Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers .

We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Ethiopia, including Addis Ababa, because of the threat of terrorist attack against Western interests and ongoing political tensions. If you do decide to travel to Ethiopia, you should exercise extreme caution and avoid crowds. Australians could be caught up in attacks directed at others.

We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

African Union Summit in May 2013: The African Union 50th Anniversary Summit will take place in Addis Ababa from 20 May to 28 May 2013. With a large number of dignitaries in attendance, local authorities have implemented heightened security measures around the event (see under ?Local travel? for more information). These measures may include vehicle searches and other checks upon entering venues that may be frequented by foreigners such as international hotels. Australians should be particularly vigilant in the lead up to and during such international meetings in Addis Ababa, as militants may use such an occasion to mount attacks. You are advised to monitor the media regularly, assess your personal security at all times, and follow the advice of local authorities over this period.

Some local hotels, including the Hilton and the Ghion, have received bomb threats in the past.

Terrorist incidents include:

• On 20 May 2012, tourists travelling by vehicle between the towns of El Dima and Kibbish, West Omo, were fired upon by a gunman.
• In January 2012, five foreign tourists were killed and two kidnapped from the Afar region (Danakil Desert area). The kidnapped tourists were released in March 2012.
• In January 2009, an explosion occurred at a bus station in the Mercato Market area of western Addis Ababa injuring 32 people.
• In May 2008, a bomb exploded on a local minibus travelling from Arat Kilo to Meskel Square near the Ethiopian Mapping Agency in the Kirkos sub-city district of the capital Addis Ababa. Six people were killed and seven people injured.
• In April 2008, explosions occurred at two petrol stations in Addis Ababa. Three people were killed and 19 injured.
• In March 2007, a group of Western nationals, including some members of staff from the British Embassy in Addis Ababa, were kidnapped in the Afar region (Danakil Desert area), north east Ethiopia. Media reports suggest that the rebels who claimed responsibility for the kidnappings had said they would abduct other foreigners who entered their territory.

You should be particularly vigilant in the lead up to and on days of national or religious significance, or international meetings in Addis Ababa, as militants may use these occasions to mount attacks.

In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. These include commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners such as hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, markets, shops, places of worship, outdoor recreation events, landmarks, public gatherings, tourist areas, embassies and government buildings. Aircraft, airports, petrol stations, buses, railways and other transport infrastructure are also possible terrorist targets (see under Local Travel below).

Ogaden area in the Somali Region of eastern Ethiopia: We strongly advise you not to travel to the Ogaden area in the Somali Region of eastern Ethiopia due to extremely dangerous security situation due to ongoing conflict, the threat of terrorist attack and the persistent high threat of kidnapping.

Credible reporting indicates that militants may be planning to conduct attacks, including cross-border kidnappings, in eastern Ethiopia. The US Government has warned on two occasions in 2013 that it continues to receive information indicating a kidnapping threat to Westerners along Ethiopia?s border with Somalia. This follows a similar warning issued by the US Government on 8 January 2013 for the eastern portion of the Somali Region State of Ethiopia.

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it does not make payments or concessions to kidnappers. The Australian Government considers that paying a ransom increases the risk of further kidnappings, including of other Australians. If you do decide to travel to an area where there is a particular threat of kidnapping, you should ensure you have personal security measures in place, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance. For more information about kidnapping, see our Kidnapping Threat travel bulletin.
The rebel Ogaden National Liberation Front has claimed responsibility for an attack in Obele in the Ogaden area in which 74 people, including nine Chinese nationals, were killed by gunmen in April 2007. It has warned the Ogaden area is a battle zone and it will not guarantee the safety of any firm operating in the area.

From late February 2011, the ongoing conflict along the border with Somalia has intensified. Heavy fighting has been reported on the Ethiopia-Somalia border and the Kenya-Somalia border. The risk of violent attacks and terrorist acts has increased.

On 14 and 15 July 2012, demonstrations in the Merccato Market area of Addis Ababa turned violent, resulting in deaths. We advise you to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings throughout the country as they may turn violent. International events and political developments may trigger large demonstrations. You should monitor the media and other local news sources for safety information.

Conflict in neighbouring countries could spill over into Ethiopia, particularly along the border with Somalia. Ethiopian and Somali government forces have been fighting militant groups and, although the fighting has been only in Somalia, there is potential for insurgent attacks to be directed at Ethiopia.

In the past, explosions in Addis Ababa targeted government institutions, public areas, public transportation, restaurants and cafes resulting in death and injury.

Ethiopian security forces do not have a widespread presence in the country and may not have the capacity to respond to incidents.

Border with Kenya : We strongly advise you not to travel to the areas bordering Kenya due to the presence of armed groups and landmines. Cross-border violence occurs, including kidnapping, armed banditry, and violent tribal and clan disputes.

Border with Somalia : We strongly advise you not to travel to the areas bordering Somalia due to violent clashes between government forces and insurgents. Ethiopian troops are in Somalia and tensions in the border region remain extremely high. Somali and Ethiopian government troops have been involved in violent clashes with militant insurgents since December 2006. Firearm, grenade and landmine attacks on security forces are common. Civilians have been killed and injured. All travel to the Ogaden area of the Somali Region should also be avoided due to the dangerous security situation.

From late February 2011, the ongoing conflict along the border with Somalia has intensified. Heavy fighting has been reported on the Ethiopia-Somalia border and the Kenya-Somalia border. The risk of violent attacks and terrorist acts has increased.

Border with Sudan and South Sudan, including the Gambella Region : We strongly advise you not to travel to the areas bordering Sudan and South Sudan, including the Gambella Region, due to the presence of armed groups, inter-tribal clashes and landmines and the risk of banditry and kidnapping. The security situation in these areas is extremely dangerous and there is a high risk of violent crime and civil unrest. Continuing unrest and sporadic violence in this region has led to the deaths of many people, including a number of UN personnel. The security situation remains volatile and could escalate without warning.

Border with Eritrea : We also strongly advise you not to travel to the disputed border area between Ethiopia and Eritrea due to the extremely dangerous security situation and the presence of landmines. This includes the Danakil desert area bounded by the Dessie-Adigrat road, the Dessie-Djbouti road and the Ethiopia-Eritrea border. In January 2012, five western tourists were killed and two kidnapped by gunmen in the Danakil desert area. The kidnapped tourists were released in March 2012. In April 2009, two Ethiopians were killed and a foreign tourist injured when a landmine exploded in the Danakil desert area. In 2007, three British nationals were kidnapped in the same region, they were released after being held for several months.

A peace agreement signed between Ethiopia and Eritrea in 2000 is yet to be fully implemented and the border is heavily militarised and remains closed. Both sides are on heightened alert and political tensions remain high. Hostilities could escalate at any time. In March 2012, Ethiopian military forces attacked military bases inside Eritrea. In March 2008, eight people were killed and 11 injured when a bus exploded as it left a bus station in the border town of Humera. There are no direct flights between the two countries. See also our travel advice for Eritrea .

There has been an increase in violent assaults against foreigners in Addis Ababa, including in areas around the Hilton and Sheraton Hotels and the Bole Road.

Pickpocketing, bag and jewellery snatching and other petty crimes are common in crowded areas, especially in the Mercato open air market, Piazza areas, and tourist areas near the main post office of Addis Ababa. These crimes are often carried out by groups of young children. Visitors should avoid walking alone at night. A number of recent robbery victims have been assaulted after refusing to hand over their property.

Highway banditry and armed carjacking have been reported outside the main urban centres. When driving you should ensure that car doors are locked, windows are up and that valuables are kept out of sight. When parked, you should ensure that valuables are kept out of sight.

Due to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance.

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas. Australian dollars cannot be changed in Ethiopia. US dollars can be changed in most banks. There are limited ATMs in Addis Ababa; these are mostly in large hotels.

Currency controls are strict in Ethiopia. All foreign currency must be declared on arrival and departure. Currency on departure is limited to a maximum of US$3000. You may export up to 200 birr.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority .

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

Please refer to our air travel for information about aviation safety and security.

There are conservative standards of behaviour and dress in Ethiopia. You should take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.

The Julian calendar is used in Orthodox Christian areas in the highlands, while Ethiopians set their clocks differently to what is customary elsewhere, resulting in significant time differences. To avoid confusion, always check bookings and appointments.

Ethiopia does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit our ability to provide consular assistance to Australian/Ethiopian dual nationals who are arrested or detained.

Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Some areas of Ethiopia are experiencing severe drought after four years of below average rainfall. Local services and the availability of water and basic food may be affected. An increase in disease has also been reported.

Ethiopia is in an active earthquake and volcanic zone.

The rainy season is from July to September when flooding may occur and some roads can become impassable.

Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service . If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children page.