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 advices against travel
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support may be limited where FCDO advises against travel.
International border areas
FCDO Advice against all travel within:
- 20km from 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 the Tigray region west of the Tekeze river and within 10km of the internal border with Amhara region.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the remainder of the 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:
- 10km of the border with Eritrea
Gambella region
FCDO advises against all travel to Gambella region.
Oromia region
FCDO Advice 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 advices against all but essential travel to:
- all of East Shewa zone except the Addis to Adama Expressway and 10km either side of the expressway between Addis Ababa and Bishoftu.
- the A4 road between Addis Ababa and Cheliya, except for the section in the Finfine special zone.
- all of North Shewa Zone
- West Guji and Guji zones
Somali Regional State
FCDO Advice against all travel 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 advices against all but essential travel to:
- the Siti zone
- the Nogob (previously Fik)
- Jarar (formerly Degehabur)
- Shabelle (formerly 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 Advice against all travel:
- 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 traveling 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 travelers
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.