FCO Travel Advice for - Ethiopia

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  • The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to:

    - within 10 km of the border with Eritrea, with the exception of the main road through Axum and Adigrat, and tourist sites close to the road (e.g. Debre Damo and Yeha)

    - areas off the principal roads/towns within 10 km of the borders with Sudan and Kenya

    - within 10km of the border with South Sudan.

    -     the Nogob (previously Fik), Jarar (previously Degehabur), Shabelle (previously Gode), Korahe and Dollo (previously Warder) zones of the Somali region.

    - within 100km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia and Kenya in the Afder and Liben zones of Ethiopia’s Somali region.

    - the Danakil desert area: north of the Mille-Djibouti and Mille-Chifra roads, and east of the towns of Bere-Ale, Shehet, Didigsala and Chifra

    - the four woredas (districts) (Akobo, Wantawo, Jikawo and Lare) of the Nuer zone and the Jore woreda of the Agnuak zone of the Gambella region

  • The FCO advise against all but essential travel to


    - Jijiga town.

    - Three woredas of the Agnuak zone of the Gambella region that border on South Sudan (Dima, Goge, and Etang) and the Gambella Wildlife Reserve (taking into account the advice against all travel to within 10km of the border with South Sudan)

  • There is a general threat from terrorism. There is a high threat of kidnapping in Ethiopia’s Somali region, particularly in the eastern areas to which we advise against all travel. See Terrorism

  • Crime levels are low, but you should avoid large gatherings and public demonstrations and be alert to the risk of street crime. See Crime

  • The Ethiopia-Eritrea border remains closed. Several security incidents have taken place along the border. The risk of cross-border tensions remains. There is a threat of kidnapping along the border.
  • Owning ivory is strictly prohibited in Ethiopia. Anyone caught in possession of ivory can expect to be detained by police. See Local laws and customs

  • Around 20,000 British nationals visit Ethiopia every year. Most visits are trouble free. See Consular Assistance Statistics

  • Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.
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