When Tanzania reopened its borders last August 2020, I began planning a safari trip. By September, I had put together a group of six first-time safari travelers. In October, we were on a plane from the US, headed for our final destination: Kilimanjaro Airport. Why Tanzania? I’d heard of the Great Wildebeest Migration and wanted to see it myself. Because there were so few tourists in Africa, I felt this was an ideal time to visit sans crowds.

Last month, my husband and I flew to Antigua in the West Indies. It was the first Caribbean nation to open its borders since the pandemic. The island has 100,000 inhabitants and until 1981 was a British colony. Formerly a sugar-producing island, it now relies heavily on tourism. Learn about why I recommend Antigua as a safe destination for your travels.

Is it safe to travel during COVID? In 2020, I traveled to the Philippines and Cambodia (pre-lockdown), then to Mexico, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, and back to Mexico again (post-lockdown). These are the steps I take to travel safely.