At Young Pioneer Tours we specialize in taking people to places that are either dangerous, or at least perceived as being so by the masses. In reality though many of our destinations are, to a large degree, either misunderstood or simply not as bad as people think.
There is also the fact that we mitigate danger and, where needed, decide if something is too dangerous or not. This means danger levels change, as what is safe today might not be tomorrow and that with regards to this we of course have a line.
There are places that are too dangerous to visit as of now, although as with everything things change. Mogadishu, although far from “extremely safe”, can now be visited. This has not always been the case.
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Which places are too dangerous to visit in 2026?
With this in mind, and as this is something we regularly look at, we have decided to share with you the places that we feel are too dangerous to visit right now.
Again, this is a list that can and shall change. As always we count down from 11, being the safest on this list, to 1, the least safe.
11. Darién Gap
The jungle region between Panama and Colombia just creeps into our list, but it has long been a no go area. From drug runners to insurgent groups, to human traffickers and armed gangs, it has never been remotely stable. Add to that disease, impossible terrain, and zero real infrastructure and you have a place that defeats even experienced operators. Scotland famously bankrupted itself trying to establish a colony here in the 1690s. There are no YPT tours planned here.
10. North Kivu
Located in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, North Kivu remains deeply unstable. Rebel groups, militia activity and periodic clashes make the security situation unpredictable. While cities like Goma can fluctuate between tense and calm, the wider province is not stable enough for structured tourism.
9. Idlib Governorate
In northwest Syria, Idlib remains outside full state control and heavily militarized. Multiple armed factions operate there and the political situation is unresolved. We very much hope that one day Syria fully stabilizes and that all regions become workable again, but right now Idlib is not somewhere we can responsibly operate.
8. Northern Yemen
Large parts of Yemen remain divided between rival authorities following years of civil war. Infrastructure is damaged, security is inconsistent, and access can change quickly. While parts of Yemen may slowly reopen in future, the north remains too volatile at present.
7. Somalia excluding Mogadishu and Somaliland
Somalia has improved compared to its worst years and we do operate in Mogadishu and Somaliland. However outside these areas the situation remains fragile. Insurgent activity, limited state control and rural insecurity mean much of the country is still off limits.
6. Darfur
The Darfur region of western Sudan has once again descended into serious conflict. Armed groups, ethnic violence and breakdown of order make it impossible to consider at present. Currently we only offer Port Sudan.
5. North Sentinel Island
Part of India, this island is legally closed and inhabited by the Sentinelese who have made it clear they do not want contact. The Indian authorities enforce strict exclusion and attempting to visit would be both illegal and extremely dangerous. One day perhaps.
4. Ukrainian front line
Active combat zones in eastern Ukraine remain live war environments. Shelling, drone strikes and shifting front lines make this completely unsuitable for tourism of any kind. We do though offer Ukraine tours.
3. Borno State
In northeastern Nigeria, Borno State remains the heartland of the Boko Haram insurgency. While Nigeria as a whole is very much visitable, this particular state still carries levels of insurgent activity and kidnapping risk that make it too dangerous to visit at this time anyway.
2. Gaza
The Gaza Strip remains in a state of extreme destruction and instability. Infrastructure damage, military operations and an ongoing humanitarian crisis make it unworkable. Sadly not likely to change in the coming year.
1. Port au Prince
The capital of Haiti is currently dominated in large part by heavily armed gangs. Kidnappings are widespread and government control is limited. At present this is the least workable destination on our radar. Perhaps the most lawless place on earth….
And while not completely exhaustive, these at least mark the main areas that we are avoiding, at least for the time being! And how do we make this choices? Well it is a little rule of thumb, with international press, local insight and even international security consultation (www.LTI.info) all playing a part.
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