Jessica Nabongo: A Trailblazer in Global Travel
In October, Jessica Nabongo, a 35-year-old Ugandan-American from Detroit, made history as the first documented Black woman to visit every country in the world – encompassing 195 United Nations member countries and observing states.
Throughout her journey, Nabongo documented her adventures – from touring cattle farms in South Sudan to hot air ballooning in Myanmar and relaxing on white sand beaches in Zanzibar – on her popular Instagram page @thecatchmeifyoucan.
However, Nabongo’s well-posed pictures are not intended to evoke envy. Instead, she aims to change the narrative around global travel. Her snapshots and the accompanying stories reveal nuanced perspectives of places that many travelers avoid.
“The key lesson for me, on this journey, has been that most people are good,” Nabongo said. “In the US, we’re groomed to be afraid of strangers. I don’t think of the world in that way.”
Moreover, she has openly discussed letting go of the burden of fear and being a good neighbor in the world. In her journey, Nabongo has highlighted issues such as the lack of diversity and representation in travel media, what it’s like to travel as a woman of color, and environmental concerns like single-use plastics.
Changing the Traveler Rhetoric
Nabongo has also confronted the myth that solo female travelers inherently place themselves at risk. Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia are just a few of the 89 countries she has traveled to alone.
“People would ask, ‘Which countries are you afraid to visit?’” Nabongo recalled. “I’d tell them ‘None.’”
When venturing into new countries, she often connects with locals beforehand. This proactive approach ensures she stays informed about customs and safety. Some connections are made through Google, while others stem from her extensive social media network.
Interestingly, Nabongo expressed that the places where she felt the least secure were often highlighted in mainstream media – such as Miami, Rome, and Paris. This contrast offers vital insights into the perception of safety and the realities experienced by travelers of color.
Of the twelve countries deemed by the US State Department as “Level 4: Do Not Travel,” Nabongo visited ten alone. She recounted a warning she received from an embassy employee regarding South Sudan: “don’t come, it’s not worth risking your life.” Yet, her experience in South Sudan was surprisingly positive, challenging the misconceptions often associated with the region.
Nabongo’s background enriches her travel perspective. With a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and experience at the United Nations, she sheds light on the often political nature of travel warnings and the implicit biases within them.
“The warnings will say you’ll stand out, but that doesn’t include people of color,” Nabongo stated. “We must shift our understanding of what constitutes a tourist.”
Nabongo shared her belief that travelers have a responsibility to tell the stories of the places they visit with dignity and respect. She actively avoids the rhetoric that objectifies nations as “exotic,” emphasizing the importance of seeing people as fellow human beings rather than “others.”
Her roots in Uganda give her a unique perspective on privilege and opportunity. She advocates for a more equal global view, acknowledging the chance of privilege in birth rather than seeking separation based on socioeconomic status.
Furthermore, she encourages her followers to put down their cameras and engage with their surroundings, fostering a deeper understanding of everyday life in various cultures.
How to Visit Every Country in the World
In the last three years, Nabongo has visited 135 countries for the first time. The logistics involved in achieving this feat presented substantial challenges.
“Planning was a nightmare,” she admitted. “The world isn’t set up for someone to visit every country.”
The more remote island nations in the Pacific region were particularly difficult due to limited flight availability and tourist infrastructure. However, the experience became transformative for her as she engaged with various cultures and peoples.
Nabongo noted how her stories resonated with many who had left Venezuela, offering them perspectives of their homeland that differed from the prevailing violent narratives. The support she received through social media demonstrated the power of representation and storytelling in travel.
As her following grew, so did the encouragement to continue sharing her journey. When she faced financial challenges, a GoFundMe initiative launched at a friend’s suggestion blossomed into a successful campaign, raising $28,000.
For her final country, Nabongo chose an African destination that would be significant to her mission. Although she initially considered Zanzibar, she ultimately decided on the Seychelles due to its allure for her friends and family.
What’s Next?
Now that she has achieved her landmark goal, Nabongo remains committed to traveling extensively. As she settles for brief periods, her plans include revisiting four of her favorite destinations, including Jordan, Latvia, Colombia, and Kenya.
With a flexible lifestyle she carefully crafted, she anticipates continuing her adventures, securing her legacy in the travel narrative.
