While the first half of my 2024 travels started in Africa, the second half was where Africa truly shone. This leg of my journey included some of the most breathtaking landscapes, immersive cultural experiences, and, of course, my unforgettable birthday trip. Traveling across Southern and West Africa, as well as making stops in North America and the Pacific, was an incredible way to round out the year. Without further ado, here’s the continuation of my 2024 adventures.
Country 11: Mozambique
Mozambique. Wow. Definitely one of my favorite countries in Africa now. I should eventually write a whole blog post about it. I deeply enjoyed every city I visited here, but I especially fell in love with Vilanculos. After the Maldives, this was my favorite diving/snorkeling experience of the year. I’ve never seen so many starfish in my life! Between Bazaruto Island, the scenic waterfront of Maputo, Kruger National Park, and the pristine beaches of Tofo, this country is simply spectacular.
Country 12: Eswatini
Eswatini is a nature lover’s paradise. Truly, the scenery here is EVERYTHING. I honestly wasn’t expecting much from this small country, but it quickly landed on my list of the most underrated destinations. The country boasts some of the best roads I’ve ever driven on, making the journey through its stunning landscapes even more enjoyable. Plus, Swazi culture is so fascinating, as Eswatini remains the last absolute monarchy in Africa. It’s definitely an intriguing place to visit.
Country 13: South Africa
I visited South Africa twice in 2024! The first time, I went solo and stayed mainly around Boksburg for two days, where I ended up doing a community run and eating loads of bunny chow—my favorite South African street food. The second time, I visited with friends at the end of our Victoria Falls trip. That time, we explored Johannesburg. I really enjoyed the Apartheid Museum and the Cradle of Humankind. The only not-so-fun part of the trip was when we mistakenly got stuck in the not-so-safe CBD and struggled to find an Uber willing to rescue us (haha)—but hey, it’s all part of the adventure!
Country 14: Namibia
If Mozambique was my second favorite destination in Africa, it’s because Namibia took the top spot. I honestly cannot say enough great things about this country. My favorite part, of course, was visiting Sossusvlei and climbing the towering Big Daddy Dune, but I also loved Walvis Bay and Sandwich Harbor. And I can’t leave out visiting the Himba tribe, which was one of the most memorable cultural experiences of the year!
Country 15: Zimbabwe
I visited Victoria Falls with two friends from college after our adventures in Namibia. While Zimbabwe wasn’t as exciting as Namibia or Zambia, seeing the falls—the largest waterfall by volume in the world—was still amazing. I especially enjoyed the iconic high tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel and the sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
Country 16: Zambia
If you want to visit Victoria Falls and get the best bang for your buck, definitely choose Zambia. Not only were the views of the waterfall more breathtaking, but all the activities were also more affordable. I really enjoyed my time in Zambia and would love to return to explore more cities like Lusaka. Highlights of my trip included high tea at the Royal Livingstone Hotel, where I stood right beside a zebra, petting lions at a sanctuary, and whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River—one of the best places for whitewater rafting in the world!
Country 17: Botswana
I was only in Botswana for a day on a trip to Chobe National Park, but I absolutely loved it. I saw countless elephants, hippos, and African buffaloes, and I even witnessed a real lion hunt! The peaceful cruise on the Chobe River was also a highlight. When I’ve got a bit more money, I plan to return to visit the Okavango Delta—hehe!
Country 18: USA
I spent the summer in Seattle, which was a huge contrast to the first half of the year. The summer weather in Seattle is amazing, and the waterfront is so divine that I ended up running over six miles every single day. I also got to visit Mount Rainier National Park with friends and attend the Blastfest music festival. It was definitely a summer well spent.
Country 19: Canada
Ironically, I ended up spending July 4th weekend in Canada! A friend and I took a bus from Seattle to Vancouver, where we had a fantastic time trying out different restaurants and cafes. Vancouver’s diverse and cosmopolitan food scene did not disappoint. As an urban enthusiast, I was also super impressed by the city’s efficient train system. The highlight of the trip was our day on Granville Island.
Country 20: Australia
I visited Australia in August as part of my two-week birthday trip—easily my favorite trip of the second half of the year. All my flights were free using points from my Capital One Card. There were so many highlights of this trip, and I’m pretty sure I’ll end up moving to Australia at some point. Some of my favorite experiences included diving in the Great Barrier Reef, seeing kangaroos, wallabies, and Tasmanian devils in Kuranda, and watching Hamilton live in Sydney.
Country 21: Fiji
I arrived in Fiji the day after my birthday, but thanks to the crazy time difference, it was technically still my birthday in the U.S.! I had the best celebration. A couple at my hotel was thrilled when they heard it was my birthday and bought drinks for everyone at our shared table. The night continued with drinking kava, Fiji’s traditional ceremonial drink, and ended with a fire dance and belly dancing show that everyone participated in. I spent five more days in Fiji, hopping between islands and making incredible new friends. I couldn’t have asked for a better solo birthday trip!
Country 22: Cuba
I visited Cuba over Thanksgiving to celebrate a friend’s birthday. I’d heard mixed reviews about Cuba, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I ended up really liking it. While Havana was fantastic, my highlight was the stunning Viñales countryside. Being Spanish speakers, my friend and I managed to finesse a free tour of a tobacco farm while sipping on the most delicious mojitos at sunset. Besides my November in Laos in 2023, this was probably my favorite Thanksgiving holiday trip.
Country 23: Portugal
I had a long layover in Portugal on my way to Senegal, and it was great to revisit Lisbon for the first time since before the pandemic. The city is perfect for a layover—easily accessible by public transportation and very walkable. I spent the day exploring, admiring the beautiful architecture, and indulging in delicious pastries. I wrapped up the day with panoramic city views from various miradouros before heading back to the airport.
Country 24: Senegal
My final country of the year was Senegal, which was particularly special because I was ending 2024 where I had started—in West Africa. The trip was extra meaningful because I was there for a friend’s wedding. My highlight was definitely the food—I could eat Thieboudienne all day, every day. I also visited Goree Island and rang in the New Year in St. Louis with dear friends.
So there you have it…
And just like that, the year came full circle, ending in West Africa where it had begun. 2024 was truly a year of adventure, discovery, and unforgettable experiences. I can’t wait to see where 2025 takes me next! Let me know in the comments if you visited any new places in 2024 and if any of these places are on your list for 2025!
Lets go YINA THE EXPLORER
ML HAHAHAHA