Safety and emergencies
Areas advised against, risks on the road and in town, scams and numbers to keep with you. Advice varies with the country that publishes it.
Areas advised against
Strongly advised against by France (update of 30 September 2026): Tigray, the whole Amhara region, the Afar border with Eritrea, the borders with both Sudans, Somalia and Kenya, western Oromia (Wellega, Horo Guduru, around Fiche) and Gambela region. Fighting continues in Tigray and Afar; any travel to the Danakil is strongly advised against.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, safetyFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, latest news and alertsAdvised against except for essential travel: the rest of Afar, western Ogaden, several parts of Oromia (Adama-Mieso road, Arsi, Gedeo, Guji), Amaro and Burji, and Benishangul-Gumuz. Do not stay overnight in Moyale.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, safetyPossible with vigilance: Addis Ababa (by car), Dire Dawa and Harar (preferably by air), the road to Hawassa and Arba Minch, the Bale mountains and the Omo valley, except Mursi territory and the far south. Check the situation before each trip.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, safetyRoads, internet and mobile networks may be temporarily cut.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Ethiopia travel advice: safety and security
On the road
Ethiopia has one of the highest road death rates in the world: never drive at night outside towns, check the vehicle and insurance when renting, and fly instead. Accident without injuries: stay at the scene until the police arrive. Some roads are impassable from June to September.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, useful information
Crime
Ethiopia is not party to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations: your embassy is not always informed if you are arrested. Carry its contact details.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, useful information
Useful contacts
Contact details taken from the official sources cited. Check them before going.
Emergency numbers
Police and emergencies 911, ambulance in Addis Ababa 907.
GOV.UK (FCDO), Ethiopia travel advice: getting help· Oct 2, 2026
Embassy of France in Ethiopia
Passport: FranceFrench embassy in Addis Ababa, also covering South Sudan.
Quartier Kabana, PO 1464, Addis-AbebaFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, entry and residence· Oct 2, 2026
French consular correspondent in Dire Dawa
Passport: FranceConsular contact.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026
Embassy of Canada to Ethiopia
Passport: CanadaEmbassy of Canada in Addis Ababa.
Sarbet, Lideta Kifle Ketema, Wereda 08, House no. 122, Addis Ababa+251 11 317 0000Government of Canada, Travel advice: Ethiopia· Oct 2, 2026
Sources for this guide
- France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, safety · Source updated: September 30, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, latest news and alerts · Checked on October 2, 2026
- GOV.UK (FCDO), Ethiopia travel advice: safety and security · Source updated: October 1, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, useful information · Source updated: September 30, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
AfriPilot is not an official body. Information comes from the sources cited and may change: each source's date is shown.