Maria Kamau, also known as Mkay, is a Kenyan ICF-certified travel coach, travel writer and bodacious adventurer who has travelled to 100 countries and all 47 counties of Kenya. Sao Tome and Principe became her 100th country after a 37-year international travel journey that began with a school trip to Germany in 1989.

Her achievement is not a story of diplomatic access or large sponsorships. Only about 15 of her country visits were connected to official work; most were self-funded through long-term saving, budgeting and deliberate financial choices. Travelling with an ordinary Kenyan passport has also meant navigating demanding visa applications, higher costs, extensive documentation and occasional immigration scrutiny.

Maria now uses Travel with Mkay to help people, particularly women and African travellers, approach travel with courage and practical preparation.

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