Safety in Ethiopia: what overland travellers should know
Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 7 February 2026.
Safety
- Amhara and Tigray — All travel to the Amhara region is advised against: violent clashes have hit Bahir Dar, Gondar and Lalibela, and the areas bordering western Tigray remain especially exposed, with recent fighting between local militias and federal troops. All travel to Tigray is advised against as well, where the situation stays volatile and there has been fighting on the Tigray-Afar border.
- Tigray and Afar permit — Since 11 May 2025 the Ethiopian authorities require a specific authorisation from foreigners who want to go to the Tigray and Afar regions.
- Omo Valley — Since late 2024 groups of tourists have been attacked and even kidnapped in the Omo Valley, and foreign tourists have been killed. The attacks are for robbery or extortion, and the ministry flags a clear deterioration in an area considered touristic until now.
- Oromia: fly, don't drive — In Oromia the advice is to avoid non-essential road journeys and to move by air instead. Flash kidnappings have been reported, including of foreigners, particularly on the slower intercity roads. Stay in the main hotels, the ones with security at the entrance.
- Border areas — Serious security risks exist along the borders with Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia. All travel is advised against to the Somali region/Ogaden, where a kidnapping risk for westerners has been reported repeatedly around Dolo Ado, and to Gambella near the South Sudanese border; the Sudanese border zones are currently not crossable at all.
- Addis Ababa — Common crime is on the rise, including in daylight, in the crowded central districts and around Merkato, Bole and now the Entoto park area. Stay on the main streets, avoid walking at night, and avoid Merkato in particular on Fridays. Car journeys at night are discouraged everywhere in the country.
Before you rely on this
This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 7 February 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for Ethiopia before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.
Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 7 February 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.