several memorable things on my travels. From hiking 16+ miles in the Braso Seco forest in Trinidad and Tobago to chasing waterfalls in Benin-Togo-Ghana to sleeping on the streets of New York City. SO, that wasn’t planned. We got locked out of the hostel, the phone went unanswered and we didn’t have a key so we (a friend & I) slept on the steps of the hotels!!
YOU ARE ON A 6-COUNTRY ADVENTURE. WHAT IS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND IT?
Summer break is when I visit multiple countries at a time. The past two years, I have reduced the amount of countries I travel to in the summer because I am saving towards other financial stuffs. West Africa is now an obsession for me so I decided to come home and use it as an opportunity to explore neighboring countries.
WHAT ARE THE 6 COUNTRIES YOU CHOSE AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THEM?
The first country on the 6-country adventure was Egypt. I flew Egypt Air and extended my layover. Next Benin, then Togo & Ghana with two friends. I continued solo to Sao Tome & Principe and ended in Nigeria. I have visited Benin, Togo & Ghana before but only the big cities. I wanted to explore other parts of those countries and see waterfalls.
WHAT NEW THING DID YOU LEARN FROM THE 5 COUNTRIES YOU HAVE VISITED?
They all have sobo. It’s called something else. Also they have Boli in Sao Tome and Ewedu in Egypt. I like food, in case you haven’t noticed lol!
WHERE IS YOUR NEXT STOP ON THIS ADVENTURE?
I’m actually in the last country and city of this adventure. I will go back to work in 11 days.
HOTEL OR HOSTELS?
I used to stay in hostels and use couchsurfing a lot in my early and mid 20s. Now, I rarely stay at hostels, if I do then it’s a private room. I usually use Airbnb and mix it up with hotels, guesthouses and small hotels.
SOLO OR GROUP TRAVEL?
Solo travel is my preferred mode of travel. I totally enjoy my freedom plus it gives one an opportunity to explore further.
WHAT 3 DESTINATIONS CAN YOU RECOMMEND FOR A FEMALE TRAVELER?
Honestly, I would recommend all 64 countries I’ve been to. Why limit yourself? If a country experience a higher dose of female harassment, hire a guide.
AVID TRAVELLERS HAVE BUCKET LIST. DO YOU HAVE ONE AND WHATS ON YOUR LIST?
Bucket list:
- Visit all waterfalls in the world
- Visit all 54 countries in Africa – currently on 16/54
- Visit all 7 continents. I have one left
- Visit Solomon Island
- Visit all Caribbean countries – 10/28 completed
- Visit all 36 states in Nigeria – 8/36 completed
- Visit Papau New Guinea – done
- Visit all countries in Central & South America – done
I will probably make up some as I go.
WHAT’S YOUR DREAM DESTINATION?
Solomon Island. Senegal. Kenya. Papau New Guinea
I have only Solomon Island left to visit
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TRAVEL QUOTE?
Not really a travel quote but it can be applied to travel.
“Never walk into an environment and assume that you understand better than the people who live there” – Koffi Annan
ADVICE FOR THE NOMAD FAMILY?
Don’t take travel advise from people who don’t travel or people who haven’t been to the particular country you are visiting. Just go!
What adventure have you embarked on or about to embark on? Share your story with us today!
