Eritrea declared its independence from Ethiopia only in 1991 and was internationally recognized two years later, however, the region has been embroiled in conflict and instability since 1961 and only in June 2018 the peace treaty between Ethiopia and Eritrea has been signed.

Traveling info

All visitors traveling to Eritrea are required to have a valid passport. Entry requirements vary depending on nationality. Visitors traveling from Uganda enjoy the luxury of visa-free access. All other visitors are required to obtain a visa however citizens of Sudan and Ethiopia can obtain a visa on arrival. Visitors who wish to drive in Eritrea must have both their national driving permit and an international driving permit. An IDP cannot be used alone to legally drive. It must always be complemented by the original driving permit.

Traveling hazards

The roads between major cities are paved and in relatively good condition, through winding mountain roads do not generally have guardrails. Secondary roads and roads in remote areas are usually unpaved and in poor condition. Visitors should avoid traveling on these roads, especially at night. Bad weather can also make the condition of poor roads worse. If you must take unpaved roads, check first with local government and village officials as new minefields continue to be discovered. Even in Asmara city, some road surfaces have deteriorated to dangerous conditions. Eritreans are found traveling on foot nearly everywhere due to lack of transportation, often dressed in dark clothing and in unlit areas at night, which creates unpredictable and dangerous situations on roads. Street lighting may not exist in some locations, and power outages continue to leave some neighborhoods in the dark. Landmines and unexploded ordnance litter the countryside in many areas, occasionally causing injuries and deaths. Although the UN conducted de-mining efforts until late 2007, evidence of new mines has been reported, particularly in areas near the Ethiopian border. All areas that are not well traveled are potentially dangerous due to living mines, especially north and west of Keren. There are also minefields near Massawa, Ghinda, Agordat, Barentu, south of Tesserae, Nakfa, Adi Keih, Arezza, Dekemhare, and in a roughly 40-kilometer wide region just west of the Eritrean Ethiopian border between the Setit and Mereb Rivers.

Environmental hazards

Eritrea despite its small size, has its fair share of some of the most incredible and potentially dangerous animals in Africa. There is a population of Elephants in Eritrea which have become completely isolated, with no gene flow from other elephant populations. They are the largest land animals and despite their docile nature, their sheer size makes them dangerous. If angered or startled, they can easily trample people, flip over cars or even break trees. There are numerous lethally venomous snakes which inhabit Eritrea. Most commonly sighted are the puff adders which alone are responsible for over 30 thousand deaths across Africa. Black mambas and cobras are among other commonly sighted snakes. Survival often depends on the proximity of the nearest hospital or the response of the emergency services. There have been no recorded shark attacks off the coast of Eritrea however neighboring countries have reported such incidents. Moreover, the Red Sea is known to be inhabited by numerous species of dangerous sharks.
Most commonly occurring natural hazards in Eritrea are storms, floods, and droughts. Reports indicate that storms are responsible for most economic damage and carry the biggest death toll.

Health hazards

The government of Eritrea requires proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival if you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever. There are other vaccinations which are recommended. These are the routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, meningitis and rabies vaccines. Malaria is present in Eritrea. This disease is carried by mosquitoes and there is no approved vaccination against it. There are however alternative ways to protect against mosquito bites such as mosquito repellents or mosquito nets. There is also medicine on prescription which should be available to anyone after consulting their local general practitioner. The decades of conflict put the healthcare system of Eritrea in a difficult position. The country is one of the poorest in the world and its healthcare system is no different. Existing facilities lack modern equipment, trained staff, and medical supplies. Services outside of Asmara range from only very basic to unavailable in some rural parts. Private facilities are exclusive to Asmara. Visitors who take prescribed drugs should stock up on their medicine before their trip as it may not be readily available in the country.
In case of an emergency dial 01 202914.

Crime

Although crime is present, particularly at certain hours and in certain locations, Asmara is generally safer than many capital cities. Although Asmara does not have the same level of street crime as other cities, visitors should exercise caution and common sense. There are dozens of neighborhoods and shopping areas throughout Asmara that attract residents and visitors alike and, therefore, petty criminals. Travelers should be aware of their surroundings and keep wallets/purses close to the body. Pickpockets and purse/bag snatchers are a cause of concern. Although previously rare, women are increasingly found to be involved in such thefts, which usually occur in crowded areas such as bus stops, stadiums, movie theatres, market places, and even places of worship. There are no terrorist groups indigenous to Eritrea making it an area with a low risk of terrorist activity. Possession of any narcotics in Eritrea is a criminal offense and will most likely result in jail time.

Summary

Eritrea is just in the aftermath of conflict which lasted decades. The country, however, is designated as safe by many travel advisories. Visitors, however, should not take this for granted and should exercise increased caution as widespread poverty caused by the years of conflict created a dangerous environment for visitors. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
http://www.embassyeritrea.org/visa.htm
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/eritrea