Dear Tourists:
Come and See Eritrea, no matter what
Eritrea(ns) are not afraid of the truth, though some may not be outgoing or bitter because of life experiences. Observe both sides. Eritrea has been, of course, complicated, but interesting, and the people are beautiful. Eritrea needs to enhance its visa processing method and encourage visitors to come in.
Eritrea remains one of the least visited countries in the world for a reason. The visa isn’t the easiest to obtain and just this year, it became even harder. On top of the visa issues, in order to travel anywhere outside of the capital – Asmara, or attend national events you need each individual permit. These permits aren’t the easiest to obtain due to the country’s bureaucracy and they’re often rejected.
But don’t let this stop you.Eritrea is a country with friendly locals and as a tourist, you don’t have to worry about safety.
Casual visitors and curious observers are all welcome. See some comments shared:
Zhanna
Oct 22, 2018 at 8:01 pm | Reply
Once I started reading this post, I could not stop until I finished. Great article! I’m glad you shared both sides and your own experiences.
Steve
Mar 19, 2019 at 4:02 am | Reply
You white folks are not wanted in Eritrea or anywhere else in Africa, go back to the caves of Europe.
Steve Whiteman
Mar 19, 2019 at 5:31 pm | Reply
ok STEVE
))
Efrem Elifo
Sep 3, 2019 at 8:08 pm | Reply
Steve,
I don’t understand why are you being hateful while your last name is “Whiteman”!
Janie
Oct 24, 2019 at 7:48 am | Reply
Thank you for presenting “both sides”. It’s such a tragedy that after so
many years of war, Eritreans are oppressed and worse in their own land.
I’d like to visit a free Eritrea some day soon, where people did not
need to flee in order to survive or have any freedom.
Dawit
Jan 11, 2020 at 3:44 am | Reply
Thanks for accurately describing the Eritrean situation. Btw, it is ‘Prison Break’ that most of the young watch at the internet cafes. Just to learn how to escape from the giant prison called Eritrea
Noelle
Oct 22, 2018 at 11:21 pm | Reply
Great article about a place that I had never even thought about visiting. Interesting to hear about the situation there and amazing that you went the length to get
the true story about what it’s like.
jaime
Oct 23, 2018 at 4:01 am | Reply
Wow !! Too brave, to go , to any African or Islamic country. Many criminals & deceivers $$, around them. I even got cheated,,some, from a Uganda Af., couple. And, much, a USA friend, from Kenia Af. I think you over expose, for a vanity foolishness. But its, your life, and I’m, sorry for you. God has keep you well, and I hoppe, He continues doing it, for you and your husband Matt. Because Life is very precious, ( as your person is ), to take that and other risks , that you have taken . Even traveling is an unnecesary risk
. ( I write you this, because of the appreciation to you both, through your ig postings, hopping , will do some good ).
Renuka Walter
Oct 23, 2018 at 6:43 pm | Reply
You are right,
I had never heard of Eritrea until I stumbled upon this blog post.
Well, it looks like a nice city. And, I’m glad to know that you really explored it deeply. There are some hard facts about the country that you came up with. It was definitely not a usual travel experience for you.
Eva
Oct 26, 2018 at 8:19 pm | Reply
Wow, what a great article! Thank you for reminding us of the
excitement of getting out of our comfort zones and showing us such a different place. I’ve really enjoyed reading it throughout. Thanks
Petit
Oct 26, 2018 at 10:38 pm | Reply
I love reading posts like this! It really transports you to a different place. So today,
I could experience a bit of Eritrea thanks to you and your travels, thanks!
Matt
Oct 27, 2018 at 5:23 pm | Reply
Of course,
you somehow managed to find a beach camel again…
Loved this write-up!
It’s nice to get a glimpse of what it’s like to travel to these lesser-known countries.
Ella Mac
Oct 29, 2018 at 11:10 am | Reply
Thanks for writing this awesome article and examples helped alot..please keep on writing
Thank you for sharing information with us.
Adam Hales
Oct 31, 2018 at 11:51 am | Reply
The places you have mentioned are the very best. Thanks for sharing such
a nice information
Julia Larson
Nov 1, 2018 at 7:30 pm | Reply
I have never heard of Eritrea either before reading this post. It’s amazing that you exploring and documenting all of these interesting places around the world.
Ava Mac
Nov 2, 2018 at 10:18 am | Reply
Hi,
Informative article!
Thanks for sharing such an useful Information. This is truly a great read for me!! Once again, thanks for the quality articles you post on your blog
Riley @ Riley's Roves
Nov 14, 2018 at 2:19 pm | Reply
Wow! What a great post about
a nearly unheard of destination. Thanks for all of your advice and information.
Grimsa
Nov 15, 2018 at 9:20 am | Reply
I loved reading this article…
So much to learn about Eritrea..Thank you for sharing !!
Yosef Debessay
Dec 8, 2019 at 6:49 am | Reply
What an interesting article. Thanks for introducing our country and the situation so genuinely .
It is in deed a scratch of the facts that in the country is really happening as you said, but simply wonderful presented.
A great appreciation and admiration for your efforts from an Eritrean living in abroad.
Triaz
Dec 3, 2018 at 9:04 am | Reply
Nice Blog .
You have shared lot of information about Eritrea. Thank you.
Sarah
Dec 6, 2018 at 4:06 am | Reply
This is an interesting article! Thank you for sharing about your experience in Eritrea!
Philemon Kesete
Feb 24, 2019 at 7:45 am | Reply
Wonderful Article about Eritrea. I couldnt agree more.
Elise
Feb 27, 2019 at 5:47 pm | Reply
great article!
Do you have contact details you are willing to share for local guides etc?
Anna
Feb 27, 2019 at 6:40 pm | Reply
The company is called Asmara Grande.
anjci
Mar 1, 2019 at 1:22 pm | Reply
Hey Anna, I am well familiar with Eritrean pro-government
Twitter trolls. It seems that their comments are roughly split in two: if you post something positive about anything, they retweet endlessly thank you for showing Eritrea as it “really is”, whatever that means – if not, then lo and behold, it will be
a Twitter war. I have had many such entertaining discussions. Nice article, though not sure it was a Turkish bank that got bombed in Massawa. Did you mean Banca d’Italia?
On another note, I love your blog name. My name is also Anna, and my page name is along the same lines! : )
Beth
Mar 4, 2019 at 11:13 am | Reply
There always seems to be comparison with other African nations when discussing Eritrea. We’re all unique in our own way and I don’t see the need to compare. That being said,
Eritreans are friendly and dignified.
Nati
Mar 5, 2019 at 7:34 pm | Reply
I am proud of you may dear to visit to my lovely country .
abdou
Mar 27, 2019 at 8:29 am | Reply
Loved this post! So many great things
thanks for sharing such a useful information.
Barry Ingenthron
May 18, 2019 at 9:00 am | Reply
I dated a young lady from Eretria. She was a wonderful, kind and loving woman. She managed to move to Canada. She had shared experiences that she had from the war with Ethiopia.
It’s sad to see such wonderful people have such horrible experiences in their own country. She truly loves her country. God bless them all. I hope their conditions improve.
Bin
Jul 3, 2019 at 7:00 pm | Reply
Hello, as I read this story, I was thinking to myself this is a pretty shallow observation of Eritrea. But at the end of the article
you have come to admit that you “barely scratched the surface” and I respect you for that because that is exactly what you did, although some of your claim is factually wrong and pretty much a repeat of the accusation that all those “researchers” that never set foot in the country accused the Eritrean government of.
You in fact went farther and make a bold claim saying “80% of Eritreans not happy with their life situation”, according to who? This type of baseless tourist observation is that gets propagated and a false portrait of a country is painted. Thank you for sharing your experience all the same.
Emma
Jul 16, 2019 at 10:42 pm | Reply
I went to Eritrea last year and took my kids. We had a great.
My 11 yr old son said its the place he likes best as he felt at home there. We went to keren, Asmara, and Massawa. We paid a local fishermen to take us out to a desert island in the red sea. We visited the tank graveyard and the metal market.
Eritrean people are beautiful.
James
Aug 23, 2019 at 12:31 am | Reply
Thank you for sharing your experiences, Anna. I was
searching for information about Eritrea after coming across information on another site stating that the country (which I had never heard of) is one of the 4 highest sources of human slavery on Earth.
Complicated indeed.
Economic hardships and desperate grasps at personal security and higher standing by governing persona who likely are trying to do the best they know how is a frustrating situation to contemplate from another reality. One where the overloads are motivated by corporate gain.
Thanks again for allowing me to add to my knowledge concerning this region. Very beautiful of you to care and take the time. Many blessings : )
James, in Canada
Arjan
Sep 15, 2019 at 6:35 am | Reply
Not certain if you’d be able to answer, but I am interested in following the path of ‘Gazelle Force’ during World War II, but I know travel outside of Asmara, Massawa, and Keren is restricted.
How would I be able to organize a road trip from Wachai > Keru > Agordat > Keren > Asmara > Massawa if it is indeed possible to do so. Thank you for any information you may be able to provide.
Anna
Sep 16, 2019 at 2:02 pm | Reply
Have you seen my other post on traveling to Eritrea –
https://annaeverywhere.com/visit-eritrea-visa-safety/? It’s possible to do your route, but you need to get permits through the local company.
Henok
Oct 10, 2019 at 7:55 pm | Reply
Thank you for visiting my home land …
Sara Haile
Dec 7, 2019 at 6:55 pm | Reply
Anna,
definitely you will be welcomed to Eritrean house anytime. Your report and observation are accurate, thank you for sharing your experience.