Travel guides
Not so many options here for the backpacker. The
LP reads easily and offers good info. A new edition will be released in 1999.
Order the Lonely Planet Yemen now for only 13.56 US$ If you plan to visit more countries in the Middle East, the LP on the Middle East is propbably a more economical (and less heavy) option. It has info on Turkey, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE and Yemen. It has 912 pages, edition 1/2000.
Order the Lonely Planet Middle East now for only 19.96 US$
Other books
If you can't make up your mind, click on the Amazon.com logo and search for more books
Hotels
Don't expect to find many luxury hotels, except in Sana'a. In smaller towns, you often won't have much to choose off, and a little bit better can mean much more expensive. Price is often determined by the number of hotels in a given town. Electricity and water are not always available all day. Rooms are clean most of the town, matrasses are often simply on the floor. AC is often available in the south.
Safety
Safety is a very important issue in Yemen. You will probably not get kidnapped, but your travelling will definitely be influenced by the frequent check points and by the obligation to travel in escorted convoy to some destinations. Also make sure you are on time at the checkpoint (usually 9 am), otherwise you might have to wait till the next day .
A report from 2/2001 said you now have to travel in convoy to any destination outside Sana'a, making independent travel almost impossible. You need to contact a travel agent for all these trips.
Here are some trips which can only be done with rented 4 WD:
- Sada
- Marib
- However, I got a report saying the other way round was no problem.
- Shibam/Kawkaban
- You might have to pay the lunch of the military who accompany you.
There was a very recent kidnapping of 2 Belgians east of Aden (10/98), so maybe a convoy will be instituted there too, keep me informed on this please.
Only 2 months later (29/12/98) an escorted convoy of 16 people was kidnapped east of Aden. When negotiations were not going as they wished, the kidnappers killed 2 tourists. The pol
ice intervened with armed force, and another 2 tourists plus 3 kidnappers were killed in the proces. This happened again east of Aden.
In January 1999, 4 Dutchmen and also an English couple were kidnapped in the region of Sada.
In March 1999, a couple of Germans were kidnapped and released after a ransome had been payed.
In July 1999, 4 Belgians were kidnapped 60 km North of Sana'a (Omrane).
In August 1999 2 French diplomats where kidnapped.
In August 1999, there was a bomb-attack on the biggest supermarket in Sana'a killing 9 people (8 employees and a guard from a nearby house).
Don't think the kidnappings have stopped because you don't hear it on the news anymore. In fact, they've become so frequent that the media will only cover it if compatriotes are involved.
Medical matters
MalariaDon't underestimate the risk of malaria in Yemen. There's a considerable risk from september to february, in fact there was an outbreak of malaria causing 200 deaths in 1996 and also in october 1998 causing 110 deaths (mainly children). Risk is lowest in Sana'a and Aden.
You are advised to take the usual precautions and take Nivaquine/Proguanil from september to february.
Hepatitis AIf you travel with a backpack and don't mind eating in cheap restaurants, it's easy to catch Hepatitis A. Chances of getting infected range from 1/300 to 1/50 per month depending on your standard of travelling. It's not dangerous, but you will be sick for some weeks.
There is a good vaccination for Hepatitis A nowadays, so ask your doctor. You need 2 shots (used to be 3 shots) at 0 and 6 months, although if you can it's even better to postpone the second shot till after 12 months. They are expensive, but they protect you for 10 years.
Hepatitis BYou can only get this through sex and blood transfusion. It might be wise to get vaccinated. Get your shots at 0, 1 and 6 months. They are equally expensive as hepatitis A.
Typhoid feverThere is also a good vaccination consisting of 3 pills to be taken every 2 days. Take them early enough before you leave since it's better not to combine them with malaria pills, although these guidelines have recently changed (meaning you can combine them). The vaccination works for 3 years.
Travellers diarrheaWe always have antibiotics at hand in case of diarrhea. We take Ciproxine 250 mg two tablets at once and then another 3 tablets, one tablet every 12 hours.
Weather
I would say avoid july and august. It'll be very hot in the south and Hadramaut, and you can get rain around Sana'a and Al Hodeida.
Around Sana'a there's also rain in march and april.
Go to Sana'a
