As more and more independent travelers create networks, document their travels, and interact with other like-minded adventurers, they are leaving a growing digital trail. Today, there are over 9 million results when searching for #solotravel on Instagram. Valerie Joy Wilson, known online as Trusted Travel Girl, believes that the online community has contributed to some of this growth. Born and raised in New York, United States, Valerie is a solo-female traveler, travel journalist, host, photographer, explorer and entrepreneur who has been a travel enthusiast and experience junkie from a young age. She has also been a go-to travel expert for BBC World News, CNN, Forbes, Conde Nast Traveler, and more. Valerie realized a dream of 10 years when she traveled to Rwanda for the first time in late May to early June. Rwanda has been on my bucket list for 10 years, she told The New Times. I understood that Rwanda's outstanding conservation efforts make it the perfect place for gorilla trekking, which is what I wanted to do. I was aware of the genocide, but I was also aware that Rwanda is the safest and cleanest nation in Africa. But other than that, not much information was available, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Valerie's brand, Trusted Travel Girl, focuses on luxury travel and exploring off the main path, and it encourages women who travel alone. The New Times caught up with the solo travel expert who has over 120,000 Instagram followers, where she shared her experience on her travel adventures in Rwanda and her unexpected itinerary items from discovery of Akabanga pepper to the preparation of banana wine, also known as Urwagwa. Excerpts: What spots would you recommend visiting in Rwanda once one arrives? The BAL was underway when I got to Kigali. I had to go to the games, but before anything else, we went to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which is, in my opinion, the ideal place for visitors traveling to Rwanda because it provides a nice overview of the country's history and demonstrates how much its citizens value one another and their community. I particularly enjoyed visiting Akagera National Park because, as a result of ongoing conservation efforts, it is incredibly distinct from many other African parks. It was fascinating for me to see the elephants while they were in their natural habitat because I had never gone to a safari by boat. The Big Five are found in Akagera, and what makes it unique is that over the past few years, extinct species have been reintroduced. After all of these animals give birth, I can't wait to return and see how the population has expanded. I also visited Volcano National Park and fulfilled my 10-year dream of trekking with gorillas. I highly recommend anyone considering it to just hurry up and come experience it. It was so amazing. Visiting the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund was also fantastic; learning about the conservation efforts that began in the 50s and 60s and seeing how far everything has come was truly inspiring. I know there's going to be so much more to discover because Rwanda excels in conservation like no place else I've ever seen. Aside from that, solo travel promotes personal growth and discovery. Why did the Trusted Travel Girl decide to travel alone? I started solo traveling the world because, at the age of 21, I got sick with Lyme disease, which makes you feel ill after being bitten by a tick. I was bedridden for four or five years and promised myself that if I got better, I would live my life to the fullest. When I started to recover, the doctors warned me that there was a good chance I would relapse, and it would be worse. Fortunately, I never did relapse. During that time, I felt like I didn't have a moment to waste, but none of us really do. We never know what tomorrow brings, so I didn't have time to wait for anyone. People are very fickle, so I just started traveling alone because I wanted to see the world. Everyone thought I was crazy. Ten to 15 years ago, solo female travel was not a thing, and everyone thought I was weird. Thanks to social media, many people like me have inspired others, including other women and men, to travel solo. It brings so much confidence because you're taking on the world by yourself. When you travel alone, you have better, more authentic interactions with locals because you're more open and less closed off to the community around you. Is it necessary to be wealthy to travel, given the common belief that traveling is expensive? No, I wasn't born rich or anything like that. When I started, I worked multiple jobs to make it work while keeping a flexible schedule, and I would search for great deals. The best one I ever found was from LA to Bangkok and Manila back to LA for $250, which is unheard of. I would let discounted flights dictate my travel destinations, as long as they were on my list. Fast forward to now, I work with tourism boards and brands all over the world, promoting tourism to various places. I'm here with Visit Rwanda to help bring US tourism to Rwanda and share all the amazing and exciting things to do and experience here. You've mentioned to your followers that there's something new and unexpected at every turn. What was the most surprising experience you had here? Here, at The Retreat, where we are right now, I started my trip by making banana wine, also known as banana beer—a traditional beverage made by fermenting mashed bananas. The Retreat offers numerous incredible experiences, deeply rooted in the local community and culture, despite its resort setting. They excel in showcasing the authentic Kigali and Rwanda, supporting local artisans, and offering tours that highlight women's contributions. I find this aspect truly remarkable. Making banana wine was a highlight. It was fun and enlightening to learn about its cultural significance and community role, such as its importance in traditional ceremonies like weddings, where the groom must make banana wine for the father-in-law. I'm frequently asked what my favorite country is, and after just four days here, I messaged home saying, 'I have a new favorite country—I love Rwanda so much’. Tell us about your trip's highlights My main goal for this trip was to monitor the gorillas, our one-hour trip turned into three hours because the gorillas would not stop moving. My porter finally arrived at them, grabbed my backpack, and said, ‘Enjoy yourself.’ Have fun. At that moment, I experienced butterflies in my stomach and an accelerated heartbeat due to excitement. After 10 years of waiting, the sound of the gorillas rustling in the trees increased the excitement of finally seeing them up close. For a brief minute, my thoughts were all over the place as I attempted to freeze the moment and take pictures in the hour we had left. Being so near to these majestic animals was both amazing and humble, especially when the silverbacks would occasionally go closer, forcing us to adjust and wonder about their intentions. Which common questions about Rwanda did you hear before you visited, and which information would you like to share about the country right now? The first question I usually get is, Where is that? And if they do know, the next question is typically, Are you going there to see the gorillas? What many people don't realize about Rwanda is how much it has to offer beyond gorilla trekking. The country boasts incredible parks and Lake Kivu is one of the most breathtaking places I've ever seen. Rwanda is stunning from every angle, with picturesque scenery that would surprise the world. Another aspect that stands out to me is how clean and safe I feel here. I'm completely comfortable walking around at night, and there's a strong commitment to cleanliness and environmental stewardship. Even during our tour in Akagera, our guide made sure to pick up any litter we came across. Compared to the constant stress levels in America, everyone in Rwanda seems much more relaxed. Learning to embrace the slower pace has been a positive adjustment for me. For instance, meals may take longer to prepare, but it allows for meaningful conversations and enjoying the company of others. The challenge is that there's so much to see and do. Even with 10 days, I felt it wasn't enough time to fully explore everything Rwanda has to offer. Each place we visited revealed layers of richness that made me wish for more time. Any final remarks? For aspiring solo travelers, I'd say the biggest hurdle is clicking that ‘confirm’ button when booking your ticket. It can be daunting but, remember, the world is filled with kind people eager to assist. Most people are good-hearted, so travel without fear, stay cautious, and trust that you'll navigate through any challenges—language barriers and cultural differences included.
