"Saagar's Eritrea pages" Top 5 Page for this destination Eritrea by Saagar

Eritrea Travel Guide: 229 reviews and 757 photos

Why Eritrea????

Eritrea is a fascinating country on the edge of Africa. There is a bit of another flair to this place that you do not get many other places in Africa. It is definitely laid-back, but it is also efficient and quick, resourceful and elegant in its solutions and approaches.
Politically, however, the situation of late does not really invite to come here: the border war with Ethiopia and an entrenched politics at the cost of press and speech freedom and a beginning political paranoia. Apart from the strains of war, the other elements of downturn is not hitting visitors with a sensible behaviour, so it's definitely still a place to visit.

The ancient (Abyssinian) history and historical shared with Ethiopia is fascinating, so is recent history with the Italian colonisation, and subsequent Ethiopian regimes' rules over their land.
The war of independence and subsequent realisation as an independent nation was a major feat that drew international attention and sympathy and support. In a way they won over both the Soviets and the Americans both whom used the Ethiopian Dergue as their proxy.

What to do in Eritrea?

Dhalak Islands

These are key reasons to visit and learn about Eritrea:
- The history of independence
- A fantastic desert scenery and- very dramatic arid landscapes
- Asmara's colonial architecture
- Excellent Italian-inspired coffee culture, the best coffee in Africa
- The best and most beautiful city in Africa
- Massawa's beaches
- Massawa's grilled fish and other food
- Superb desert coastline down toward Assab
- The Dhalak Archipelago
The northern Danakil desert and depression
- The Massawa-Asmara railway partly in operation.

Eritrean travel for the hardy

The Gash Barka area

To set out and see some of the more remote areas of Eritrea is for the hardy ones.
The lowlands are exceedingly hot. Northern Danakil bordering Ethiopia, is in fact the world's hottest place.
The Gash Barka desert valleys are fascinating, with some wildlife here in north-west Eritrea, and an interesting rainfed agricultural production. The highlands is where the independence struggle took form and reminders of this are strewn around in the Eritrean landscape in the form of blown-up and rusty burnt-out tanks and trucks. More recent reminders about the cost of independence and a big brother south of the border are heaped closer to the Ethiopian border.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Proud people with a history of capital letters. Beautiful landscapes, good food and drink.
Cons:Difficult to travel, political repression, tourist costs high.

Last visit to Eritrea: Mar 2000
Intro Updated Mar 11, 2005
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Reviews (37)

Sheltering from Eritrean shelling at Zalambessa - Eritrea

The border conflict with Ethiopia (part... Warnings and Dangers (7)

Cont'd.... Ethiopia is loosing face at home over the ruling of the UN border commission, and turning it into a hopeless... more travel advice

Ex-soviet, ex-Ethiopian, ex-tank near Barentu - Eritrea

The border conflict with Ethiopia (Part... Warnings and Dangers (7)

This conflict is the world's most stupid. Basically, Ethiopia is dissatisfied with Eritrea's arrogance, and the blocking... more travel advice

Censorship and political oppression Warnings and Dangers (7)

After the liberation from Ethiopia there was such an opening up in Eritrea, such a happy nation. After two subsequent... more travel advice

Your captain's destroying live coral on... Warnings and Dangers (7)

Make sure the captain doesn't throw the anchor straight on live coral when out on a sea excursion off the Eritrean... more travel advice

Shopping (4)
See All Book 1: Mai Weini: A highland village in...
Local Customs (3)
See All Languages and people of Eritrea
Things to Do (7)
See All Keren's market
Nightlife (1)
Eritreans are party lovers
Restaurants (3)
See All Traditions and spice

Hotels (4)
See All On the Dahlak Islands
Transportation (4)
See All Overland to Eritrea
Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Agordat (under construction)
What to Pack (1)
Bring your own snorkelling gear!
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Travelogues (1)

Written Mar 11, 2005

8 photos

The Dahlak Archipelago

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Comments (12)

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travut55 Feb 10, 2010 at 12:39 PM

Thanks for the interesting information, i was last december in eritrea, it was phantastic.
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travelinxs Nov 10, 2007 at 6:16 AM

This is excellent - thanks. Off there in a few weeks so great to see so much concise info. Cheers.
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sachara May 16, 2007 at 7:17 AM

Hi Olav, interesting information of this fascinating country ! Thanks for visiting my Nigeria page and your comments on Abuja.
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fabrice Nov 29, 2006 at 11:58 PM

it seems to be a fascinating country with superb landscapes , although a little scary
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mke1963 Jan 29, 2006 at 9:48 PM

Another impressive page, Sagaar. Hope you get time to finish off some of the tips and reviews!
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Rusket Sep 7, 2005 at 3:21 PM

Jeg MÅ prøve den jernbanen! Får slenge meg med neste gang min eritreiske venninne skal hjem og besøke familien :-)
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tosse Aug 13, 2005 at 7:25 AM

Hi Olov! Lovely pages of Eritrea very interesting.
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dejavu2gb Mar 30, 2005 at 3:38 AM

WOW, very interesting page... the islands look very nice. great tips!
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mtncorg Mar 11, 2005 at 12:09 PM

Another fascinating destination served up here - from sea to desert. Looking good.
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MattTB Mar 10, 2005 at 10:34 PM

Thanks for your comments! Very helpful. Looks like a really interesting place to visit!