The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

International border areas 

FCDO advises against all travel within:  

• 20km of the border with Sudan 
• 10km of the border with South Sudan 
• 100km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia and Kenya in Ethiopia’s Somali region, and within 30km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia in Fafan zone, except the border town and crossing at Wajale, and the principal road between Jijiga and Wajale 
• 10km of the border with Kenya, except for principal roads and towns 
• 10km of the border with Eritrea 

Tigray region 

FCDO advises against all travel to Tigray region except the towns and connecting roads of Mekelle: 

• southward to Maychew 
• northwards to Adigrat 
• west and north-westward to Abiy Addi, Adwa and Shire 
• eastward to Abala on the Tigray-Afar border 

Amhara region 

FCDO advises against all travel to Amhara region. 

Afar region 

FCDO advises against all travel to areas of Afar region within:  

• 100km of the border with Tigray to the north of Anseba town 
• 30km of the border with Tigray to the south of Anseba town  
• 10km of the border with Eritrea 

Gambella region 

FCDO advises against all travel to Gambella region. 

Oromia region 

FCDO advises against all travel to these areas of Oromia region:  

• within 10km of the border with Kenya, except for principal roads and towns 
• north of (but not including) the A4 road in West Shewa zone 
• south and west of (but not including) the A3 road in North Shewa zone  
• West Wollega zone (including the main Addis Ababa to Gambella road), East Wollega zone, Kellem Wollega and Horo Gudru Wollega  

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: 

• West Guji and Guji zones 
• the road and 10km either side of the road between Welenchiti and Metehara on the A1 in East Shewa zone of Oromia regional state 

Somali Regional State 

FCDO advises against all travel to within: 

• 100km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia and Kenya in Ethiopia’s Somali region  
• 30km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia in Fafan zone, except the border town and crossing at Wajale, and the principal road between Jijiga and Wajale 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:  

• the Siti zone 
• the Nogob (previously Fik) 
• Jarar (previously Degehabur) 
• Shabelle (previously Gode) 
• Korahe and Dollo (previously Warder) 
• areas of Liben and Afder zones more than 100km from the Somalia and Kenya borders 

Central, Southern, Sidama and South West regions (formerly SNNPR) 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel: 

• to the Konso Special Woreda of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR)  
• within 10km of the borders with South Sudan and Kenya 

Benishangul-Gumuz region 

FCDO advises against all travel to these areas of Benishangul-Gumuz region: 

• within 20km of the border with Sudan 
• the Metekel zone and Maokomo special zone 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Benishangul-Gumuz region. 

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel to these regions.

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:  

• general advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks 
• information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers 

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.