Travel advice for Ethiopia

Avoid all non-essential travel to Ethiopia because conflict, instability, crime and terrorism create a very high security risk. Avoid all travel to Tigray; Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella, Somali, Afar, western Oromia and Amhara; and every border area, where armed clashes, kidnapping, mines and rapidly changing conditions are risks. In Addis Ababa, be alert to theft and avoid demonstrations, while recognising fuel shortages and transport disruption.

Avoid unnecessary travel to Ethiopia because conflict, violence, crime, kidnapping and protests create risks. Avoid all travel to Tigray and Amhara, where fighting, airport closures, blockades, power and internet outages are reported, and to Afar because clashes are spreading. Avoid unnecessary travel except in Addis Ababa, where stay away from military sites and crowds. Avoid western Oromia and border zones, and use caution on the Omo Valley route to Jinka.

Avoid non-essential travel to Ethiopia due to unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, communication outages, and exit bans. Do not travel to Tigray, Amhara, Gambella, Benishangul Gumuz, and most of Oromia except Bishoftu and Bale Mountains National Park. Also avoid specified areas in Afar, Central, South, Southwest, and Somali regions and the listed borders. Addis Ababa is stable, but conflict outside it may worsen suddenly.

Avoid travel to Amhara, Tigray and Afar because of armed clashes and tensions near Eritrea. Avoid nonessential travel to Oromia, Gambella, Benishangul-Gumuz and borders with South Sudan, Sudan and Somalia because of robberies, kidnappings, militia control and ethnic violence. Elsewhere, beware of demonstrations, roadblocks, violence, crime and terror attacks, and travel only with local guides. Avoid the Moyale crossing, government and military sites and crowds, and prepare for fuel shortages.

Germany advises a high degree of caution for Ethiopia, and avoiding all travel for parts of it.

Exercise a high degree of caution because travel restrictions or flight suspensions may occur at short notice. Avoid all travel to Tigray, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella, specified Oromia and Gedeo zones, and border areas. Avoid non-essential travel to Afar except border zones and Somali Region except around Jijiga. Take care on A10 between Harar and Jijiga due to unrest near Babile, and monitor health after returning from Ebola-affected or neighbouring countries.

Evacuate and avoid all travel to the named border and conflict regions because of heightened political tension, armed clashes and regional instability. Do not travel to Mekelle and Sile, most of Tigray, Afar's Kilabat, most of Amhara, Irabo, most of Gambela, Assosa, or Kenya border areas. Avoid non-essential travel to other specified regions; take sufficient care in Addis Ababa and remaining areas.

Avoid red coded regions, including Tigray and its border areas, because conflict and drone or missile attacks make them too dangerous. Travel to orange coded regions only when necessary, and be extra vigilant in yellow coded Ethiopia. Use guides, travel by air where possible, and make road journeys by day only. In Tigray, seek safety, avoid the road to Addis Ababa, and expect fuel and medicine shortages and flight cancellations.

Avoid all but essential travel to parts of Ethiopia and avoid all travel to others. British citizens need a valid passport and a visa for tourism or business, and may need yellow fever certification or health screening. Strict cash, customs, khat and antiques rules apply, with higher cash limits for travel to Djibouti, while visa overstaying can lead to fines or imprisonment.

Avoid all travel to Tigray, Amhara and border areas with Afar and Eritrea due to fighting and threats to Mekelle airport; non-essential travel to Afar is strongly discouraged. Leave these zones when safely possible. In Addis Ababa, be vigilant, avoid demonstrations, crowds, military zones and strategic sites, and do not walk alone after dark. Fuel shortages may disrupt travel outside Addis; heavy rain in southern Ethiopia may affect travel.

Avoid travel to Tigray, Amhara and Afar because armed clashes have caused a severe deterioration in security. Some international airports are closed or at risk, flights may be cancelled without notice, and further clashes, road closures and mobile or internet outages are possible. Travel to other regions, except Addis Abeba, only if absolutely necessary, and check local transport availability before any journey.

Sweden advises against all travel to Amhara, Gambella, Benishangul-Gumuz, Tigray, the Somali region except Jigjiga, and Afar except Semera; at Semera, only non-essential travel is advised against. It also advises against all travel within 50 km of Ethiopia’s borders and non-essential travel to Sidama, South Ethiopia, South West Ethiopia and Central Ethiopia. Oromia has city, park and road exceptions; Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Harar and A10 are not warned against.

Australia advises avoiding non-essential travel for Ethiopia.

Canada advises avoiding non-essential travel to Ethiopia because of armed conflict, civil unrest, violence, potential fuel shortages and crime. Avoid all travel to listed northern and central regions, border areas and specified Oromia zones, except the A4 corridor from Addis Ababa through Ambo, the C104 road, Wajale and its crossing, where avoid non-essential travel. Exercise high caution in Addis Ababa because of crime and potentially violent demonstrations.

Take normal precautions when travelling to Ethiopia. Estonia has no embassy there, so consult other countries' travel advice and alerts, and seek consular help from the nearest EU member state mission if needed. Estonian citizens need a visa, and entry and stay conditions may change without prompt notice, so confirm current visa, passport validity and additional requirements before travel.

Hong Kong advises normal precautions for Ethiopia.

Exercise normal precautions in Ethiopia, but remain alert to civil unrest that can escalate quickly and avoid protest areas. Pickpocketing and snatch thefts occur, even by children; do not travel alone at night, and seek immediate care after sexual assault because HIV/AIDS is prevalent. Dress modestly and observe local customs and export restrictions on ivory and precious stones. Seek health advice and yellow fever vaccination 10 days before travel.