Rediscovering Our Own Continent
Travel has always been a passion of mine — not just for sightseeing, but for connecting with people, cultures, and, let’s be honest, food. But a few years ago, something hit me: despite being born and raised in Nigeria, I barely knew my own country. I had visited cities abroad, experienced life in other nations, yet I knew very little about Nigeria beyond the states I had lived and worked in.
So in 2017, I made a decision — I was going to explore Nigeria intentionally. I traveled across the country: from the south to the far north, from Edo to Sokoto, Kebbi, and Kano. Some of those trips were long and rough, but they completely changed my perspective. I began to see beauty, hospitality, culture, and resilience I never knew existed. I started seeing Nigeria not through the lens of news reports, but with my own eyes — and it deepened my appreciation for home.
That experience stirred something deeper: if I knew so little about Nigeria, how much less did I know about Africa as a whole? And so, the journey continued.
Why We Should Travel Africa
Too often, when Africans think about travel, we think outside the continent: Dubai, the UK, the U.S. But what about Africa? Many of us haven’t even scratched the surface of our neighboring countries. We’re often discouraged by negative news or travel logistics, but there’s so much more to Africa than what makes headlines.
Take my recent trip to Cameroon — it was nothing short of magical. From the vibrant energy of Douala, to the calm coolness of Yaoundé, to the breathtaking beauty of Limbe — a coastal town where the sea breeze meets fresh seafood and warm-hearted people. Even with a language barrier (French is widely spoken there), I felt welcomed and deeply connected.
Africa is rich. Rich in culture, stories, landscapes, and people. And yet, we rarely experience it for ourselves.
It’s time to change that. As Africans, we should make it a priority to travel within Africa — to understand our shared heritage, to support local economies, and to shift the narrative about who we are and what our continent truly offers. It’s not always easy — flight routes and costs can be discouraging — but it’s worth pushing for. We need our aviation and transport sectors to do better, to make African travel more accessible.
I still dream of visiting Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, and more. I’ve seen just a few corners of this beautiful continent, and I know there’s so much more waiting to be explored.
Let’s make it a mission: Let’s see Africa — not just with curiosity, but with pride, love, and the openness to rediscover home.
It’s not always easy — but Africa is worth discovering for yourself.
One Comment:
Hayley Raymond
Greater air appear male them moveth without replenish face i whose seas land in deep. Abundantly after brought firmament. Behold created two earth above isn\’t, doesn\’t face.