Ethiopia travel advice

FCDO notice

Conflict within northern Ethiopia

There is ongoing fighting between Ethiopian federal government forces and forces opposed to the federal government in northern Ethiopia. Tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia are high and the security situation may change with little notice. Some flights are suspended and flights across northern Ethiopia may also be suspended or cancelled at short notice.

There have been some threats from armed groups against Alula Aba Nega Airport, Mekele.

If you are in the Tigray region, shelter in place. You should also:

• stay indoors where possible
• follow local restrictions, including curfews
• monitor local media for developments
• check with your airline for the latest information
• as soon as you judge it is safe to do so, leave the Tigray region using commercial means

Warnings (from the FCDO, word for word)

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Border areas

FCDO advises against all travel to within: 

• 20km of the border with Sudan
• 10km of the border with South Sudan
• 100km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia and Kenya in Ethiopia’s Somali region, and within 30km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia in Fafan zone, except the border town and crossing at Wajale, and the principal road between Jijiga and Wajale
• 10km of the border with Kenya, except for principal roads and towns
• 20km of the border with Eritrea

Tigray region

FCDO advises against all travel to Tigray region.

Amhara region

FCDO advises against all travel to Amhara region.

Afar region

FCDO advises against all travel to within 20km of the border with Eritrea

FCDO advises against all travel to within 50km of the boundary with Tigray region.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Afar.

Gambela region

FCDO advises against all travel to Gambela region.

Oromia region

FCDO advises against all travel to: 

• within 10km of the border with Kenya, except for principal roads and towns
• north of (but not including) the A4 road in West Shewa zone
• south and west of the A3 road in North Shewa zone, including the A3 road itself in North Shewa
• West Wollega zone (including the main Addis Ababa to Gambela road), East Wollega zone, Kellem Wollega and Horo Gudru Wollega

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• all of East Shewa zone except the Addis Ababa to Adama Expressway, 10km either side of the Addis Ababa to Adaba expressway between Addis Ababa and Bishoftu, and the A7 from junction with the Addis Ababa to Adama expressway down to Hawassa
• the A4 road between Addis Ababa and Cheliya, except for the section in the Finfine special zone
• the remainder of North Shewa zone
• West Guji and Guji zones (except the Hawassa to Mega road)

Somali region

FCDO advises against all travel to within:

• 30km of the Ethiopia-Somalia border in Fafan zone, except the border town and crossing at Wajale, and the principal road between Jijiga and Wajale
• 100km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia and Kenya in the rest of the region

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: 

• the Siti zone
• the Nogob (previously Fik)
• Jarar (previously Degehabur)
• Shabelle (previously Gode)
• Korahe and Dollo (previously Warder)
• areas of Liben and Afder zones more than 100km from the Somalia and Kenya borders

Central, Southern, Sidama and South West regions (formerly SNNPR)

FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the borders with South Sudan and Kenya including the shores of Lake Turkana.

Benishangul-Gumuz region

FCDO advises against all travel to:

• within 20km of the border with Sudan
• the Metekel zone
• the Maokomo special zone

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Benishangul-Gumuz region.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel to these regions.

Support from FCDO

Staff at the British Embassy in Addis Ababa cannot offer support in person in areas of Ethiopia where FCDO advises against travel.

If you need urgent help from the UK government, for example if you’ve been arrested or you’re concerned about forced marriage, contact the British Embassy in Addis Ababa.

If you’re in the UK and are concerned about a British national in Ethiopia, call FCDO on 020 7008 5000.

From FCDO: warnings and insurance.

Passport validity

Your passport must be:

• valid for at least 6 months after the date you arrive in Ethiopia
• machine-readable

From FCDO: entry requirements. Written for British passport holders.