Travel Smart
Honest, sourced guidance so you travel confident. Most of any country is calmer than the headlines suggest.
Safety
Countrywide advisory (Government of Canada)
Reconsider travelAvoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories) Regional advisories apply; see the source for zone-level detail.
Source: Government of Canada · Verified 2026-07-26
Addis Ababa and central highlands (Shewa)
Exercise increased cautionThe capital and surrounding highlands are generally safe. Urban crime (theft, scams) exists but is manageable with standard precautions. Tourist infrastructure is well developed.
Avoid: Avoid Merkato district late at night. Some neighborhoods see higher theft; use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps.
Common scams: Fake guides; inflated prices for tourists; currency exchange scams. Use established hotels and licensed guides.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Southern highlands (SNNPR, Sidamo)
Exercise normal precautionsThe south is generally stable. Tourist sites like Arba Minch, Hawassa, and the Omo Valley are accessible. Local guides are beneficial.
Avoid: Remote pastoral areas in the Lower Omo Valley require experienced guides due to rough terrain and occasional banditry. Communal conflicts between pastoralist groups can flare.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Northern historical circuit (Axum, Gondar, Lalibela)
Exercise increased cautionThe classic tourist route through historical sites is increasingly accessible but security remains variable. Check current advisories before planning northern travel.
Avoid: Tigray Region experienced armed conflict 2020-2022; peace is fragile. Amhara Region has had recent unrest. Travel to Tigray is not currently recommended for tourists.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Eastern lowlands (Afar, Somali regions)
Reconsider travelThe Danakil Depression (Afar region) has significant tourism but requires caution. The Somali region has higher banditry risks and is generally not recommended.
Avoid: Somali Region: substantial banditry and armed conflict risks. Eastern Afar: requires experienced guides and 4WD; accessible but challenging.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Simien Mountains
Exercise increased cautionThe iconic trekking destination is generally safe but remote. Armed bandits have historically targeted trekkers; use licensed guides and registered tour companies.
Avoid: Trek only with established tour companies; avoid independent trekking due to robbery risks.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
6 zones rated separately against Government of Canada, UK FCDO. Oldest check on this page: 6 July 2026.
Emergency Contacts
Police emergency line, Addis Ababa
police · Addis Ababa
Two governments give different digits. The French foreign ministry's Ethiopia page gives 991, routed by menu to the Federal Police or the Addis Ababa Police, while the UK Foreign Office gives 911 for police and emergency. The Addis Ababa Police Commission's own site was down throughout verification, so neither could be confirmed against an Ethiopian source. Both are carried here, and it is worth confirming locally on arrival.
SourceEthiopian Red Cross Society ambulance service
ambulance · Addis Ababa
Free and running around the clock across Addis Ababa, per the Red Cross's own site, and confirmed independently by both the UK and French travel advisories. Response times vary with traffic, which in Addis is not a small caveat.
SourceTebita Ambulance
ambulance · Addis Ababa
Ethiopia's first private emergency medical service, paid, with 24-hour cover in Addis Ababa and ground evacuation further afield. Worth having alongside the Red Cross number if you are carrying travel insurance.
SourceAddis Ababa Fire, Emergency Prevention and Rescue Commission
fire · Addis Ababa
Confirmed on the French foreign ministry's Ethiopia emergency page. The commission's own site returned server errors and a certificate mismatch throughout verification, so no Ethiopian government source could confirm the number independently.
SourceSt Gabriel General Hospital
hospital · Addis Ababa
Bole Sub-city, Woreda 04, House 376, Addis Ababa, near Hayahulet on the way to Bole Medhanialem
A private general hospital with 24-hour emergency services, commonly used by visitors and foreign residents in Addis. Both the short code and the full number are published on the hospital's own site.
SourceNordic Medical Centre
hospital · Addis Ababa
Bole sub city, Kebele 01, House 1244, Addis Ababa
A private facility serving embassies, international organisations and expatriates, on the UK Foreign Office list of English-speaking doctors and medical facilities in Ethiopia. The internal direct line is 8901. St Paul's Hospital in Gulele Sub City is the public alternative on the same list, on +251 91 066 0475.
Source