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The Level 3 advisory and its Level 4 sub-zones put a substantial part of Ethiopia off-limits. As of the 27 August 2026 advisory the Amhara Region is Do Not Travel in its entirety — that covers Lalibela, Gondar and the Simien Mountains — and Axum is in Tigray, also Do Not Travel in full. The Oromia Region is Do Not Travel except Bishoftu and Bale Mountains National Park, which restricts much of the Rift Valley lake circuit. The realistic itinerary is Addis Ababa, where State Dept describes the security situation as stable, plus Bishoftu, Bale Mountains National Park, and the Danakil Depression with armed escort and verified security clearance from a reputable licensed operator — Danakil has a documented attack history on tourist groups in 2007; 2012; and 2017. EXIT BANS: Ethiopian law does not recognize dual citizenship and treats dual nationals as foreigners. Dual citizens who entered on Ethiopian passports have been heavily fined when authorities discovered they also held US passports, and State Dept records cases of US citizens assessed more than $100,000 in immigration fines and prevented from leaving until those were resolved. Exit bans are strictly enforced and apply to minors. Anyone obtaining a first US passport while in Ethiopia, including children documented with a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, should immediately obtain a visa or residency permit. Landmines and unexploded ordnance are present in the Somali region near the Somalia border and are often unmarked. Violent crime is more common after dark — do not walk or drive at night. LGBTQ+ travelers: same-sex relations are criminalized — exercise extreme discretion throughout Ethiopia.

Dakar is generally safe by West African standards — petty theft; pickpocketing; and price scamming of tourists are the primary concerns at Soumbédioune market; Sandaga market; and beach areas. The Plateau neighborhood and residential areas of Point E and Mermoz are safest. Avoid displaying valuables and walking alone after dark in less-touristed areas. Casamance region: verify current security status before travel — historically active separatist conflict; situation has been calm since approximately 2020 but confirmation recommended with US Embassy before finalizing itinerary.

Stay alert in tourist areas; Djemaa el-Fna; souks; and transport hubs per terrorism Level 2 advisory. Any animal contact (dog bite; cat scratch; bat exposure) requires immediate wound washing and medical evaluation — active Rabies Level 1 CDC THN. Solo female travelers: heightened caution in medinas; rural areas; and after dark — harassment is documented. Keep valuables secured in medina environments — pickpocketing and distraction theft are common in crowded souks. Rif Mountains (Ketama area): avoid without specific guidance — cannabis trade creates law enforcement complications for tourists. Be aware of earthquake risk if visiting High Atlas areas or Marrakech — know your hotel's emergency procedures.

Windhoek's crime risk is moderate — smash-and-grab; mugging; and home invasion are the most common serious crimes. Keep car doors locked and valuables out of sight in vehicles; avoid walking alone after dark in Katutura (Windhoek township) and less-touristed city areas. Remote areas of Namibia are extremely safe from crime — the vast emptiness and sparse population make crime against tourists rare outside urban centers. Critically: drive with extreme caution after dark outside major cities — livestock on unfenced roads are a major fatal accident hazard; collisions with cattle and wildlife are common and can be deadly. Hitchhiking is specifically warned against in the State Dept advisory due to high personal risk.

DO NOT TRAVEL to Rusizi District within 6.2 miles of DRC border or Rubavu District within 6.2 miles of DRC border — Level 4. Verify current security situation for Volcanoes National Park and Musanze before gorilla trekking — park is in Musanze District which borders the Level 4 Rubavu District; confirm with Rwanda Development Board (+250-252-576-514) and US Embassy Kigali before finalizing trekking dates. Gorilla trekking health rules: no trekking if you have any respiratory illness or symptoms; maintain 21 feet distance from gorillas; no flash photography; no touching gorillas.

Crimes of opportunity (theft; smash-and-grab; mugging) are the primary security concern in Gaborone and urban areas. Safari lodge environments have very low crime risk. Keep valuables secured in vehicles at all times; use hotel safe; avoid leaving items in view in locked vehicles at shopping centers. Standard common-sense urban safety precautions apply to Gaborone.

Accra has moderate crime risk — petty theft; pickpocketing; and bag snatching at crowded markets; beaches; and tourist sites. Secure valuables in Makola Market; Tema Station; and Accra Central areas. Some Accra beaches (Labadi; Bojo) have strong rip currents — swim only in designated safe areas. The northern regions have higher security risk and limited tourist infrastructure. Women travelers: exercise specific caution after dark and in less-touristed areas per the Level 2 advisory. LGB travelers: legal and social risk is documented — exercise significant discretion throughout Ghana.

LEVEL 4 — DO NOT TRAVEL: within 10 kilometres (6 miles) of the Syria and Iraq borders. LEVEL 3 — RECONSIDER TRAVEL: southeast Türkiye (the named provinces). The country overall is Level 2 (advisory dated April 28 2026). The March 9 2026 ordered departure from Consulate General Adana remains in effect and US Consulate Adana has suspended all consular services — contact US Embassy Ankara or US Consulate Istanbul instead. Heightened anti-US and anti-Israel sentiment nationwide — exercise increased caution; avoid conspicuous identification; avoid political discussions; stay away from demonstrations; be particularly cautious near US government facilities and Israeli or Jewish community locations. Arbitrary detention risk is real: do not post social media critical of the Turkish government or military; avoid any activities that could be construed as political organizing or intelligence gathering. Türkiye does not recognize dual US-Turkish nationality — Turkish-American dual citizens are treated as Turkish citizens by Turkish authorities.