Travel safety in Ethiopia: visiting the north and central regions

hi, We’d like to visit the main sites in northern and central Ethiopia, but we’re reading very different things about the security situation there. Is it safe for tourists to travel there right now? I guess it’s a bit safer with an organized tour, but we don’t want to push our luck. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Hi,

I went to Ethiopia last December and visited the Danakil Desert and Lalibela. To get there from Addis Ababa, I took domestic flights instead of traveling by road. Danakil Desert: nothing to report, just a few groups of tourists in 4x4s. Lalibela: you immediately sense that the situation isn’t quite normal. Tourists can be counted on one hand, and tourism professionals are struggling—they’re really happy to welcome the few visitors they get. The town is very quiet, protected by armies, and there are various NGOs, the only ones in the city. Overall, I didn’t feel any danger, and the trip went smoothly.

However, the situation seems to be changing quickly. For the past few days, it’s been advised to avoid traveling there. Things are becoming unstable again, and it might be best to wait before going. https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/conseils-par-pays-destination/ethiopie/

Ethiopia is a little-known country, but it has a truly rich culture that’s fascinating, and the nature is also stunning.

Hi there, Thank you so much for your reply—it’s exactly what I needed. In the meantime, I’ve reached out to a few travel agencies, and the ones that responded have all suspended their offers for this destination. They say the situation is very unstable; some areas are more accessible than others, but it’s still too risky for them. I’ll keep an eye on things, but I really want to visit this country. Thanks again!