Current warnings as at 22 June 2005. Consult the site for more information or for up to date information.

We advise against non-essential travel to these countries:
Algeria
Angola
Central African Republic
Colombia
Haiti
Indonesia, (including Bali)
Nepal
Pakistan
Saudi Arabia
Sudan
Yemen

We advise against all travel to these countries:
Afghanistan
Burundi
Iraq
Ivory Coast
Liberia
Somalia
Togo

Two countries where hunters might consider venturing:

Sudan
This Advice is current for Thursday, 23 June 2005.
The Advice was issued on Wednesday, 08 December 2004, 17:03:41, AEDT.
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information on Safety and Security, Local Laws and Customs and Health Issues. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Australians should defer non-essential travel to Sudan. Australians who consider their presence in Sudan to be essential should exercise extreme caution. We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against Western interests in East Africa, including Sudan.

Australians are advised to avoid all travel to southern Sudan, the region bordering Eritrea, and the Darfur region in western Sudan. Relations between government and rebel forces in these areas are tense and fighting is continuing in Darfur.

Australians in Sudan should register with the Australian Embassy in Cairo, Egypt (contact details below).

Safety and Security
Terrorism
Australians should defer non-essential travel to Sudan. Australians who consider their presence in Sudan essential should exercise caution. The risk of terrorist attack against Western interests in East Africa, including Sudan remains. Potential targets include commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners such as, but not limited to, key transport installations including air, railways and sea ports, premises and buildings associated with foreign governments and companies, hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, marketplaces, places of worship, outdoor recreation events and tourist areas.

Australian travellers should be aware of the threat of terrorism globally and should read this travel advice in conjunction with the General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension
There has been a state of emergency in effect since December 1999 and the security situation in Sudan, including the capital Khartoum, remains unstable. Conflict can escalate and curfews imposed, with little or no warning. Large public gatherings have the potential to turn violent.

Australians are advised to avoid all travel to southern Sudan and the region bordering Eritrea. Although peace talks between the Government and the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement/Army are underway, relations between the two sides are tense and the situation on the ground remains unstable.

Australians should also avoid travelling to Darfur in Western Sudan where fighting, kidnapping and other violence continues.

Personal Security
Prior to travel, Australians should ensure they have a variety of financial options available to them including travellers' cheques and US dollars, euros or pounds stirling cash. Credit cards are not accepted in Sudan. Hotel bills must be paid in cash or travellers cheques (American Express cheques are not accepted). ATMs are not available.

Australians should only carry sufficient cash for their daily needs, secure their valuables against theft and avoid displays of wealth at all times. Photocopies of valuables such as passport, tickets, driving licence and travellers' cheques should be kept separately from the originals.

In many countries, passports are a prime target of theft for illegal purposes. Your passport should always be kept in a safe place, as considerable inconvenience and disruption to travel plans may result from its theft or loss. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

Local Conditions
The land borders between Sudan and many neighbouring countries are effectively closed. The Wadi Halfa border crossing between Egypt and Sudan is currently open, although this is subject to change. Desert travel should be attempted only if travellers are fully-equipped and experienced. Unexploded landmines remain a danger. Permits are required for all travel outside Khartoum, and can be obtained locally. Travellers without permits to areas outside Khartoum have been arrested and detained. Registration with the police authorities within 24 hours of arrival anywhere outside the capital is required.

Roads and vehicles are poorly maintained in Sudan and public transportation is limited.

Seafarers are advised that piracy occurs in the coastal areas of Sudan. This advice should be read in conjunction with our travel bulletin on piracy at sea.

Local Law and Customs
Australians are reminded that when overseas, they are subject to local laws. Local laws and legal processes can be very different from those in Australia. A violation of local laws may result in a jail sentence, served in a local prison. Consular assistance cannot override local law, even where local laws may appear harsh or unjust by Australian standards. Penalties for drug offences are severe.

Consistent with local custom and sensitivities, there is a need to behave and dress conservatively.

Islamic Sharia law is enforced in Sudan. Homosexual practices and extra marital relations are illegal and subject to severe penalties. Alcohol is prohibited.

Religious proselytisation may lead to arrest. It is prohibited to import or consume alcohol, even in private.

Permits are required for any photography in Sudan. Photography of military areas, bridges, broadcast stations, public utilities, slum areas and beggars is strictly prohibited.

Some Australian criminal laws, including - but not limited to - those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, have extraterritorial effect. Australians who commit such offences outside of Australia may be prosecuted in Australia for those offences.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Entry and Exit Requirements
Travellers are required to register with the Aliens' Registration Office, Ministry of the Interior, within three days of arrival in Khartoum.

Visas are required for Australians entering Sudan and bearers of passports must have a minimum of six months validity on their passports from the date of entry into Sudan. Passports bearing an Israeli visa or Israel entry/exit stamps will not be allowed to enter Sudan. A departure tax in US dollars is payable.

Visa conditions are subject to change. For up-to-date visa information, Australians should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Sudan, well in advance of travel.

Health Issues
Medical facilities in Sudan are limited. Malaria and Cholera are endemic. There has been an outbreak of yellow fever and meningitis in the southern region.

For information on prevalent diseases and inoculations, travellers should consult their doctor, travel clinic or the World Health Organization (WHO). Further information can be found in our 'Travelling Well' brochure.

Travel and Health Insurance
Travel and health insurance is strongly recommended for all overseas travel. Travellers should check with their insurer to make sure that their policy meets their needs. In particular, travellers should seek advice from their insurer on what type of circumstances and activities are the subject of exclusions in their policy.

Consular Assistance and Registration
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Sudan. Australians may obtain consular assistance and should register at the nearest Australian Embassy. This is in Egypt at:

Australian Embassy
11th floor, North Tower, World Trade Centre,
1191 Corniche El Nil,
Boulac, Cairo
Telephone (20 2) 575 0444
Facsimile (20 2) 578 1638
E-mail cairo.austremb@dfat.gov.au

Australians in southern Sudan may contact the:

Australian High Commission
Riverside Drive (400 metres off Chiromo Road),
Nairobi, Kenya
Telephone (254 20) 444 5034
Facsimile (254 20) 444 4718

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also offers an on-line registration service, accessible via the internet, at http://www.orao.dfat.gov.au . The registration information provided by you will help us to find you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family emergency.

Australians planning travel and those overseas are encouraged to monitor our travel advice updates, including through use of our free subscription service, at smartraveller.gov.au.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.

Central African Republic
This Advice is current for Thursday, 23 June 2005.
The Advice was issued on Monday, 15 November 2004, 16:57:45, AEDT.
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information on Safety and Security, Local Law and Customs and Health Issues. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Australians are advised to defer non-essential travel to the Central African Republic. Australians who consider their presence in the Central African Republic to be essential should exercise extreme caution. The internal security situation remains tense and potentially dangerous.

Australians in the Central African Republic should register with the Australian High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria (contact details below).

Safety and Security
Terrorism
Australian travellers should be aware of the threat of terrorism globally and should read this travel advice in conjunction with the General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Personal Security
Australians are advised to defer all non-essential travel to the Central African Republic. Australians who consider their presence in the Central African Republic to be essential should exercise extreme caution. The military coup against the government in March 2003 led to widespread conflict and unrest. Although some order has been restored in the capital city, Bangui, the security situation in other parts of the country, particularly in the north, remains tense and dangerous. Banditry and crime are prevalent, especially in the northern and eastern regions. Theft and robbery occur regularly in Bangui and armed gangs operate in the outlying residential areas of the city. There have been incidents of robbery of expatriate residences.

Prior to travel, Australians should ensure they have a variety of financial options available to them including credit cards, travellers' cheques and US dollars cash. Australians should consult their automatic teller machine (ATM) card provider for information about overseas services and availability. Not all overseas ATMs accept Australian cards. Credit cards and travellers' cheques are accepted at major hotels in Bangui.

Australians should only carry sufficient cash for their daily needs, secure their valuables against theft and avoid displays of wealth at all times. Photocopies of valuables such as passport, tickets, driving licence and travellers' cheques should be kept separately from the originals.

In many countries, passports are a prime target of theft for illegal purposes. Your passport should always be kept in a safe place, as considerable inconvenience and disruption to travel plans may result from its theft or loss. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

Local Conditions
Driving in the Central African Republic can be hazardous, as most roads are in poor condition and have insufficient lighting. Fuel shortages are common.

The rainy season is May to October and flooding may occur.

Local Law and Customs
Australians are reminded that when overseas, they are subject to local laws. A violation of local laws may result in a jail sentence, served in a local prison. Consular assistance cannot override local law, even where local laws may appear harsh or unjust by Australian standards.

Australians in the Central African Republic should carry their identity documents, or notarized copies, at all times. Failure to produce identification can lead to detention by the police.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe and can include heavy fines and imprisonment.

Photography around military zones, military assets, military personnel and government buildings should be avoided at all times.

A licence is required to buy or sell precious gems and penalties are heavy for those involved in the illegal export of precious gems.

Some Australian criminal laws, including - but not limited to - those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, have extraterritorial effect. Australians who commit such offences outside of Australia may be prosecuted in Australia for those offences.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Entry and Exit Requirements
Visa conditions are subject to change. For up-to-date visa information, Australians should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the Central African Republic, well in advance of travel.

Health Issues
Medical facilities are limited in the Central African Republic. Water-borne diseases, malaria and HIV/AIDS are prevalent. A valid Yellow Fever Certificate is required for entry into the country.

For information on prevalent diseases and inoculations, travellers should consult their doctor, travel clinic or the World Health Organization (WHO). Further information can be found in our 'Travelling Well' brochure.

Travel and Health Insurance
Travel and health insurance is strongly recommended for all overseas travel. Travellers should check with their insurer to make sure that their policy meets their needs. In particular, travellers should seek advice from their insurer on what type of circumstances and activities are the subject of exclusions in their policy.

Consular Assistance and Registration
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in the Central African Republic. Australians may obtain consular assistance and should register at the nearest Australian High Commission. This is in Nigeria at:

Australian High Commission
2940 Aguiyi Ironsi Street
Maitama
Abuja, Nigeria
Telephone (234 9) 413 5226
Facsimile (234 9) 413 5227

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade offers an on-line registration service. The registration information provided by you will help us to find you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family emergency.

Australians planning travel and those overseas are encouraged to monitor our travel advice updates, including through use of our free subscription service, at smartraveller.gov.au.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.