Safety Guide — Travelling with Visit Horn of Africa

Visit Horn of Africa is committed to honest, evidence-based safety communication. We do not oversell dangerous destinations, and we will tell clients when a destination is not currently safe to visit. Every destination on our portfolio has been assessed by our team based on first-hand operational experience.

Somaliland

Safety Level: Moderate. Somaliland proper (Hargeisa, Berbera, Sheikh, Laas Geel) has maintained stability since 1991. The UK FCO and US State Department do not issue Level 4 (Do Not Travel) warnings for Somaliland itself. Travel with a registered guide is standard and recommended. Avoid border areas with Somalia and Ethiopia.

Djibouti

Safety Level: Good. Djibouti is one of the most stable countries in the Horn of Africa and hosts multiple Western military bases. Standard urban precautions apply in Djibouti City.

Ethiopia

Safety Level: Moderate (varies by region). Addis Ababa, Lalibela, and the main tourist circuit are generally safe. Avoid Tigray and border regions. Check current FCO/State Dept advisories before travel.

Eritrea

Safety Level: Moderate. Eritrea is politically stable but tightly controlled. Photography restrictions apply. Travel with Visit Horn of Africa’s vetted guides is essential.

Socotra Island

Safety Level: Moderate. Socotra itself has remained separate from Yemen’s mainland conflict. Access is via Abu Dhabi or Cairo. Our team monitors conditions continuously.

East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda)

Safety Level: Good. All four countries have well-established tourism infrastructure and strong safety records for travellers. Standard precautions apply.

Our Safety Policy

• All tours include pre-departure safety briefings
• Named, experienced guides on the ground at all times
• 24-hour emergency contact during all active tours
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
• We monitor FCO, US State Dept, and AU advisories continuously