Is Ethopia Safe?

Thorn Tree forumCountry forumsAfricaEthiopia
Enter custom title (optional)
This topic is locked
Last reply was
3.0k
…
Send as an e-mail
Send as an e-mail
simonthedousek
simonthedousek

(This is a repost, the last one hasn't shown up for some reason)

Hi

I wanted to go to Ethopia in August this year and I wanted to know if it will be safe? I realise there arent many people who can see the future that regularly view this site but any current info would be useful. The OZ government website Smart traveller says to reconsider and there has been violence in the dankar depression area, where we wanted to go.

Any thoughts?
Anyone there now who can comment on the situation?

thanks

Simon

View last reply
Report
1
akfak
akfak

General travel in Ethiopia is safe. The situation in the Danakil Depression might be a bit risky. There was a recent attempt to kidnap French tourists, but it was foiled. (Two Ethiopians were kidnapped, actually, but of course this doesn't make international news.) All main routes in Ethiopia are safe.

I would do your research on visiting the Danakil Depression in August, though. From what I understand it's not possible to go due to weather conditions. This is rainy season and the road from Mekele follows a riverbed, which gets flooded at this time.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
2
mesfin
mesfin

Simon,

It is a place where around 2 kidnappings happened since last year. So far, we haven't heared anyone shot dead except people kidnapped whether Ethiopians, French or Britons. Nobody can tell you about the future , if we do not take a red light from this situation then let us go and visit danakil.
Still the area is not suspended by the Government. Go there by your own risk !

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
3
simsy
simsy

Fair dinkum Simon.
All governments are going to say that.
Ethiopia is as safe as you will get.
It will cost you a motza to get to the Danakil for a few days so bring some hard cash if you are truely serious.
Safe ravels mate!

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
4
leoneevans
leoneevans

As #1 mentioned, redo you research about visiting the Danakil in August. The route runs through riverbeds with huge rocks, not something you would just 4-wheel through during a flood. If I am not mistaken, November - March is the right time to visit the Danakil Depression.

Evans

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
5
kittcola
kittcola

Hi Si, I'm headin over to addis end of may for a spot of volunteer work - 2 years of it actually! intend hopping from project to project all the way down to SA and Namibia - single white irish female - If i can do it you can! Kittcola@gmail.com, give me a shout when you get to addis - we'll have a beer!

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report

This topic has been locked by a moderator.

Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner