•Older man on a trip
Going abroad for the first time past sixty is not as complicated as it looks. It just requires a different kind of preparation. The idea has been sitting with you for a while. A trip to Ghana, maybe, or further: Dubai, London, Nairobi, somewhere you have always meant to see, reports Guardian Life.
You are retired, or close to it. Time is no longer the problem. What stops most Nigerian seniors at this stage is not money or health but the unfamiliarity of the process. Where do you begin? What do you need to sort out first?
Here is a clear, honest guide.
1. Sort your documents early
Your Nigerian passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended travel dates. If it is due for renewal, begin that process three to four months before you plan to travel. Visa applications follow once the passport is confirmed. Research the specific requirements for your destination: some countries offer a visa on arrival for Nigerian passport holders, others require advance applications with supporting documents, including bank statements, a letter of invitation or hotel booking, and sometimes a medical certificate. Do not leave this until the last month.
2. Have an honest conversation with your doctor
Before you book anything, visit your physician. Discuss your itinerary, the climate of your destination, and any pre-existing conditions. Some destinations require proof of yellow fever vaccination, which is standard in Nigeria regardless. Your doctor will advise on altitude concerns, heat exposure, or any adjustments to your medication schedule across time zones. Get a letter summarising your medical history and current medications in English. Carry it in your hand luggage, not your checked bag.
3. Choose the right travel insurance
This is not optional. Standard travel insurance policies often exclude travellers above a certain age or charge significantly higher premiums for pre-existing conditions. Look specifically for senior travel insurance or policies that cover medical evacuation and hospitalisation abroad. Read the fine print. Know exactly what is and is not covered before you purchase. The cost is real; so is the cost of being hospitalised abroad without coverage.
4. Think carefully about your flight
Long-haul travel is harder on the body than it used to be. Where possible, choose direct flights or itineraries with longer layovers that allow you to move, rest, and eat properly between legs. Book an aisle seat. Compression socks reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis on extended flights and are worth wearing from departure. Carry your medication and a change of clothes in your carry-on in case checked luggage is delayed.
5. Choose accommodation that works for your body
A hotel with beautiful stairs and no lift is not the right hotel. When researching accommodation, look explicitly for ground-floor options, lift access, walk-in showers, and proximity to a pharmacy or clinic. Read recent reviews from guests who mention accessibility. Many booking platforms now allow you to filter for accessible rooms. Use that filter.
6. Build activities with rest in mind
The instinct when travelling for the first time is to fill every day. Resist it. Plan two or three anchor experiences per destination and leave the rest of the day open. Fatigue compounds when you are travelling across climates and time zones, and exhaustion can quickly turn a good trip bad. A slower itinerary is not a lesser one. It usually produces better memories.
7. Tell someone your itinerary
Leave a detailed copy of your travel plans, accommodation addresses, flight numbers, and emergency contacts with a family member at home. Check in regularly. If you are travelling alone, register your trip with the nearest Nigerian embassy or consulate at your destination. It takes ten minutes and provides a formal point of contact if anything goes wrong.
Your first trip abroad after sixty will not be your last. Most people who take it say the same thing afterwards: they wish they had done it sooner.
