Sai Koppala – Round-the-World Traveler

Sai Koppala is a 34-year-old sales professional from New York, USA, who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2005 with his wife.

The Snapshot

• Departure: 2005
• Age at departure: 34
• Nationality: USA
• Location: New York, USA
• Duration: 3-6 months
• Occupation: Sales
• Regions: Africa, Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia

The Route

U.S. – Senegal – South Africa – Namibia – Botswana – Zimbabwe – Zambia – Malawi – Tanzania – Kenya – Egypt – UAE – India – Malaysia – Thailand – Cambodia – Vietnam – Laos – Indonesia – U.S.

In Their Words

Here's what Sai Koppala shared about their RTW journey:

Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?

Just seems like the right time. Both I and wife are in transition in our jobs, we have no kids and always wanted to something like this.

What is your biggest fear about this trip?

Coming back and searching for a job

2026 Context

• Budget inflation: This traveler reported only that they had saved "enough" rather than a specific figure; early-2000s round-the-world costs are substantially higher in 2026 (roughly 65–75% cumulative inflation since 2005).