Ethiopia

Once an icon of misery, Ethiopia is coming out of the shadows.

Travelling in Ethiopia won't be everyone's cup of chai: there's not much tourist infrastructure here, and checking your email rivals carrier pigeon for speed. But the landscape is splendid, the people are welcoming, the sense of history is tangible and you won't have to worry about crowds of tourists.

Political violence flares up now and then in Addis Ababa. Travellers should monitor local news and stay clear of any mass demonstrations.

Travel to the Eritrean border military zone - in the Tigray and Afar regions - should be avoided. The border itself is permanently closed. Ethnic tensions dog the west of the country. Borders with Kenya, Somalia and Sudan are also very dangerous with an extreme risk to traveller's security.

Check out Safe Travel for updated government warnings or the Thorn Tree travel forum for some good advice from travellers.