The final 25

The final 25

The ‘road to 197’ project is nearing its final stretch. Over the past decade, I’ve visited 172 countries (although the actual number is slightly lower since I had already been to some before starting this project). Now, it’s time for the last 25 countries.

Jogi Löw, the former soccer coach who led Germany to victory in the 2014 World Cup, once said, “A good start requires enthusiasm, a good finish requires discipline.” This sentiment often rings true. The last 25% of this journey is the hardest, and I can say that I am looking forward to the finish line.

But before I get there, these are the final 25:

Europe (1/47):

• Iceland

Asia (5/47):

• Bhutan
• Maldives
• Myanmar
• Timor-Leste
• Yemen

North America (5/23):

• Cuba
• Grenada
• Dominica
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines

South America (1/12):

• Venezuela

Africa (9/54):

• Burkina Faso
• Chad
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Gabon
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Mauritius
• Niger
• Republic of the Congo

Oceania (4/14):

• Federal States of Micronesia
• Kiribati
• Marshall Islands
• Nauru

The good news first: all of these countries are open to tourists. Some may be a bit tricky (Yemen, Mali or Niger), but they are currently doable. Not like North Korea or Sudan, for example, where it is currently impossible to go as a tourist. That doesn’t mean it has to stay that way, as some of these countries are still crisis areas where a major war could break out quickly. But things are looking good right now.

Not surprisingly, a large proportion of the final 25 are in Africa, although the proportion could well be higher. I started relatively early with the African countries, which was definitely a good decision. Three more trips are needed to visit the final nine. One to West Africa, one to Central Africa, and one to the Southeast, when I tick off Madagascar and Mauritius.

There are also some real gems among the final 25 countries. Countries that other travelers sometimes list as favorites, like Cuba, Iceland, Myanmar, or Madagascar. And tropical island paradises such as Maldives, Mauritius, or Caribbean countries like Dominica or St. Lucia. So it’s not as if there are only unpopular destinations left.

Obviously, not all of the final 25 countries inspire the same euphoria in me. My motivation for the last countries in the Pacific, on the other side of the world, is probably as low as my motivation for traveling to West or Central Africa for the umpteenth time. Nevertheless, I will see this project through to the bitter end. The time should finally come in 2025.

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Click here to find the trip reports of the 170+ other countries I have visited so far!