Yemen Travel Guide (January 2026 Update)
Important Warning: Yemen remains one of the world’s most dangerous destinations due to ongoing civil war, armed conflict, terrorism, kidnappings, and severe humanitarian crisis. All major governments (US, UK, Canada, Australia, etc.) advise against all travel to Yemen, including Socotra in some cases. The situation escalated in late 2025 with renewed fighting in southern Yemen between Saudi-backed forces and UAE-supported separatists, including airstrikes and territorial seizures in Hadramawt and al-Mahra. As of early 2026, the truce has broken, risking wider instability. Travel insurance is unlikely to cover Yemen, and evacuation options are limited. This guide is informational only—proceed at extreme personal risk.
Current Accessible Areas
Tourism is extremely limited. The only regions occasionally visited by intrepid travelers are:
- Hadramawt Governorate (Mainland South Yemen): Home to stunning mud-brick architecture. Organized group tours resumed in recent years but face disruptions from late 2025 clashes.
- Shibam: UNESCO-listed “Manhattan of the Desert” with ancient mud skyscrapers.
- Wadi Daw’an: Cliff-perched villages like Haid al-Jazil and Qarn Majid.
- Tarim & Seiyun: Historic mosques and souqs.
- Socotra Island: Isolated and biodiverse “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean,” unaffected by mainland conflict. Tourism continues with direct charters from Abu Dhabi.
Northern Yemen (including Sana’a) and most southern/western areas remain inaccessible due to active fighting and Houthi control.
How to Visit (If You Insist)
- Organized Tours Only: Independent travel is impossible. Book with reputable operators specializing in high-risk destinations (e.g., Young Pioneer Tours, Against the Compass, Untamed Borders). They handle security, permits, and armed escorts where needed.
- Entry Points:
- Mainland: Flights from Cairo to Seiyun (Yemenia, weekly) or overland from Oman (Sarfait/Hawf crossing—intermittent).
- Socotra: Direct charters from Abu Dhabi (Air Arabia); some via Cairo/Aden.
- Visa: Arranged by tour operator (approval letter required; stamped on arrival, ~$100-150 USD). No embassy issuance for tourists.
Safety Considerations
- High risks of kidnapping (especially Westerners), terrorism (AQAP/IS), airstrikes, and landmines.
- Recent Saudi-UAE rift has destabilized southern Yemen further.
- Socotra is safest but isolated—medical facilities minimal.
Yemen’s cultural and natural wonders are extraordinary, but the risks far outweigh rewards for most. Monitor advisories closely and reconsider travel until stability returns.