Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• We advise against all travel within 25 kms of Eritrea’s border with Ethiopia and Djibouti.  We also advise against travel to Eritrea's border with Sudan, including the town of Tesseney; and in the area north and west of Nakfa, Agordat and Barentu. See the Local Travel section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• The Ethiopia-Eritrea border remains closed and unmarked.  Several security incidents have taken place in recent months along the border, particularly in the areas of Humera, Tsorona and Zalambessa.  Since the relocation out of Eritrea of the UN Peacekeeping Mission (UNMEE) in March 2008 the risk of cross-border tensions increasing and the security situation deteriorating very rapidly remains.  See Local Travel section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• All foreign nationals, including resident diplomats, are required to apply ten days in advance for travel permits to leave Asmara – these are not always granted.  This means that diplomatic staff from the British Embassy are unable to offer emergency assistance to British nationals outside Asmara quickly.  Eritrean authorities have not always informed the relevant Embassy when a foreign national is in need of consular assistance - this potential lack of any assistance outside Asmara is something to take into account fully before travelling.  See the Local Travel (Travel Permits) section and General sections of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Dual British/Eritrean nationals should be aware that, under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the British Embassy is unable to offer assistance in Eritrea.  The Eritrean authorities consider all British nationals holding either Eritrean or PFDJ identity documents (including out of date documents) as Eritrean nationals.
  
  
• 4 British nationals required consular assistance in Eritrea in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (1 cases); hospitalisations (0 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (0 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (2 cases).
  
  
• The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The World Health Organisation website has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine flu page on the FCO website.  Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.  Please see the Health section of the travel advice for further information.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from terrorism in Eritrea. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• All British nationals travelling to Eritrea should register with the British Embassy in Asmara on arrival.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and ensure that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

For more general information see Victims of crime.

Political Situation

Eritrea Country Profile

Local Travel

We advise against all travel within 25 km of the border with Djibouti.  From 10 to 12 June 2008 there was fighting between Djibouti and Eritrea after an incursion of Eritrean forces into the disputed Djibouti border region.  This led to casualties on both sides.  The situation remains unresolved.

We advise against all travel within 25 km of Eritrea’s border with Ethiopia.  It is important to note that in most places the border is neither marked nor obvious.

The Ethiopia-Eritrea border remains closed.  Several security incidents have taken place in recent months along the border, particularly in the areas of Humera, Tsorona and Zalambessa.  Since the relocation out of Eritrea of the UN Peacekeeping Mission (UNMEE) in March 2008 the risk of cross-border tensions increasing and the security situation deteriorating very rapidly remains.

We advice against all travel to Eritrea's border with Sudan, including the town of Tesseney; and the area north and west of Nakfa, Agordat and Barentu.  In October 2009, an attack on  a International Mining Company vehicle to a road 35km north of Keren caused the deaths of one employee and two contractors. A British national was killed in the area west of Agordat in April 2003.  In August 2003, an attack on an NGO vehicle north of Nakfa led to the deaths of two aid workers.

There are extensive mine fields in Eritrea, particularly near the border with Ethiopia. Driving on main roads outside of the border areas is generally safe, though a landmine killed eight and injured several people along the same road in November 2008.  We advise against driving on non-metalled roads and off-road driving.  We also advise against walking or hiking in the countryside for the same reason.

We advise against travelling after dark in rural areas, where road signage/road barriers are scarce and steep drops common.  You should be aware that in many parts of the country roads are difficult or impassable during the rainy season.

Telephone (including mobile) networks are often unreliable and may only work for limited periods a day outside Asmara and larger towns.  You should take this into account when travelling, particularly in rural areas.

All foreign nationals are required to have a travel permit to leave Asmara.  This includes Embassy officials and other foreign nationals resident / working in Eritrea.  Those working outside Asmara are also required to have a travel permit to leave their area of residence or work.  Applications for such travel permits in Asmara are handled by the Department of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or relevant ministry).  Applications outside Asmara are handled by the local Zoba (Region) Administration Offices.  Permission may take several days to be granted and is sometimes refused or delayed.

Tourists seeking to travel outside Asmara should apply for travel permits at the Ministry of Tourism located on Harnet Avenue in Asmara.  Such permits usually take around 24 hours to process.  There is no guarantee that permits will be issued.

This also means that diplomatic staff from the British Embassy are unable to offer emergency assistance to British nationals outside Asmara quickly. If travel permits were not granted, the British Embassy is unlikely to be able to offer any Consular assistance outside Asmara. The potential lack of any assistance outside Asmara is something you should take into account fully before travelling.

Local laws and customs

Photography of government buildings and military installations is not allowed.  If in doubt, ask first. 

You are advised to dress modestly, especially in lowland and predominantly Muslim areas. Shorts and T-shirts are likely to draw attention. 

Homosexual behaviour is illegal, although the penalties are unclear. Discretion is advised.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Your trip.

Entry requirements

Health

General