I second Nepal! I didn’t put in in my list because internet is dreadful, but damn, what an amazing country! I spent almost a year there doing some volunteering.

How’s the malaria situation in Kigali? Did you need to take anti-malarials?

I don’t need great internet so my faves are -

• Laos - super chill, beautiful, Buddhist temples, lovely people and amazing food with a French influence.

• Ethiopia. Addis abba is quite cosmopolitan, lovely people with great fashion sense, the Ethiopian landscape and light is so beautiful, you really feel like you’re in the cradle of humanity, it all just feels ancient. Food average. Friendly traveler scene because there aren’t too many tourists.

• Indonesia - stunning scenery, genuine and kind people, language not too difficult to learn. Food can be mixed, not v healthy.

Krabi, Ko Trang, Phuket - in Thailand.

Indonesia as a whole is extremely safe, as is Laos and Thailand. I’ve also lived in El Salavador and Mexico and whilst they have their dangers, I don’t think female travelers are at higher risk of harm. (In my experience, anyway.)

I don’t think I’ve been anywhere that I really felt unsafe as a female - Sri Lanka was the worst in terms of being constantly hassled, but even there, I didn’t feel unsafe.