Nope.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Ethiopia
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Nope.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Distraction theft via merchandise
A person displays a tray of items to buy with one hand while attempting to pick your pocket with the other. Stay aware of your surroundings to intimidate them into leaving.
The spitting scam
A stranger spits on you and offers a tissue to clean it up, using the distraction to pick your pockets before fleeing in a companion's car. Keep your distance from those offering unsolicited cleaning.
Physical distraction theft
An individual grabs your arm and acts erratically or pretends to kick you as a distraction while an accomplice attempts to pick your pockets.
The khat friendship scam
Locals befriend you and invite you to celebrate a special holiday with khat leaves, then demand a massive payment for the drug. Always ask if there is a price for anything, even when invited.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Mandatory document carry
Due to a heightened security presence, you must carry your identity and travel documents at all times. Comply with instructions at checkpoints and road blocks.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Polio
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Chikungunya, Cholera, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Measles, Meningococcal disease, Monkeypox, Polio, Rabies, Typhoid
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
Visitors to Ethiopia must obtain a visa from one of the Ethiopian diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries whose citizens are eligible to apply for an electronic visa or visa on arrival.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Ethiopia. There is a threat of terrorism across Ethiopia. Attacks could target westerners, including British nationals. These could occur at any time including at religious events, public holidays or celebrations. Attacks could be indiscriminate and occur in places visited by foreign nationals, such as: restaurants, hotels, bars, nightclubs and markets supermarkets and shopping centres stations and airports places of worship and tourist attractions festivals and sports venues or events Large crowds are common on key national and religious dates, including: Ethiopian Christmas on 7 January Epiphany or ‘Timket’ in January Victory of Adawa on 2 March Ethiopian Patriots’ Victory Day on 5 May Downfall of the Derg Regime on 28 May Ethiopian New Year from 11 to 12 September Birthday of the Prophet Mohammed on 27 September Finding of the True Cross or ‘Meskel’ on 28 September Ethiopian (Orthodox) Easter Eid Al Fitr Eid Al Arafa Parts of the country also have local festivals (often celebrating saints’ days) which can lead to large gatherings. Terrorist group Al-Shabaab, based in Somalia, poses a threat across East Africa. The group threatens all countries who have military forces in Somalia, including Ethiopia. In 2022, Al-Shabaab attacked the Somali towns of Aato, Yeed and Washaaqo, near the border with Ethiopia. Al-Shabaab has said it intends to commit further attacks in the area.
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
Dress code
Women are expected to dress conservatively, especially when visiting religious sites.
Source: UK FCDO →LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex acts (applying to both sexes) are illegal and carry penalties of between 1 and 15 years in prison. Local authorities intimidate and detain owners and clients of hotels, bars and restaurants in Addis Ababa where same-sex activity is alleged to take place. The public are not generally accepting of same-sex relationships. Some religious leaders have called for violence against the LGBT+ community. Showing affection in public may receive unwanted attention. It is dangerous to be openly (or covertly) LGBT+ in Ethiopia, and can lead to great personal risk. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Source: UK FCDO →From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •There are many ongoing inter-ethnic conflicts. Borders between ethnic regions tend to be high-risk areas. In addition, many groups are in conflict with the government.
- •Due to the general security situation, expect a heightened security presence.
- •Communications and availability of food, water and other necessities can be disrupted. Have a contingency plan.
- •Landmines are a threat in some regions.
- •See also War zone safety.
Staying healthy
- •Don't drink the tap water.
- •Consult a doctor before going to Ethiopia about what vaccinations against infectious diseases you should consider.
- •If you get sick, go to one of the big private hospitals, e.g., Korean, Hayat, St Gabriels.
- •A large part of Ethiopia is at a high elevation.
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Right now
In the news the last few days
- Tanzania inaugurates $2 . 9B hydropower project built by Egyptian consortium2026-08-22
- Sudan farms lie barren as El Nino dries up Nile banks2026-08-22
- Sudan farms lie barren as El Nino leaves Nile banks dry2026-08-22
- EXPLAINER - From floods to famine : What past El Nino disasters reveal about 2026 - 22026-08-21
Real talk
What travelers actually say
Travelers currently lack consensus on the safety of Ethiopia, as government assessments for regions like the Bale Zone vary significantly. While individuals express interest in visiting Addis Ababa and the Bale Mountains National Park, they remain cautious due to security concerns and the rapid volatility of the region. No specific reports of violent crime, scams, or street-level safety incidents are documented in these discussions. The available information focuses entirely on prospective travel planning and uncertainty regarding the current security climate, leaving travelers to navigate conflicting official warnings without the benefit of shared, on-the-ground experiences regarding actual threats or safe practices.
“Different governments seem to have varying assessments of safety in the Bale Zone (where the park is located), which is why I was wondering.
— r/travel
“However, I'm also aware there are potential safety and security implications here.
— r/travel
“Also I know things can change quickly in this part of the world, and this trip would be at the end of 2025.
— r/travel
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / E / F / L · 220V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 911 / ambulance: 911 / fire: 911
Tipping
In Ethiopia tipping is common in hotels, restaurants and bars. One is also expected to tip car park attendants whether hired by institutions or self-assigned. In some restaurants it is customary to tip any dancers, and this is usually done by sticking the paper money on the forehead of the dancer.
SIM / Data
Unlike most countries, even within Africa, roaming in Ethiopia with your home country's carrier is very expensive and is often not covered by discounted roaming packages, and many traveler eSIMs don't even support the country at all. As such it is highly recommended to get a local SIM card while in Ethiopia.
Cash vs. Card
Local currency is the Ethiopian birr, denoted by the symbol "Br" or "ብር " (ISO currency code: ETB). Wikivoyage articles use birr to denote the currency.
Zoom in
One Ethiopia city on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (9 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09