How to Get Benin Citizenship Through the Afro-Descendant Program (Step-by-Step Guide)
Over the past few weeks I applied for Beninese citizenship through the My Afro Origins program, and I realized something
- By: The Bearded Backpacker
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Traveling to Yemen is not something you do on impulse. It’s one of the most misunderstood places in the world, and almost everything people think they know about it comes from headlines, not firsthand experience.
I went to Yemen knowing it would be complicated. The visa process is strict, flights are limited, movement is controlled, and large parts of the country are completely off limits. This is not independent travel, and it’s not a destination you “figure out as you go.” Everything requires planning, approvals, and local coordination.
What I found on the ground was far more nuanced than the narrative most people are familiar with. Yemen is not one single situation. It’s divided, compartmentalized, and highly regional. Some areas are active conflict zones and inaccessible. Others function with structure, routine, and daily life continuing as normal.
This guide is based entirely on my personal experience traveling in Yemen’s southern regions with a licensed local agency. It’s not meant to encourage reckless travel or downplay risks. It’s meant to explain how travel to Yemen actually works, what you need to know before even considering it, and what daily life feels like once you’re there.
Yemen is not an easy destination. But it is not chaos everywhere either. Understanding that difference is the first step to understanding the country at all.
This guide is a complete analysis made to tell how safe is Yemen from a solo travelers perspective, which includes my personal experience, local insights, safety by region and more.
Just so you know this post contains some affiliate links. Completely free to you, I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase.
@thebeardedbackpacker Welcome to Day 1 in Yemen 🇾🇪 as an American 🇺🇸 Yemen has been on my bucket list for years, and after having my visa denied the first time, I honestly thought I’d never make it here. So standing in this country — after all the challenges that come with traveling to Yemen — feels surreal. From Sanaa to Seiyun to Aden, Yemen is one of the most misunderstood places in the world, and I’m excited to show you the real side of this country through my eyes. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to travel Yemen or what daily life in Yemen actually looks like, you’re in the right place. Make sure you follow for more off-the-beaten-path travel stories and deeper looks into the places the world rarely sees.#yemen #middleeasttravel #yementiktok #travel #travelvlog
♬ original sound - Don | The Bearded Backpacker
Answering Your Top Question:
Can Americans Visit Yemen?
The short and sweet answer is, yes. I’m American and successfully visited Yemen.
Yemen Visa Process: What You Need to Know
The Visa Process
@thebeardedbackpacker Visiting Yemen as an American is possible but the process is very different from any other country. In this video I show you exactly how I entered the Hadramaut region of Yemen, how the visa works, what documents you actually need, how much it costs, and what the experience is like on the ground. Most people only see headlines about Yemen. But the Hadramaut region showed me a side of this country that was calm, welcoming, and full of everyday life. This video covers: • How Americans get a Yemeni visa • Required negative HIV + Hepatitis tests • Return flight requirement • Why you can’t visit Sanaa • Why you must use a local tour operator • Safety in Seiyun, Tarim, and Wadi Do’an • Full cost breakdown • What Yemen is REALLY like If you’re curious about Yemen, Middle East travel, or what life actually looks like beyond the headlines… this video is for you. Tour Operator: @easyyementravel #Yemen #middleeasttravel #travel #travelvlog #yementiktok
♬ original sound - Don | The Bearded Backpacker
Getting a visa for Yemen is one of the biggest barriers to entry and the part that stops most people from even trying. There is no e visa system and no visa on arrival. A Yemen visa must be arranged in advance, and the only realistic way to do that is by booking a guided tour with a licensed local agency.
You cannot apply for a Yemen visa independently. The tour agency applies on your behalf and submits everything directly to the authorities. As part of the application, you will be required to provide a health certificate showing that you are HIV and hepatitis negative, proof of a return flight back to your home country, a completed visa application, and a copy of your passport. Without all of this, your application will not move forward.
I originally applied for a Yemen visa in May 2025 with a Dubai based agency, and was denied due to suspicion of journalistic activities.
That denial made it clear how sensitive the process is. After that, I worked with a local agency called Easy Yemen Tours, and once they submitted my application, my visa was approved within a few days.
Once your visa is approved, the agency will send you a copy of the visa, which you should print and carry with you. That said, immigration will also have a copy waiting on their side, so even if something happens to your paperwork, your entry is still recorded in the system. You will not be allowed to leave the airport until your guide arrives in person to meet you. This is standard procedure, and you should expect to wait at immigration until your guide is physically present.
Your local agency handles everything beyond the visa as well, including security approvals, itinerary submission, and entry authorization. Without a licensed sponsor and pre approval, you will not be allowed to enter Yemen under any circumstances.
Processing times can vary, and patience is required. Yemen is not a country where timelines are predictable or flexible. But once the visa is approved and you arrive with the proper support in place, entry is structured and controlled rather than chaotic.
Yemen is not a place you improvise. If you want to go, you need the right agency, the right paperwork, and the willingness to follow the process exactly.
Entering Yemen: Airports and Routes
Getting to Yemen is not simple and it is not cheap. Flights to and from Yemen are limited, expensive, and require flexibility. A round trip ticket can cost close to one thousand dollars, depending on timing and route.
You can fly to Yemen from Cairo, Jeddah, or Dubai, but flight availability changes often. Most international flights are operated by Yemenia Airways, and schedules are very limited. From my experience, they only operate a small number of flights per week, which means departures and returns happen on specific days. You cannot choose dates freely.
I personally flew out of Cairo and flew into Seiyun, which is one of the main entry points for foreigners traveling to Yemen. Another option is flying into Al Mukalla, depending on current approvals and routing. Which airport you use will depend entirely on your visa, security approvals, and what your local agency arranges.
You cannot book these flights online. There is no reliable public booking system. Your local guide or tour agency will book the flights for you through their contacts. This is the only realistic way to secure a seat.
In my case, I ended up missing my flight out of Cairo. There was no way to rebook online or by phone. I had to physically go into the Yemenia Airways office in Cairo and rebook in person, which cost me an additional two hundred dollars. Situations like this are common and something you need to be prepared for when traveling to Yemen.
This is not streamlined travel. Flights change, schedules shift, and flexibility is required. If you expect convenience, Yemen will be frustrating. If you expect unpredictability and plan accordingly, it becomes manageable.
Can You Travel Independently in Yemen?
No.
Independent travel is not allowed in Yemen. Movement is coordinated and monitored. Routes are approved in advance, and deviations are not permitted.
With that being said, I was allowed some flexibility, as I’m a content creator and there were specific things I wanted to see and do.
For example, milking a camel.
I know, crazy right?
Is Yemen Safe to Visit?
Safety in Yemen is regional and controlled, not random. The country is effectively divided into different zones, and understanding that separation is critical before even considering travel.
The north of Yemen is off limits. It is controlled by the Houthis and backed primarily by Iran. Foreign travel there is not permitted, and it is an active conflict zone. This is not an area tourists can access under any circumstances.
I traveled in the south of Yemen, which is controlled by different authorities and backed by the Saudi led coalition and regional partners. This region is relatively calmer compared to the north, and it is where limited, highly controlled tourism is allowed with local approval. That does not mean it is completely risk free. Things can and do still happen, including occasional attacks or security incidents, but the environment is far more structured and predictable.
Yemen is compartmentalized. Some areas are completely inaccessible and dangerous, while others function with routine and structure. Understanding this distinction is key. Treating Yemen as one single situation is misleading and inaccurate. Where you are and who controls that area determines everything.
What You Will Find in this guide
Table of Contents
"Taking that first step, that first flight, first solo trip may seem scary, but it's those very first things that can potentially take you a thousand miles and places."
Filming and Photography in Yemen
The people in Yemen were some of the most camera friendly and hospitable people I have met in all of my travels. In many places, people genuinely wanted to be on camera. Men especially were excited, curious, and happy to be filmed. Some would call me over, smile, wave, or ask questions once they saw the camera. Filming daily life in markets and public spaces felt natural in those moments.
That said, filming in Yemen still requires permission, discretion, and constant awareness. You do not film randomly, and you do not pull out a camera without understanding where you are and who is around. Having local guidance is essential to knowing what is appropriate and what is not.
Filming women is generally not good practice. In some rural areas, I filmed women wearing traditional straw hats, and they were visibly upset. Some shouted, and a few even threw rocks in response. That reaction was immediate and clear. Even if filming men is welcomed, filming women without explicit permission can cause serious discomfort and tension.
In Yemen, filming rules change by location and context. In some areas, filming is completely fine. In others, it is not allowed at all. This is where having a guide matters most. They know when filming is acceptable and when it is better to put the camera away.
Yemen can be incredibly welcoming to cameras, but only if you respect cultural boundaries. Ignoring those boundaries can quickly turn a positive situation into a negative one.
Cell Phone Service and WiFi in Yemen
Cell phone service in Yemen is limited and inconsistent. You should not expect reliable coverage everywhere, even in cities. Signal strength changes constantly, and in some areas, service drops completely. This is normal.
Yemen also experiences frequent power outages. Electricity is not stable, and outages can happen daily, sometimes without warning. When the power goes out, WiFi goes with it. This directly affects connectivity in hotels, cafes, and public spaces.
I have AT and T, and none of my services worked in Yemen at all. Roaming was not an option. I ended up getting a local SIM card, but even then, service was still unreliable. It worked in some places and not in others, and speeds were slow.
Most hotels have WiFi, but it is often weak and dependent on electricity. You should not expect to upload content, make video calls, or stay consistently connected. Basic messaging may work at times, but even that is hit or miss.
Because of this, it’s best to assume limited and unreliable connectivity throughout your trip. Download anything you need ahead of time, save documents offline, and let people back home know you may be unreachable for long stretches.
Checkpoints and Security on the Ground
Checkpoints are a normal part of traveling in Yemen, and you should expect to encounter them regularly. This isn’t something to be alarmed by, it’s simply how movement is controlled throughout the country.
You are required to travel with an armed guard at all times. This is standard procedure and not optional. The guard is there for security and coordination, not intimidation. As you move between different provinces, the guards will often change, since each area has its own local security authority. Your guide handles all of these transitions and communication.
You will also notice that many Yemenis openly carry guns. This is common and culturally normalized in many parts of the country. Seeing firearms does not automatically mean danger or tension. It’s part of everyday life, especially outside major cities. Once you understand that context, it becomes less alarming.
At checkpoints, your guide does the talking. Documents are checked, short conversations happen, and then you move on. In many cases, especially when I was wearing traditional clothing and blended in, we were waved through quickly without much attention.
It’s also important to know that you cannot leave the airport until your guide arrives in person. Even if your visa is approved and immigration has your paperwork, you wait until your local guide physically meets you. Once that happens, everything moves forward smoothly.
Security in Yemen is structured and layered. As long as you follow the process, move with your guide, and don’t try to operate independently, checkpoints become routine rather than stressful.
Traveling to Yemen as a Women
Yes, women can travel to Yemen, but only with a licensed local agency, an approved itinerary, and local coordination. Independent travel is not allowed for anyone, regardless of gender.
While Yemen is conservative, women travelers are not unusual. During my trip, I saw several female travelers, including one woman who was traveling solo on a private guided tour. She was Russian and moving with her own local team, just like I was.
A hijab is required, but a niqab is not. Women are expected to cover their hair and dress modestly, but full face covering is not necessary. I saw women travelers wearing simple headscarves with loose clothing, which was completely acceptable.
With proper preparation, the right guide, and respect for local norms, women can travel in Yemen without issue.
How I Was Received as an American and a Black Traveler in Yemen
As an American and a Black traveler, I wasn’t treated with suspicion or hostility in Yemen. Most people were curious more than anything else. Many didn’t immediately assume I was American at all. A lot of people thought I was Yemeni, especially before I spoke.
When I wore traditional Yemeni clothing, that assumption became even stronger. At checkpoints, we were often waved through without questions because I blended in visually with the people around me. There were moments where officials focused more on others in the group, and I barely drew attention.
Once people learned I was American, reactions were generally positive. I didn’t sense hostility. Instead, people asked simple questions and seemed interested, sometimes surprised. Being Black added another layer of curiosity, but it never felt negative. It felt more like people trying to place me based on what they were familiar with.
Come to find out, I was the first African American many of them have ever met.
Blending in made daily movement easier and lowered tension in certain situations. It reinforced how much appearance and context matter in Yemen. How you present yourself, how you dress, and who you move with can shape how interactions unfold more than nationality alone.
Recommended Travel Insurance for Yemen
I used IATI Insurance for my trip to Yemen.
That said, it’s important to be realistic about insurance in Yemen. Most standard travel insurance policies do not fully cover Yemen because it is classified as a high risk destination. Even when coverage exists, it often comes with exclusions related to war, conflict, evacuation, or certain regions of the country.
With IATI, coverage depends on the specific policy and conditions at the time of travel, so you must confirm in writing exactly what is covered and what is excluded. Insurance for Yemen should be viewed as limited protection, not a guarantee.
Because of these limitations, traveling with a licensed local agency that handles security approvals, routes, and on the ground logistics is far more important than relying on insurance alone.
Insurance helps, but preparation and local coordination matter more in Yemen.
Check out IATI plans here.
Money and Daily Costs in Yemen
Cash is essential in Yemen. Credit and debit cards do not work, and there are no reliable ATMs for foreign cards. You should plan to bring enough cash with you before entering the country, usually in US dollars, which your guide can help exchange locally if needed.
Most major expenses are already included when you travel on a guided tour. This typically covers accommodation, transportation, security coordination, and meals. Because of that, daily spending is minimal. I didn’t spend much day to day beyond small personal purchases.
Extra money is mainly for things like snacks, tea, small souvenirs, or tipping. Tipping is not mandatory, but it is appreciated, especially for drivers, guides, and people who help you along the way. Your main guide will usually advise you on appropriate amounts so you don’t have to guess.
Overall, Yemen is not an expensive destination once you are there. The key is being prepared with cash ahead of time, because once you’re inside the country, payment options are extremely limited.
Yemen Through My Eyes
@thebeardedbackpacker Welcome to Yemen 🇾🇪 Travel to Yemen as an American 🇺🇸 in 2025/2026! YALLA #Yemen #travel #middleeasttravel #travelvlog #yementiktok
♬ original sound - Don | The Bearded Backpacker
Final Thoughts: How Safe is Traveling to Yemen from my Personal Experience
Yemen YouTube Series
Before I went to Yemen, I expected it to feel tense, restrictive, and constantly unpredictable. I thought I’d feel on edge the entire time, like one wrong move or misunderstanding could turn into a serious problem. Given Yemen’s reputation, I assumed daily life would feel frozen by conflict.
In reality, it wasn’t like that at all.
Yes, Yemen is heavily controlled and not a place you move around freely, but once I was on the ground in the south, things felt far more structured than I expected. Movement was planned, routes were approved, and my guide handled everything. Because of that, I wasn’t stressed trying to figure things out on my own. I knew where I was going, who I was with, and what was expected at all times.
What surprised me most was how normal daily life felt in the areas I visited. Markets were active, people were out socializing, kids were playing, and shops were open. The atmosphere didn’t feel chaotic or unstable. It felt calm, routine, and lived in. War wasn’t the center of every interaction. Life was continuing.
I also expected people to be cautious or distant toward me, especially as an American. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. I didn’t sense hostility at all. People were curious, welcoming, and incredibly hospitable. Men especially were eager to talk, laugh, and even be on camera. In terms of openness and friendliness, Yemen stands out as one of the most welcoming places I’ve been.
Carrying a camera felt easier than I expected in many situations. People often wanted to be filmed and were excited to share their daily lives. That said, cultural boundaries matter. Filming women is generally not appropriate, and I learned that quickly in rural areas where reactions were immediate and strong. Having a guide made all the difference in navigating those situations respectfully.
Connectivity and comfort were better than I expected as well. I wasn’t disconnected from the world entirely, and accommodation, transport, and logistics were handled smoothly through the tour. I wasn’t constantly worried about safety or logistics because everything was structured.
Yemen is not easy travel, and it’s not for everyone. It requires patience, planning, and trust in local guidance. But what I experienced was not chaos or constant fear. It was a country that is deeply misunderstood, with people who continue living their lives with dignity, warmth, and resilience despite the circumstances around them.
Yemen challenged a lot of assumptions I had going in. It wasn’t what I expected, and that’s exactly why it left such an impact.
If this Yemen Safety Guide was helpful, please like, comment, and share!
Meet Me
The Bearded Backpacker
Hi there! welcome to the blog! My name is Don, and I am the beard behind this site. My hope is to inspire you to rethink the how’s and why’s of travel, and the places we travel to. Whether it’s traveling on a budget, solo trips, backpacking journeys, I’ve got you covered. Since you have landed here, I am officially your personal travel guide. Uncovering travel tips, hacks, hidden destinations, and much more. Let's start this journey.
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Frequently Asked Questions
• Is Yemen safe to visit in 2025?
Safety in Yemen is regional and controlled, not random. Large parts of the country are completely off limits, especially the north. Where I traveled in the south, daily life felt calm and structured, with markets open, people socializing, and normal routines. That said, Yemen still carries risk, and conditions can change quickly. Safety depends entirely on location, timing, and proper local coordination.
• Is tourism allowed in Yemen?
- Yes, tourism is allowed in Yemen, but it is highly restricted. You cannot travel independently. You must book a guided tour with a licensed local agency that handles visas, security approvals, and itinerary permissions. Casual or spontaneous tourism is not allowed.
• Can Americans travel to Yemen?
- Yes, Americans can travel to Yemen, but only with a licensed local agency and full pre approval. You cannot apply on your own, enter independently, or move freely. Everything must be arranged in advance through a local sponsor.
• How hard is it to get a Yemen visa?
- Getting a Yemen visa is difficult and is one of the biggest barriers to entry. There is no e visa system and no visa on arrival. Your tour agency applies on your behalf. You will need a health certificate showing you are HIV and hepatitis negative, proof of return travel, a completed visa application, and a passport copy. Without a local sponsor, you will not get approved.
• Why is northern Yemen off limits?
- Northern Yemen is controlled by the Houthis and is an active conflict zone backed by Iran. Foreign travel there is not permitted. All tourism takes place in the south, which is controlled by different authorities and backed by the Saudi led coalition. Understanding this division is critical to understanding Yemen.
• How do you get to Yemen?
- Flights to Yemen are limited and expensive. A round trip ticket can cost close to one thousand dollars. You can fly from Cairo, Jeddah, or Dubai, usually with Yemenia Airways. Flights operate only on certain days, and you cannot book online. Your guide or tour agency books flights for you.
• Can you travel independently in Yemen?
No, independent travel is not allowed in Yemen. You must be met at the airport by your guide and cannot leave until they arrive. All movement is coordinated and approved in advance. Deviating from the plan is not permitted.
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