Do Not Travel
“There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.”
Updated Thu, 21 May 2026
Full advisory →Personalize Report NowTailor this report specifically to you and get the latest and most valuable insights with one click.8 districts
Is Mogadishu safe? 🇸🇴
Somalia · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Mogadishu scores 15/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No — Mogadishu remains extremely unsafe for independent travelers due to pervasive violent crime, terrorism, and armed conflict. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (severe risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Mogadishu 🇸🇴
Somalia · Assessed 10 September 2026
15
/ 100
Elevated risk — reconsider
Safer than ~4% 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
Crime29/100ElevatedCrime index 62.1 / 100
Sentiment22/100ElevatedMostly negative
Advisories0Elevated
Stability23Elevated
Health74Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
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 2026-06-26T14:53:16Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Somalia: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-09-09T10:13:48.140000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Elevated
Mugging & robbery risk
Severe risk
12
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
High risk
58
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
15 / 100 (Mostly negative)
15
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
2.6M residents
56
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.0 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
66
Robbery / mugging
SevereArmed robbery and mugging of foreigners are common in central districts, especially around Bakara Market and the airport perimeter
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag-snatching occur frequently in crowded transport hubs and near the port and university areas
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Elevated
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Elevated
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly negative
22/100
Reported feel15Mostly negative
Robbery risk12Severe risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveler reports indicate deep insecurity, with foreigners describing Mogadishu as unprepared for tourism and noting frequent bombings and clashes that make independent movement intolerably risky.
No — Mogadishu remains extremely unsafe for independent travelers due to pervasive violent crime, terrorism, and armed conflict.
Official advisories from the U.S., UK, and Canada uniformly warn against all travel to Mogadishu, citing extreme risks from terrorism, armed clashes, and criminal violence. The city’s safety profile reflects near-total breakdown in governance and rule of law, with foreigners routinely targeted for kidnapping, robbery, and extortion. While guided tours with armed security may mitigate risk for essential travel, spontaneous or unescorted movement is life-threatening.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Armed clashes erupted in Mogadishu ahead of a planned anti-government demonstration— NBC News
- Jun 2026Clashes occurred between Somali military and opposition-allied militias in the capital— Reuters
- Jun 2026Somali intelligence assisted in the U.S. arrest of an alleged leader of a Minnesota fraud ring— Al Jazeera
- Aug 2026Somalis protested in Mogadishu against comments made by Donald Trump— The Lufkin Daily News
Common scams
- Fake police or militia checkpoints demanding bribes or valuables
- Overcharging or non-delivery of services by unlicensed tour operators
- Impersonation of aid workers or officials to gain trust and extract money
Full briefing
Mogadishu is not safe for travelers. All major governments — including the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada — maintain Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisories for Somalia, citing imminent threats from terrorism, armed conflict, and criminal violence. The city operates in a state of near-constant insecurity, with Al-Shabaab and rival factions frequently launching attacks in the capital. Foreigners are high-value targets for kidnapping, robbery, and extortion, and movement without armed escort is effectively prohibited by both risk and practical reality.
Recent incidents confirm the volatility: in June 2026, armed clashes broke out ahead of planned anti-government demonstrations, with NBC News and Reuters reporting exchanges of fire between Somali security forces and opposition militias. Protests also occurred in August 2026 over foreign political commentary, demonstrating how quickly tensions can escalate. While not directly targeting tourists, such unrest creates unpredictable and dangerous conditions across the city, particularly near government sites, markets, and transport hubs.
For those with essential travel needs, the only viable option is to engage professional, locally grounded security providers — such as Sahan Tourism — that offer armed close protection, armored vehicles, and established protocols. Independent exploration, use of public transport, or staying in unsecured accommodations is extremely dangerous. Pickpocketing is common in crowded areas like the port and university zones, while armed robbery concentrates around Bakara Market and the airport periphery. Fake checkpoints and impersonation scams are widespread. Ult
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Mogadishu districts for visitors: 2 safer, 3 needing caution and 3 best avoided. See them plotted on the Mogadishu safety map.
Wadajir DistrictavoidHigh incidence of armed clashes between security forces and opposition groups; frequent IED explosions and gunfire reported in June 2026.
Shibis DistrictavoidKnown Al-Shabaab activity zone; site of targeted assassinations and bombings; extremely high risk for foreigners.
Bondere DistrictavoidNear Mogadishu International Airport perimeter; frequent smash-and-grab attacks on vehicles and militant targeting of foreign convoys.
Hodan DistrictcautionCentral business area with government offices; daytime movement possible with armed escort, but avoid after dark due to robbery and militant attack risks.
Abdiaziz DistrictcautionResidential and commercial mix; petty theft common in markets; violent crime spikes at night; requires local security escort.
Hamar Weyne DistrictcautionHistoric district with narrow streets; high pickpocketing and bag-snatching risk in markets; avoid walking alone after dark.
Hamar Jajab DistrictsaferRelatively stable coastal zone near the port; lower violent crime incidence; still requires vigilance against pickpocketing in crowded areas.
Karaan DistrictsaferAffluent residential area with better infrastructure; lower violent crime; still requires armed escort for foreigners due to kidnapping risk.
07 · After Dark
Is Mogadishu safe at night?
Armed robbery and mugging of foreigners are common in central districts, especially around Bakara Market and the airport perimeter
After dark, be most careful around Wadajir District, Shibis District, Bondere District, Hodan District. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Mogadishu safety FAQ (2026)
Is Mogadishu safe right now (2026)?
No — Mogadishu remains extremely unsafe for independent travelers due to pervasive violent crime, terrorism, and armed conflict. Official advisories from the U.S., UK, and Canada uniformly warn against all travel to Mogadishu, citing extreme risks from terrorism, armed clashes, and criminal violence. The city’s safety profile reflects near-total breakdown in governance and rule of law, with foreigners routinely targeted for kidnapping, robbery, and extortion. While guided tours with armed security may mitigate risk for essential travel, spontaneous or unescorted movement is life-threatening. (Assessed 10 September 2026.)
Is Mogadishu safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Mogadishu report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Mogadishu should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Wadajir District, Shibis District, Bondere District as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Mogadishu (2026)?
- Fake police or militia checkpoints demanding bribes or valuables
- Overcharging or non-delivery of services by unlicensed tour operators
- Impersonation of aid workers or officials to gain trust and extract money
How does Mogadishu compare with other places in Somalia (2026)?
Mogadishu ranks #3 of 3 Somalia destinations we've assessed, scoring 15/100. See the Somalia safety overview for the full list.
How is this mogadishu safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
More Somalia reports
2 reportsNearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Somalia safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: mogadishu.json (CC BY 4.0).