
“Life is the consequence of the decisions we make. Choose wisely!”
Writer, entrepreneur, travel influencer and nomad, Jessica Nabongo, has traveled to more than 100 countries and territories across six continents. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan to Ugandan immigrants, Jessica remembers daydreams of foreign lands and a life of wander after her first international trip to London and Uganda at the age of six. Today, Jessica travels the world and is passionate about sharing her experiences in countries that have typically low rates of tourism.
Where I've Been
Destinations
North America
- Canada
- Mexico
- United States
The Caribbean
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas, The
- Barbados
- Cayman Islands
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin/Sint Maarten
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Central America
- Belize
- Costa Rica
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Panama
Europe
- Albania
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- England
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Malta
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands, The
- Northern Ireland
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- Vatican City
Africa
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burundi
- Comoros
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Gambia, The
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Swaziland
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
South America
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Guyana
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Suriname
- Uruguay
The Middle East
- Bahrain
- Cyprus
- Israel
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Oman
- Palestine
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
Asia
- Afghanistan
- Armenia
- Bangladesh
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- China
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Nepal
- North Korea
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Sri Lanka
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Uzbeksitan
- Vietnam
Oceania
- Australia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Nauru
- Papua New Guinea
- Solomon Islands
News
Featured

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The Ultimate Travel Holiday Gift Guide
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My Journey to All of the Countries in the World
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Hello Jessica Nabongo,
I came across your article from a post my Nigerian friend posted on Facebook, and I was instantly hooked to your adventures, ambitions, achievements and your passion for travel. I myself am a Ugandan living in Toronto, Canada at the moment and am in the process of getting my Canadian citizenship.
I was born in Uganda, Mbarara to be exact, and when I was 3 years old, my mother who was unable to support me and provide me the future she wanted for me, met a wonderful dutch family, working as doctors in Uganda at the time. They took me into their family, of which they already had two wonderful daughters. Their daughters, like me, were also born in Africa. I moved away to get the future my mother so dearly wanted, to go and get a better education with the support and guardianship of my dutch foster family.
My dutch family loved to travel, and of course having a foster daughter with a Ugandan passport, travel was an expensive hobby of course, but they sure did make it happen. The amount of visas I needed in my passports, and the numerous trips I had to take to belgium or any consulate/embassy, just to get approval that I was able to enter a country for a holiday with my family, has always made me consider what life would be like if that was not a barrier.
So, I moved to Canada, and have now been living here for almost 10 years, hoping to submit my Canadian Citizenship next month. I will of course have to wait another 7 months until that is approved and can apply for my Canadian Passport, before I myself can travel and see the world, and countries I never thought I would have had the opportunity of visiting.
Now, with that goal in mind I have landed my dream job working as a destination expert, focusing on Africa. (East Africa, North Africa, and now the Middle East) With my upbringing and growing up in Europe I also have the extensive knowledge of Western Europe and soon will be able to travel to Eastern Europe to finish exploring the world.
Long story short, I am hoping to join you on your travels as 2 Ugandan women, with the same dream and goals, as I know there are many Ugandans/Africans/African American’s/people of color and anyone who has immigrated to Canada, that seeks the same freedom, and travel opportunities that many are restricted of.
With my job, my goal and part of my work is now to travel around the world, and visit countries, cities, and sites, learn new cultures, try new food and befriend the local people. It would be an honor and such a dream if this opportunity can be executed, and I can share similar experiences, and join your journey before it is over.
I do hope to get in touch with you soon, to see how this plan can work and start packing my bags to fly across the world to meet you. Like yourself, I love meeting new people, and many of my lifetime friends have been people I have met during my time living abroad, especially living in such a multicultural city as Toronto.
I look forward to your response.
Regards & happy travels.
Bo Kyogonza (A fellow Ugandan sister)
Xoxoxoxoxo
Hi Bo! Thank you so much for reaching out and for sharing your story. I hope that you are able to get your Canadian passport because it certainly will make a difference. We can certainly talk about traveling together but my schedule is a hectic and brutal one! Do drop me an email.
Lovely to meet you last night in Mustique. I look forward to reading your blog. Come visit us sometime in Canada!
So great meeting you as well! I will definitely let you know when I’m headed that way!
When are you planning to visit Burkina Faso or Cameroon? Let’s connect.
Hi! I do not have concrete plans at the moment but would love any tips or recommendations that you can share!
would love to do what you do… where do I begin?
Hello Victoria,
If your desire is to travel more I would say just buy a plane ticket and go! That is exactly how I started!
Jessica
Hello,
I recently went on my first international trip to the Philippines with a friend and I am ready to plan another trip. The difference is that this will be a solo trip. Can you recommend a country for a beginner solo traveler?
Thanks! By the way my family is from Detroit too.
Hello Jessica
Lovely to see you in all your incarnations but especially as a free black wiman goddess doing what your soul desires for to to do. I travel a lot myself but within the continental US and Canada. I recently have been thinking of putting everything in storage and go abroad again with my camera and sketchbook. As an artist, seeing and experiencing any environment is how l develop my creative ideas. I have read several of your blog posts today and l am thoroughly taken with both your honesty and fearless open mindedness. You are a real inspiration for so many of us travelers of color. I want to get back to Paris and London, but through your eyes, l see there are so many more sacred spaces to explore on Mother Earth. Thank you. What a pleasure to know that we occupy the same sky. Blessings to you and those who are urban aborigines like ourselves know the power of “focus in motion”! Happy travels!
Rene, thank you so much for your kind words. I am humbled to be able to inspire so many. Safe travels!! PS. I think that more people should explore the US and Canada. There are so many gems!
Hey Jessica,
I am glad I am back on your site again after a long time. My name is Julius from Uganda. When do you plan to travel to East Africa? As you may know, Rwanda and Uganda are great destinations in the region as well with lots of activities and fascinating places. I do own a tours company and I can come up with a very nice itinerary based on your interests. I hope to read your response here soon.
Many Thanks
Julius. A
Hello Julius! Thank you for your message. I know all about the beauty of Uganda as I am Ugandan! I have already been to Rwanda as well which I love.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. As a Detroiter I am excited to see you travel the world. What a role model you are to the many young ladies that fear the world as it is and unfortunately are not able to see the world in a different light. It is my mission to create hundreds of young ladies like yourself because with international experiences comes international knowledge which will educate our young women, empower them and allow them unlimited opportunity. The next time you are home in Detroit let’s connect. Let’s make a travel change in our young woman lives. Please reach out soon. Love ❤️ peace and safe travels.
Hello Sanya,
Thank you so much for your kind words!! Good luck on your mission. That is amazing!
Hi Jessica. You are really an inspiration to me .when are you coming to Zambia?
Hello Phenny! Thanks so much!! I have already been to Zambia and I loved it!!
Hello Phenny! Thanks so much!! I have already been to Zambia and I loved it!!