Is Addis Ababa safe to visit right now? (November 2026)

Travel advisories for Ethiopia

What the advice says

• The US State Department advisory is Level 3 - Reconsider Travel, dated August 27, 2026; this is a country-level rating, not specific to Addis Ababa.
• The UK FCDO (updated October 30, 2026) warns of a high terrorism threat across Ethiopia, with attacks possibly targeting westerners in places like restaurants, hotels, bars, markets, and transit hubs, and around religious and national events such as Ethiopian Christmas, Timket, Meskel, and Irreecha.
• Al-Shabaab, based in Somalia, poses a threat across East Africa and has stated intentions for further attacks near the Ethiopia-Somalia border.
• There have been reports of attacks and possible drone strikes on military installations, including in Addis Ababa; travelers should avoid debris from military activity and stay clear of military sites and large gatherings or demonstrations.
• In Addis Ababa, travelers of Amhara, Tigrayan, or Oromo ethnicity may face increased scrutiny at checkpoints and at Bole International Airport; the FCDO notes a small number of arbitrary detentions of British nationals and advises carrying a paper copy of your passport.
• Crime against foreign nationals, including mugging and knifepoint robbery, has increased in the Bole Medhanealem, Bole Atlas, Meskel Square, Yeka Hills, and Entoto areas; solo travelers should stay alert in crowds, avoid displaying valuables, and be cautious after dark, particularly in these districts.
• Petty theft, including pickpocketing and distraction scams involving begging or feigned illness, is reported around Bole International Airport; keeping bags and phones secure in crowded public places is advised.