The Most Dangerous Journeys: Which Countries are Dangerous to Travel to?
Where on our planet is it dangerous to go on holiday? Everyone knows the popular countries for holidays, that's why they are popular. Here you will find a selection of countries that you should visit only at your own risk: you can easily lose money, health, or even your life.
The most dangerous trips
Experienced travellers have often already visited all the popular countries. There is no place left in Europe where they have not been, popular tourist centres of North America and Asia are also left behind. Many in this situation begin to be drawn to the extreme. Some are limited to dangerous sports, and some are looking for places where the risk to life and health will constantly loom over your shoulder.
If you are one of them, then our selection of the most dangerous countries for travelling will come in handy. But remember, we do not recommend travelling to any of them, much less going off the tourist routes. For those who prefer safer and more relaxing activities, exploring entertainment options from the comfort of your home might be a better idea. For instance, you can check out StayCasino, which offers a variety of exciting games without the risks associated with dangerous travel.
Holidays in Afghanistan
Tour to Afghanistan you will not find in any travel company. Nevertheless, it is quite possible to go there. For example, through Central Asia by car or from Pakistan, which we will also talk about later. The only question is whether it is worth it.
Why Afghanistan is dangerous
There are several reasons why Afghanistan is far from being a good place to travel.
Prolonged civil war. Ever since the 1973 revolution and the overthrow of the monarchy (with tacit Western support), there has been no peace in Afghanistan. The situation deteriorated further in 1978, when another revolution, now socialist, took place. Since 1979, there have been constant armed clashes in the country. Even the intervention first by the USSR and then in the 2000s by the US and NATO failed to establish a strong effective government in the country.
Poppy fields. Afghanistan grows huge amounts of poppies, which are then processed into heroin. Curiously, since the American invasion, production has only increased - several times over. The danger is that the poppy fields are guarded. When travelling around the country, you can easily drive into a closed area and fall victim to these guards.
Mines. The country inherited a huge number of mines and unexploded shells from the Soviet and then NATO troops. Add here the love of the local population to install various landfills on the roads and you will understand why tours to Afghanistan are not popular.
Travelling to Somalia
Holidaying in Somalia is almost as unwise an idea as travelling to Afghanistan. This country has been in a state of civil war since 1988, which has claimed many lives and continues to this day. There are just a few reasons to consider Somalia as a dangerous holiday destination.
Why holidaying in Somalia is dangerous
So, if you are an extreme traveller and decide to visit Somalia for a holiday, here are a few things to expect.
Civil war. Somalia has been in an active civil war since the early 1990s. Although it has somewhat subsided in recent years, there are still many different factions operating in the country, each claiming supremacy in the country and owning some territory. Some are religious, such as ISIS in Somalia, and some are tribal. The transitional government does not control most of the country. The UN tried to establish order in the country in the early 90s, in particular the 25,000-strong contingent of US Marines and other peacekeeping troops. But even they failed. A united Somali state is out of the question.
Somali pirates and kidnappers. Somalia is a country that in the XXI century again lives piracy. Just do not imagine noble corsairs, heirs of the pirates of the Caribbean Sea. Somali groups attack ships, hijack them, kidnap crews, and release them for ransom. They don't mind kidnapping a lone foreign traveller.
Sharia Courts. You may be a Muslim and are in favour of establishing Sharia law. In this case, you may like the judicial system in modern Somalia. If Sharia law is not to your liking and you are not prepared to abide by its strict requirements, you may find yourself subject to very severe penalties. However, Sharia courts help resolve disputes between various local chiefs and influential people in a peaceful rather than military manner - so their presence is now a positive rather than a negative for the country.
Crime. The splitting of the country into many warring camps, and the widespread uncontrolled proliferation of firearms make Somalia a country with one of the highest crime rates in the world.
Dangerous Tours to Colombia
If Africa or the Middle East doesn't appeal to you, welcome to South America, namely Colombia. Although the country has made significant progress in recent years in combating various illegal armed groups and reducing crime rates, travelling in Colombia in areas far from tourist centres can be very dangerous.
Why is holidaying in Colombia dangerous?
If you decide to take a tour of Colombia, you run the risk of encountering several dangers.
Drug cartels. Once it was Colombia that was the main supplier of cocaine to the US and one of the world's leading producers of the drug. Today, it has ceded that top spot to Mexico, but Colombia's drug cartels are still a serious force. In some regions of the country and cities, especially small ones, it is these criminal gangs that represent the real power. And you can easily be affected by their actions by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Guerrillas. A lot of groups, until recently, waged an armed struggle against the government. Some of these groups were Cold War legacies. In recent years, the country has managed to establish a shaky truce, and most such groups have been disarmed. But in some areas, the danger remains.
Crime rates are high. The problem lies in Colombia's weak economy and high unemployment. People deprived of income often earn it through crime. However, the crime rate in Colombia is not unusual for most South American countries.
Holidays in Iraq
Back to the Middle East. Iraq is a country where military conflict has been raging for the last 15 years. Iraq is perhaps the clearest example of what happens when an outside force (the US) intervenes without local knowledge or a truly effective plan.
What are the dangers of travelling to Iraq?
Going on holiday to Iraq is a very risky venture. There are several reasons for this. We strongly advise you to abandon the idea - at least for the next 10 years or more. The country is consistently on the list of those that the Russian Foreign Ministry does not recommend for visits - as well as most of the countries on our list.
War. Since 2003, the country has been in a prolonged period of military conflicts, with rare periods of calm. Whatever one may say about the rule of Saddam Hussein, the order was maintained then. The new authorities, essentially appointed by the leadership of the coalition of Western countries that invaded Iraq in 2003, have not been able to establish a peaceful life in the country. Some successes in the economy, which appeared thanks to the infusion of various grants from Western countries and international organizations, mean little against the background of constant military conflicts.
High unemployment. As in other countries on our list, prolonged military conflicts, unemployment, and widespread weapons proliferation have resulted in a very high crime rate in Iraq. It is quite common for foreigners to be kidnapped for ransom. Suffice it to note that no serious foreign company operates in this country without strong paramilitary guards for its property and employees.
Sharia law. Even though Iraq is formally a secular country, in practice on the ground everything is often decided under cultural and religious traditions. In September 2018, Miss Iraq 2018 was murdered, according to one of the main versions, simply because she published on Instagram too ‘frank’ in the opinion of the local guardians of morality photos. The same fate can befall the hapless tourist who is not familiar with the local rules of behavior.
Haiti
The island nation of Haiti is a surprising case. Its neighbour Dominican Republic is a popular resort. But Haiti, located on the same island, is one of the poorest and most dangerous countries in the world.
What are the risks of holidaying in Haiti?
There are several reasons why a holiday in Haiti is not the most popular entertainment among tourists and is suitable only for the most dangerous of them.
Natural Disasters. Haiti is regularly hit by earthquakes. The most devastating of them occurred in 2010 and killed more than 200 tonnes of people, which is a lot for a country of 8 million people. In addition to earthquakes, landslides and hurricanes regularly cause large numbers of casualties.
Epidemics. After the most devastating earthquake in the country, there was an epidemic of cholera. But even in normal times, Haiti is not in a stable epidemiological situation: high levels of AIDS, hepatitis, and so on.
The crime rate is high. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in America with an unstable political situation. As a result, there are a lot of armed criminals in the country. There is virtually no place in the country where you can walk around without fear, even during the day. Given the fact that the country is populated predominantly by black people, a tourist from Russia will stand out and attract constant and unwanted attention.
Conclusion
Dangerous journeys can give you unforgettable sensations and memories. But they are not necessarily pleasant. In addition, the risk to your health and life may be too great. We strongly advise you to think carefully before travelling to one of the countries listed above and other dangerous trips.
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