Why we need to talk about travelling solo as a Black woman

There is something indescribable about spotting another Black person in the middle of a crowd, whether at home or abroad. Without saying a word, they just get you. You can walk towards each other knowing that the love is mutual, and this is likely the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Where Black women are celebrated is where we become free. So I redirected my attention towards destinations where I feel valued. Although general safety narratives overlook our experiences, it quickly became liberating to find out that I can visit places deemed ‘dangerous’ by mainstream media. From the moment my feet touch the ground in any corner of Africa, the Caribbean, or numerous locations in South America, I essentially become extended family – that’s what the African diaspora is at the end of the day.

Vivienne with a Maasai villagers in Southern Kenya

And as for the spaces where we often feel excluded? I quickly realised that Black people have been partaking in these areas for just as long. Whether it’s the active surfing communities in Dakar, Senegal, or the multitude of adventurous activities awaiting in Jinja, known as the adventure capital of Uganda, or the fine dining restaurants and beach clubs ingrained in the lifestyle of Lagos, Nigeria, Black communities are thriving in the activities that we are often sidelined from in the West.

As a Black woman, solo travel to countries within the African diaspora is paramount. It reminds me that my journey is bigger than me. Living unapologetically on my terms is for the Black women who couldn’t pursue similar opportunities before me, and for the generations to come who will no longer struggle to find information. Our joy and self-discovery will continue to be acts of resistance in a world that too often overlooks our worth, so we deserve to be selfish. But most importantly, solo travel reminds me of the global community that Black women are a part of and welcomes us with open arms every time.