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
France strongly advises against travel to the whole country, including Puntland and Somaliland; Hargeisa, Berbera and the road between them are advised against except for essential travel (update of 12 March 2026). The UK advises against all travel to Somalia except the Awdal, Maroodijeh and Sahil regions, where it advises against all but essential travel.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Somalia, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Somalia travel advice: warnings and insuranceIf travel is essential: escort, short stay, secured accommodation (airlock, armed guards, walls, emergency exits), registration with the French embassy in Nairobi and on Ariane, and an emergency plan that does not rely on your government.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Somalia, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Somalia travel advice: warnings and insurancePiracy remains active off the coast, with violent attacks and hostage-taking; ships must report their movements to Operation Atalanta.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Somalia, safety
Terrorism and kidnapping
Al-Shabaab controls much of the centre and south and carries out near-daily attacks, especially in Mogadishu (car bombs, commandos, targeted killings). The risk of kidnapping foreigners, including journalists and aid workers, is very high; ISIS is present in Puntland.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Somalia, safety
Useful contacts
Contact details taken from the official sources cited. Check them before going.
Emergency numbers
Somali Red Crescent (all services) 446; ambulance 999, fire 555, police 888.
GOV.UK (FCDO), Somalia travel advice: getting help· Oct 2, 2026
Embassy of France in Kenya
Passport: FranceFrench interests in Somalia are handled from Nairobi.
Peponi Gardens, off Peponi Road, Nairobi, Kenya+254 20 760 5555France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Somalia, entry and residence· Oct 2, 2026
Sources for this guide
- France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Somalia, safety · Source updated: September 15, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- GOV.UK (FCDO), Somalia travel advice: warnings and insurance · Source updated: June 4, 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.