Unexpectedly Difficult Countries to Visit in 2025

9. Eritrea: The "Hermit Kingdom" of Africa

Often dubbed the "North Korea of Africa," Eritrea is an extremely difficult country for tourists to enter. The government maintains a highly isolationist policy, with an opaque and lengthy visa application process that can take months and often ends in rejection. Once inside, foreign visitors are under strict surveillance, and independent travel outside the capital is often restricted. The difficulty lies in the government's deliberate control over foreign influence, making it one of the world's least-visited and most tightly controlled nations.