Africa - Travel Warnings in Ethiopia and Kenya

There seems to be some serious stuff going on right now:

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Ethiopia

Anybody knows how serious it is? I already got a ticket and thinking of cancelling.

Also, any cheap local airline (a la AirAsia in Asia) that I can fly with from Addis to Kenya, Tanzania or the rest of 'safe' africa?

Thanks!

There seems to be some serious stuff going on right now:

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Ethiopia

Anybody knows how serious it is? I already got a ticket and thinking of cancelling.

Also, any cheap local airline (a la AirAsia in Asia) that I can fly with from Addis to Kenya, Tanzania or the rest of 'safe' africa?

Thanks!

I'm in Addis a few times a year, and it would take a lot more than that to get me to cancel a trip.

When have you been there?

There is some crap going on there right now.

Also, how do you get to Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda or Uganda cheaply by flight?

There seems to be some serious stuff going on right now:

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Ethiopia

Anybody knows how serious it is? I already got a ticket and thinking of cancelling.

Also, any cheap local airline (a la AirAsia in Asia) that I can fly with from Addis to Kenya, Tanzania or the rest of 'safe' africa?

Thanks!

In NBO now. ET has $199+US return NBO-ADD, might be available in reverse as well. See their website.

The attacks in Kenya have (lately) been in the NE province, though there have been occasional isolated events elsewhere.

Thanks mate. What is ET?

How serious is the situation? Do you recommend coming to the region this month?

the rest of 'safe' africa?

Not to belittle any concerns you may have about Ethiopia, but there is no part of Africa that can realistically be considered "safe" if you would consider what is currently ongoing in Addis to be "unsafe".

Ahh damn, I've heard only good things about this continent. How safe it is compared to the common 'rumors' and stuff like that.

How unsafe really is it? I plan to go to Ethiopia/Kenya/Tanzania/Uganda/Malawi/Rwanda and maybe Mozambique, all by myself and 'off the beaten track' (love local experience), for 4-5 months or so. Is it so unsafe that I should consider canceling the trip or do it more 'touristic' ?

I just came back from South East Asia (7 months) and I felt extremely safe there, walking alone at dark alleys at 3am with a smile on my face ;)

There is some crap going on there right now.

Also, how do you get to Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda or Uganda cheaply by flight?

If you're paranoid about a crackdown on a demonstration in Addis, Africa probably isn't the continent for you.

I typically fly ET, EX-ADD, for east africa flights.

The current situation isn't problematic. Of course, that could change, hence the travel warnings.

You should always take general percautions when traveling to a foreign city, even more in some of the cities you mention. You may choose to stay away from western hotels, for example, or keep from busy nightclubs - both of which have been targets in the past.

How unsafe really is it? I plan to go to Ethiopia/Kenya/Tanzania/Uganda/Malawi/Rwanda and maybe Mozambique, all by myself and 'off the beaten track' (love local experience), for 4-5 months or so. Is it so unsafe that I should consider canceling the trip or do it more 'touristic' ?

If you have to ask the question, you are probably better off starting "touristic" and then graduating to your proposed itinerary on a future trip.

It is not that Africa is unsafe, but it is not for the naive. Research, intel and experience are the best guarantors of safety.

Thanks mate. What is ET?

ET is the code for Ethiopian Airlines (Star Alliance member).

If you have to ask the question, you are probably better off starting "touristic" and then graduating to your proposed itinerary on a future trip.

It is not that Africa is unsafe, but it is not for the naive. Research, intel and experience are the best guarantors of safety.

I've already traveled extensively in the past years, always alone and 'off-the-path', though that was in the U.S, Europe and South East Asia. I also come from a very problematic country naturally (Israel) and have been to the army for 3 years at war time. I just don't want to make a stupid move and go unarmed to a warzone, especially being an Israeli and having all these Muslim terrorist groups around.

Kenya:

On 20 July 2012, Kenyan authorities alerted the public to a threat from Somali-based militants to carry out terrorist attacks in Kenya during Ramadan, which began on 21 July 2012. Security has been tightened in response.

On 22 June 2012, the US Embassy in Nairobi warned that it had received information of an imminent threat of a terrorist attack in Mombasa. On 24 June 2012, a bomb explosion at a nightclub in Mombasa reportedly killed three people and injured a number of others. We continue to recommend that you exercise particular caution in Mombasa at this time.

Ethiopia:

We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Ethiopia, including Addis Ababa, because of the high 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.

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

If you're paranoid about a crackdown on a demonstration in Addis, Africa probably isn't the continent for you.

I typically fly ET, EX-ADD, for east africa flights.

What airport exactly is EX ?

Thanks for all the very valuable info, you guys rock and I appreciate every snippet of text you have typed. It helps me form a more intelligent decision.

What airport exactly is EX ?



Ex-ADD means "departing from ADD".

Africa is very different to Asia for backpack travelers. Things work and things don't work. Border crossings by road can be onerous.

There are no low cost carriers as such in East Africa that will give you super cheap fares. In fact travel within Africa is some of the most expensive in the world. I pay around US$300 - 400 for NBO - EBB return or even to DAR.

While there are travel warnings in place, it is all about being a sensible traveller.