While some dream of sailing the seven seas to visit every country on Earth, few have actually managed to achieve it. Youtuber Drew Binsky is one of those people.
Originally from Arizona, Binsky has visited all 197 countries since 2012 and has amassed an online community of over 15 million people. However, not all of his trips have been successful. Now, he has revealed his seven least favourite countries, some of which may surprise the avid traveller, considering the perilous situations in some countries.
The first country on his list was the Central African country of Chad. A landlocked country between Libya, Sudan, CAR, Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger, Binsky summed up his experience in just three words: “Nearly died, twice”.
Chad suffers from a dangerous security situation with a high threat of terrorism, kidnapping and violent crime. The FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Chad. This includes the northern provinces of Borku, Ennedi Ouest and Est and Tibesti, where there are many landmines and rebel groups. Lake Chad also has a high risk of terrorist kidnapping. The Chad-Sudan border is also closed to travellers.
Next on Binsky’s list is the largely unheard of, and third-smallest country in the world, Nauru. Larger than only the Vatican City and Monaco, Nauru is the smallest republic and island nation. It lies in Micronesia, northeast of Australia and northwest of Tuvalu. While it may sound idyllic, Binsky described it as “dark and eerie”.
Home to roughy 10,800 people, Nauru’s history is marked by phosphate mining’s devastating environmental and economic consequences, leading to a bleak landscape and a struggling economy. Mining has stripped and devastated about 80% of its land area, leaving it uninhabitable and impacting the surrounding marine environment. What’s more, Nauru served as a detention centre for asylum seekers and revelations of the dire conditions sparked global outcry, with Amnesty International describing Nauru as an “open-air prison”.
A surprising addition to the list is the West Asian island country of Bahrain. A small archipelago made up of 50 natural and 33 artificial islands, Bahrain lies between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Despite its impressive skyscrapers and rich history, Binsky described Bahrain as “extremely boring”.
While there are some bars and restaurants, Bahrain’s nightlife scene is not as vibrant as some other Gulf cities, like Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Unlike Saudi Arabia or the UAE, Bahrain is very small and some people find that there is not enough to do. If you’re looking for a bustling city with a vibrant nightlife scene, Bahrain might not be the best choice. However, if you’re looking for a more relaxed and culturally rich experience, Bahrain could be a great option.
The second African nation to make the top seven was the Gambia, found in the west of the continent. Gambia is bounded by Senegal and has a narrow Atlantic coastline. Here, Binsky said he experienced “verbal harassment”.
According to the FCDO advice, stay aware of your surroundings and to keep up to date with local media reports and local authority advice. In particular, it warns to be cautious of young men locally known as ‘bumsters’ who approach tourists, particularly on beaches, offering help or to act as local guides. It is unlikely they will follow the correct immigration procedures and it could result in you being detained by immigration authorities.
The Central African country of Cameroon also features on Binsky’s list, which he described as “beyond chaotic”. Covering an area of 183,569 square miles, Cameroon is home to nearly 30 million people.
The FCDO advises against all travel to Cameroon’s border areas with the CAR, Chad and most of Nigeria. It also discourages travel to the northwest, southwest and far north regions. Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Cameroon, including in places visited by foreigners, including restaurants, bars, hotels and markets. There is also a risk of armed robbery and mugging throughout the country.
Another surprising addition is the Caribbean country of St Vincent and the Grenadines. Often described as a peaceful and secluded white-sand paradise, Binsky, however, said: “Overpriced. Not a fan”.
According to Budget Your Trip, you should prepare to spend around £90 per day on your holiday in St Vincent and the Grenadines, including £43 on meals and £163 on accommodation. A one-week trip to the archipelago for two people, on average, is said to cost around £2,000, and that’s not even including flights.
Finally, we head back to Africa, this time to the West African country of Sierra Leone. Here, Binsky said he was “scammed $300 at [the border]”. Following the end of the civil war in 2002, the situation in Sierra Leone has improved. However, there are still reports of scamming, including forged official-looking documents.
Sierra Leone also suffers from economic challenges, including unemployment, and social challenges, including poverty. Climate change is also becoming an increasing problem. In a small number of incidents, British nationals have been robbed, sometimes at knifepoint, at beach resorts along the Freetown peninsula.