The globetrotter's guide: 10 dangerous destinations to avoid
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At the Seniors Discount Club, we love sharing inspiring travel stories and tips with our members. But sometimes, it's just as important to inform you about the places you should consider avoiding.
Today, we're taking a look at ten destinations that could prove too dangerous for even the most seasoned travellers.
This fascinating list comes from Lexie Alford, a traveller who holds the Guinness World Record for being the youngest person to visit every country in the world.
Lexie runs a popular social media channel called Lexie Limitless, where she shares videos of her incredible travel experiences.
While reviewing her footage, she put together a comprehensive list of the top 10 countries she believes are the most dangerous for tourists, ranging from uncertainties around politically unstable regions to concerns about one's safety.
Here are Lexie's top 10 perilous holiday destinations that travellers should be wary of:
Afghanistan
Lexie had an extraordinary time exploring Afghanistan when she visited the country and said it had the ‘makings for a world-class tourism destination’.
However, ever since the Taliban returned in 2021, she warned that Afghanistan is not a destination to be considered for any type of traveller, dubbing it as ‘inaccessible for the foreseeable future’.
Yemen
Visiting mainland Yemen is nearly impossible due to political instability and ongoing conflict. It's not easy to get a tourist visa, and the risks associated with kidnapping and terrorism are high. However, Lexie does note that the comparatively safer island of Socotra offers a taste of Yemeni culture and natural beauty.
‘This island is somewhat autonomous from mainland Yemen, and they do welcome tourists.’
Mali
Lexie stated that Mali is best left to experienced travellers due to the potential dangers posed by Islamist rebels exercising strict Sharia law in certain areas.
The risks of kidnappings are also relatively high in the country. Lexie also noted that it is particularly unsafe for solo female travellers.
Syria
Visiting Syria has become a near-impossible quest due to the devastating civil war that has ravaged the country. Lexie offers a word of caution for everyone considering a visit to Syria, saying it's not worth the risk in the foreseeable future.
Although she did add that Syria has ‘such an amazingly rich culture and history’.
Somalia
During her time here, Lexie stayed in a hotel with armed guards and security checkpoints at the entrances.
As piracy and the threat of terrorist attacks remain very real concerns in Somalia, Lexie also recommended avoiding the mainland but notes that the self-governing region of Somaliland offers a slightly safer option for the adventurous traveller.
Central African Republic (CAR)
Travellers should be very cautious when considering a visit to CAR. Lexie experienced a corkscrew plane landing to avoid missile strikes and did not mention any significant positive encounters during her visit.
She also noted that ‘basic transportation and communication lines in the country are limited’.
South Sudan
Lexie warned that the risk of kidnapping and violence by militia groups in South Sudan is high. She also highlights the lack of infrastructure needed for tourism, which makes the local travel experience an expensive one.
Libya
As a country deeply troubled by political unrest, getting into Libya isn't easy, and Lexie advises postponing your visit to this off-the-beaten-path destination.
‘When you arrive, you have to tell the immigration officers that you are visiting Libya for work in the oil and gas industry, which is really uncomfortable,’ she explained.
Bangladesh
Although Bangladesh boasts beautiful natural landscapes, Lexie does not recommend this country to inexperienced tourists due to its high crime rates and lack of solid tourist infrastructure.
‘Bangladesh is just so crowded... if you get claustrophobic or intimidated by crowds, then this is definitely not the place for you,’ she noted.
North Korea
Lastly, Lexie largely advises against visiting North Korea.
‘If you go on this tour, expect to be inundated with pro-government propaganda and only see the parts of the country that the regime wants you to see. Your tour money will go directly to the Kim regime and its cronies, not the North Korean people,’ Lexie shared.
However, an alternative option is to visit the Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) for a less risky encounter with North Korean territory.
You can watch Lexie’s video below:
Although Lexie's experiences may not reflect a typical journey for all travellers, it's always prudent to assess the risks and consult relevant authorities before venturing into potentially dangerous territories.
That said, we hope you stay safe wherever your adventures will take you!
Have you been to any of these countries, or do you have any unconventional travel stories? Share them with us in the comments!
Today, we're taking a look at ten destinations that could prove too dangerous for even the most seasoned travellers.
This fascinating list comes from Lexie Alford, a traveller who holds the Guinness World Record for being the youngest person to visit every country in the world.
Lexie runs a popular social media channel called Lexie Limitless, where she shares videos of her incredible travel experiences.
While reviewing her footage, she put together a comprehensive list of the top 10 countries she believes are the most dangerous for tourists, ranging from uncertainties around politically unstable regions to concerns about one's safety.
Here are Lexie's top 10 perilous holiday destinations that travellers should be wary of:
Afghanistan
Lexie had an extraordinary time exploring Afghanistan when she visited the country and said it had the ‘makings for a world-class tourism destination’.
However, ever since the Taliban returned in 2021, she warned that Afghanistan is not a destination to be considered for any type of traveller, dubbing it as ‘inaccessible for the foreseeable future’.
Yemen
Visiting mainland Yemen is nearly impossible due to political instability and ongoing conflict. It's not easy to get a tourist visa, and the risks associated with kidnapping and terrorism are high. However, Lexie does note that the comparatively safer island of Socotra offers a taste of Yemeni culture and natural beauty.
‘This island is somewhat autonomous from mainland Yemen, and they do welcome tourists.’
Mali
Lexie stated that Mali is best left to experienced travellers due to the potential dangers posed by Islamist rebels exercising strict Sharia law in certain areas.
The risks of kidnappings are also relatively high in the country. Lexie also noted that it is particularly unsafe for solo female travellers.
Syria
Visiting Syria has become a near-impossible quest due to the devastating civil war that has ravaged the country. Lexie offers a word of caution for everyone considering a visit to Syria, saying it's not worth the risk in the foreseeable future.
Although she did add that Syria has ‘such an amazingly rich culture and history’.
Somalia
During her time here, Lexie stayed in a hotel with armed guards and security checkpoints at the entrances.
As piracy and the threat of terrorist attacks remain very real concerns in Somalia, Lexie also recommended avoiding the mainland but notes that the self-governing region of Somaliland offers a slightly safer option for the adventurous traveller.
Central African Republic (CAR)
Travellers should be very cautious when considering a visit to CAR. Lexie experienced a corkscrew plane landing to avoid missile strikes and did not mention any significant positive encounters during her visit.
She also noted that ‘basic transportation and communication lines in the country are limited’.
South Sudan
Lexie warned that the risk of kidnapping and violence by militia groups in South Sudan is high. She also highlights the lack of infrastructure needed for tourism, which makes the local travel experience an expensive one.
Libya
As a country deeply troubled by political unrest, getting into Libya isn't easy, and Lexie advises postponing your visit to this off-the-beaten-path destination.
‘When you arrive, you have to tell the immigration officers that you are visiting Libya for work in the oil and gas industry, which is really uncomfortable,’ she explained.
Bangladesh
Although Bangladesh boasts beautiful natural landscapes, Lexie does not recommend this country to inexperienced tourists due to its high crime rates and lack of solid tourist infrastructure.
‘Bangladesh is just so crowded... if you get claustrophobic or intimidated by crowds, then this is definitely not the place for you,’ she noted.
North Korea
Lastly, Lexie largely advises against visiting North Korea.
‘If you go on this tour, expect to be inundated with pro-government propaganda and only see the parts of the country that the regime wants you to see. Your tour money will go directly to the Kim regime and its cronies, not the North Korean people,’ Lexie shared.
However, an alternative option is to visit the Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) for a less risky encounter with North Korean territory.
You can watch Lexie’s video below:
Although Lexie's experiences may not reflect a typical journey for all travellers, it's always prudent to assess the risks and consult relevant authorities before venturing into potentially dangerous territories.
That said, we hope you stay safe wherever your adventures will take you!
Key Takeaways
- Lexie Alford holds the Guinness World Record for being the youngest person to travel to every country on the globe.
- She has also created a list of the ten most dangerous countries for inexperienced tourists.
- These countries include North Korea, Bangladesh, Libya, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Somalia, Syria, Mali, Yemen, and Afghanistan, ranked from least to most risky.
- Lexie emphasises that inexperienced tourists should avoid these destinations due to the risks of kidnapping, violence, and other dangers.
- Experienced travellers are still advised to exercise caution and gather information about these countries before attempting to visit them.