Africa · Updated
As of October 2026, Somalia scores 19/100 on the IsMyTripSafe safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. The U.S. State Department rates Somalia Level 4: Do Not Travel. Of the 3 Somalia destinations assessed, Hargeisa scores highest (20/100), while Alula scores lowest (16/100).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Somalia · Assessed 19 October 2026
19
/ 100
Safer than ~6% of countries
Score capped at 20 — Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Do Not Travel
“Do not travelto Somalia due to risk of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, health, landmines, systematic mistreatment of women, systematic mistreatment of gay and lesbian individuals, piracy, abuse of residents in rehabilitation centers, and confiscation of passports by family members. Do not travel to Somalia for any reason.”
Updated Thu, 21 May 2026
Full advisory →Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel Parts of Somalia, including Somaliland FCDO advises against all travel to Somalia, including Somaliland, except for the regions of Awdal, Maroodijeh, and Sahil.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:16:15Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Somalia: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-10-15T08:42:29.5111915-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
SevereArmed robbery and carjacking are frequent in Mogadishu and along major roads, especially at night.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in markets and transit hubs in Mogadishu, Hargeisa, and Berbera.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly negative
22/100
Traveler reports indicate widespread fear of violence, with few feeling safe outside heavily guarded compounds; trust in local security remains low even among guided tour participants.
No. Somalia remains extremely dangerous for travelers due to pervasive terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict.
Government advisories uniformly warn against all travel to Somalia, citing extreme risks from al-Shabaab attacks, clan-based violence, piracy, and systemic crime. The country scores 18/100 on the composite safety index, reflecting near-worst performance in conflict, governance, and institutions. While Somaliland reports relatively lower violence, no area is considered safe for independent travel.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Somalia’s security situation remains critical, with armed clashes reported in Mogadishu as recently as June 2026 amid election-related tensions. Al-Shabaab continues to launch attacks on government sites and civilian areas, while piracy has seen a resurgence linked to regional maritime instability. Kidnapping for ransom remains a persistent threat to foreigners, particularly in southern and central regions, though even Somaliland is not immune to sporadic violence. Travelers face extreme risks from crime, terrorism, and sudden outbreaks of violence with little to no reliable police response.
Government advisories from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada all maintain Level 4 warnings, explicitly stating that no part of Somalia is safe for travel. The U.S. State Department cites not only terrorism and kidnapping but also systemic mistreatment of women and LGBTQ+ individuals, landmines, and passport confiscation by family members as risks. While some guided tour operators claim safety through armed escorts and convoys, independent movement is strongly discouraged, and even protected travel carries inherent danger due to the unpredictability of militant activity.
For those who proceed despite warnings, survival depends on extreme precautions: using only vetted security providers with close protection teams, avoiding all public gatherings and known militant targets, varying routes and schedules, and never using public transport. Health risks are significant, with limited medical facilities and ongoing concerns for polio, dengue, and measles. Ultimately, the consensus across intelligence, government, and on-the-ground reporting is clear: Somalia is not a destination for tourism, and any travel should be considered only for essential, highly secured purposes.
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06 · Destinations
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07 · Questions
The U.S. State Department currently rates Somalia Level 4 of 4 — Do Not Travel. On our composite index Somalia scores 19/100. See the destination reports above for city-level detail. (Updated 20 October 2026.)
Of the destinations we've assessed, Hargeisa currently scores highest at 20/100 (High Risk). Alula scores lowest at 16/100.
Directly from public sources: US, UK and Canadian government advisories, World Bank and UNODC crime statistics, WHO health data, live air-quality, disaster and earthquake feeds — plus AI field research over current local reporting. Read the full methodology.
