Sub Saharan Africa

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

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The World Health Organisation website has further details. Check the dedicated FCO page on Swine Flu for further information.
  
  
• The Ethiopia-Eritrea border remains closed.  Several security incidents have taken place along the border, particularly in the Humera region.  The risk of cross-border tensions increasing and the security situation deteriorating very rapidly continues.  With the exception of the main road through Axum and Adigrat, we advise against all travel within 50 kms of the border areas with Eritrea because of the risk of landmines and banditry.  See the Local Travel (North and East Ethiopia) section of this travel advice for more details.
  
  
• We also advise against all travel to areas off the principal roads/towns within 50 kms of the borders with Sudan and Kenya; to the Danakil desert area bounded by the Dessie-Adigrat road, the Dessie-Djibouti road and to the Gambella region outside of Gambella town itself. This is because armed groups hostile to the Government of Ethiopia operate in several of these border areas.  See the Terrorism/Security and Local Travel sections of this advice for more details.
  
  
• We advise against crossing the Ethiopia/Somalia or Somaliland border by road. We also advise against travel to the Fik, Degehabur, Gode, Korahe and Warder zones of the Somali region where rebels groups are active and the situation remains volatile. This is because of ongoing military activity and lawlessness in the region.  We also advise against all but essential travel to Jijiga town.  See the Terrorism/Security section and the Local Travel (North & East Ethiopia) section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is a high threat from terrorism in Ethiopia; attacks could be indiscriminate including places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. As of the beginning of December 2008 the Ethiopian authorities remain on alert following their announcement in November 2008 that they had information about plans to carry out a terrorist attack in Ethiopia. As a result security has been increased around government buildings and major hotels in the capital Addis Ababa and Embassies, including the British Embassy.  British nationals are advised to remain extremely vigilant at all times in public places checking this Travel Advice for updates at regular intervals.
  
  
• Most visits to Ethiopia are trouble-free.  There is a low level of crime but you should avoid any public demonstrations.  We do not advise against travel to the main tourist destinations including Bahir Dar, Gonder, Lalibela, Axum and the rift valley lakes and the Omo Valley.
  
  
• Around 16,000 people visit Ethiopia from Britain each year (source: Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism). 26 British nationals required consular assistance in Ethiopia in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (13 cases); hospitalisations (2 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (4 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (25 cases). See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and  Travel Insurance  for more details.