Travel Warnings for Countries in Africa

Travel warnings are regularly issued by the State Department in the US, for countries which are considered too dangerous for American citizens to travel to. The warnings often come as a response to civil war, terrorist attacks or outbreaks of life-threatening diseases like Ebola. Africa represents more than a third of all countries that have travel warnings in place, but most of them aren't exactly tourist hot spots.

Links to Canadian, UK and Australian government warnings are listed below. These are often a little more detailed and include more countries than the US warnings, so I'd advise all travelers to read them as well.

Elections often cause violence to erupt, both prior to election day (during rallies) and after the results come out. See IFES's election guide for upcoming elections in African countries.

Current US Travel Warnings for Countries in Africa

Travel warnings are current despite some being issued months ago. While I update as often as possible, please check directly with the State Dept for the latest news.

• Zimbabwe issued December 2008. The political instability and economic crisis in Zimbabwe has resulted in small-scale civil demonstrations and riots as well as outbreaks of diseases like cholera due to the deterioration of the public health system.

• Kenya issued November, 2008. Political unrest has all but vanished, but the US State Department still retains a travel warning for visitors to Kenya in the light of the high incidence of violent crime and possible threat from terrorists. For the most up to date information see the US Embassy web site based in Nairobi. Travelers should avoid the Kenya/Somali border.

• Chad issued November, 2008. Americans are advised to avoid all travel to the East of the country, avoid travel after dusk and always travel in groups.

• Burundi issued January, 2009. Americans are advised to take extreme care if traveling to Burundi because of the risk of sudden outbreaks of armed violence, acts of banditry, and cross-border incursion by rebel groups.

• Eritrea issued November, 2008. All foreign nationals need special permits to travel outside the capital Asmara. Avoid the border areas between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

• Somalia issued November, 2008. The travel warnings extends to all US citizens traveling to Somaliland as well as Somalia. Inter-clan and inter-factional fighting can flare up with little warning, and kidnapping, murder, and other threats to U.S. citizens and other foreigners can occur unpredictably in many regions.

• Central African Republic(CAR) issued on March, 2008. Americans are urged not to travel anywhere in CAR, the situation is volatile both in the capital and the rest of the country.

• Cote D'Ivoire issued December, 2008. The US government warns of a potentially volatile political situation as well as a high incidence of violent car-jackings, muggings and robberies.

• Nigeria issued December, 2008. This travel warning is mainly for the Niger Delta region of the country although the US considers the high level of crime throughout Nigeria reason enough to warn its citizens against travel there.

• Algeria issued August, 2008. Terrorist attacks have increased again in Algeria and the US Government urges tourists to use reputable hotels and tour companies if they still choose to go.

• Sudan issued October, 2008. while Sudan's civil war is officially over, regions like Darfur and the east of Sudan are still extremely dangerous. Restrictions on travel outside the capital Khartoum are in place for many foreigners.

• Democratic Republic of the Congo issued October, 2008. Random violence and lots of soldiers that still need to be de-mobilized, makes the Congo an unsafe country to visit. Recent violence in Eastern Congo makes this area entirely off-limits to all travelers.

Travel Warning Lists from other Governments

• Travel Warnings for UK Citizens
• Travel Warnings for Canadian Citizens
• Travel Warnings for Australian Citizens

Travel Alerts

Travel Alerts are issued for more short-term unrest in specific countries. Current travel alerts issued by the US State Dept. can be found here. At the time of writing, travel alerts had been issued for:

Madagascar -- issued January 28, 2009 (expires May, 2009). Unrest, violence, looting and burning in the capital Antananarivo. The young mayor of the capital is in disagreement with the current government of Madagascar.

Mali -- issued December 2008 (expires March 2009). Armed conflicts and kidnappings have been occurring with some frequency. Areas of particular concern include the Mali-Niger and Mali-Algeria borders, the Kidal region, and areas north of Timbuktu.