Northwestern Georgia is, generally speaking, not a safe travel destination. Abkhazia is still at war with the Georgian central government, although the latter has in recent years pledged to resolve the conflict peacefully. Moreover, there is an ever present risk that the separatist conflict could escalate into a regional conflagration involving Russia and specifically the regions of the North Caucasus sympathetic to the Abkhaz nationalist cause. Abkhazia has borders, but no embassies to speak of, which means that if a bandit or bandit-like official steals your passport, you are staying in Abkhazia. Samegrelo has become notably less volatile since the Rose Revolution, as the Mingrelians are far less hostile to the new president than the last; moreover, the new government has taken steps to disarm the somewhat brigandish Mingrelian guerilla groups, who were made up mostly of refugees from Abkhazia and had been fighting against the Abkhaz government.
Svaneti is a different security story altogether. While Svaneti has been largely untouched by the simmering ethnic conflict to its west, it remains a rather dangerous destination simply because it always has been. The Svans are renowned for being an aggressive and insular group who, while loyal to the Georgian central government, can be tricky folks to deal with for outsiders. On the other hand, if accepted as a guest of a Svan, the Svans are also renowned for their legendary, limitless hospitality. Do not let security concerns stop you from visiting Svaneti—it is far too wonderful a travel destination to miss. But do seriously consider traveling there with a guide or local Svan.
