Somaliland Tours

It’s important to understand that Somaliland is not the same as Somalia and does not formally exist. For the past 20 years, Somaliland has been conducting business as a law-abiding, orderly society that is eager to be recognized on the international scene, while the rest of Somalia has been a chaotic, violent, and terrorist hotbed. The spirit of its inhabitants, who are renowned for being amiable, joyful, and eager to greet guests, seems unaffected by the fact that the international community continues to mix it together with Somalia and refuses to acknowledge it as an independent state.

Even though there isn’t much tourism here—more people visit Antarctica annually than Somaliland—those who are brave enough to venture inside its borders will find a surprising variety of wildlife, as well as its nomadic heritage and long history of trade, its exciting modern capital Hargeisa, the ancient port of Berbera, desert communities, empty beaches, and beautifully preserved rock art. Very remarkable for a nation that isn’t even a nation.

SOMALILAND HIGHLIGHTS

This unofficial nation has plenty to offer visitors for a week or more. The capital, Hargeisa, is a good starting point for trips to the northeast to the rock art at Las Geel, the coast at Berbera, and the cool, green mountains around Sheikh, or to the west through Somaliland’s lush agricultural region to Borama. You’ll need to join a small group or custom tour with an experienced driver and a four-wheel drive vehicle that can reach isolated locations because there is no infrastructure for tourism. Two-week excursions that go through Ethiopia or Djibouti may also involve a flight from Addis Ababa to Hargeisa.

1. Berbera

Seaside One of the wealthy trading networks that linked traders from Greece, Phoenicia, Persia, and the Roman Empire was founded by the Somali city state of Berbera. It has a deep sea port and is currently situated along a vital oil route. Its historic district, Darole, features buildings from the Ottoman and British eras, as well as evocative streets. Hotels by the beach serve as a base for snorkeling and swimming.

2. The Borama

Borama, located west of the capital Hargeisa, is a significant hub for education and the site of the venerable Amoud University, which was established in 1998 as Somaliland’s first post-civil war university. Borama may be reached by traveling through Somaliland’s breadbasket, which includes passing by the towns of Arabsiyo and Gabiley, which are home to a wide variety of fruits and crops.

3. Dhagah Khoure

Dhagah Khoure is another amazing rock art site, 45 km northwest of the city, near the Borama road. It is not as colorful or intricate as Las Geel. Numerous painted rock shelters display depictions of cows, giraffes, lambs, and humans with bows that date back 5,000 years. You should also see the eerie, fascinating surroundings, which include small, semi-nomadic settlements.

4. Hargeisa

The capital city of Somaliland is home to a number of marketplaces, such as the livestock, gold, and khat markets, where you may interact with amiable vendors and moneychangers who set out on the street with massive stacks of Somaliland shillings. A wrecked Somali air force MiG 17 fighter can be found at the memorial to the victims of Somalia’s 1980s bombing of Hargeisa during the civil war.

5. Las Geel

Because this area was off-limits for so long, the caves at Las Geel, one of the most significant rock art sites in Africa, have remained pristine. These vibrant pictures, which date back between 5,000 and 7,000 years, show humans and dogs beside cows with lyre-shaped horns and patterned mats around their necks. They also show the beginnings of livestock domestication and the respect that humans had for these creatures.

6. Sheikh

The route from Berbera to Burao twists and turns as it climbs into the cool Sheikh highlands, revealing a verdant terrain that is home to goat herders and providing expansive vistas of the parched plains below. You can explore the 16th-century city of Ferdusa’s ruins in the village of Sheikh, or you can just take a breather from the oppressive heat of the lowlands. This town feels lively because of its numerous schools.

 BEST TIME TO VISIT SOMALILAND

Somaliland is not a year-round travel destination because of its hot, dry environment, which gets hotter and drier in the summer. The ideal months to visit are October or November through March, when highs of 20°C are common; in December and January, however, lows of 12°C are possible. Although the desert wind whips up dust and the coast reaches 45°C in June, July, and August, other sections of Somaliland experience cooler temperatures due to height. At 1,300 meters above sea level, Hargeisa has chilly nights ranging from 5°C in November to February and March. Travel is challenging during the hottest months, which are May through September.

Top experiences in Somaliland

1. Getting high on khat

Literally meaning “plant with amphetaminic effects,” khat is a narcotic that is widely used throughout Somalia and is traditionally used in Yemen and the Horn of Africa.

You have to have khat with the natives for at least one afternoon while visiting Somaliland.

It might be an interesting experience if you get to sample high-quality products.

2. Feeding gazelles

Which part of your vacation to Somaliland was the most memorable? I was asked by certain folks.

It’s hard to say, but I had the most surprise of my vacation when I went to a random café in Berbera for breakfast and all of a sudden found myself surrounded by gazelles.

I won’t get into the moral dilemma of having wild animals in your yard, but there are a number of cafés where gazelles are allowed to wander around and will come over to you if you offer them some leaves from a tree.

3. Visiting livestock markets

Livestock markets are common in Somaliland, a very traditional country; I highly recommend visiting the daily livestock market in Hargeisa.

4. Meeting Somalis

In all honesty, there isn’t much to do when backpacking in Somaliland, but the best part of the experience is getting to know new people.

You should anticipate a ton of grins, requests for pictures, and incessant chewing-khat invitations—like this hilarious Somali dancing:

5. Checking epic rock art sites

Visiting a few caves with around 5,000-year-old rock art paintings—which are reportedly among the most remarkable and well-preserved of their sort in Africa—is the only legitimate tourist activity to undertake. This was one of the highlights of my trip to Somaliland.

Differences between Somaliland and Somalia

Though I think the situation between Somaliland and Somalia is complex and beyond my comprehension, allow me to provide my two cents.

Today’s Somalia was divided into two sections under colonialism: the eastern portion was ruled by Italy, and the western portion was ruled by the British.

Things not to do in Somaliland…

Confuse Somaliland with Somalia – They are not similar. As a sovereign nation, Somaliland has its own army, government, and currency. It is still not recognized by the rest of the world despite having enjoyed de facto independence for 20 years, and travel advisories usually refer to its unstable neighbor, Somalia. Although this may give the impression that it’s a dangerous place, a specialized travel agency with a strong local staff may provide excursions in this area safely.

Wear revealing clothes. Somaliland is a Muslim-majority country under Sharia law. Women are not required to cover their heads, but if they don’t, it will offend the locals, who are too courteous to say anything. It’s vital to cover arms and legs, too, with shorts for men frowned upon. It’s not available and forbidden to smuggle alcohol into the country, as one might anticipate from a Muslim nation.

Forget to pack a sense of adventure. Adventurers will find rich mountains, historic ports, prehistoric cave paintings, and a bustling metropolis in Somaliland. anticipate a warm welcome from its proud and industrious people, but don’t anticipate sleek service as Western culture hasn’t made much of an influence and there’s hardly any tourism business.

Accommodation: Hotels are typically independently owned, regionally operated businesses that resemble bed and breakfasts or guest houses. The Oriental Hotel is a great option in Hargeisa, and its prime position in the center of the city’s market district makes it unbeatable. Positive evaluations are being received about the more recent Damal Hotel Hargeisa, which is very conveniently positioned. There are fewer options and a lesser standard outside of Hargeisa. However, lodging will be really reasonably priced.

Food: Somaliland offers a wide variety of delicious dining options. All meats and fish, together with a wide variety of vegetables, rice, and regional bread, are readily available, with the exception of chicken and obviously pork. Be open to dining at well-known street vendors; their food is excellent and incredibly reasonably priced.  Restaurants are less plentiful (vegetarians take note) and close early when you go farther from Hargeisa, so pack extra snacks.

 Tips on how to travel to Somaliland by land

•  How to get from Djibouti to Somaliland: Take this route, and everything went smoothly. There is a pickup location for 4×4 vehicles going to Somaliland in Djibouti City. The reason I say 4×4 is that after crossing the border, there are no roads until Borama, which is over 300 kilometers away. After that, it’s all desert and sand. It was a really exciting journey.
•  How to get to Somaliland from Ethiopia is Very easy. You can get out of Somaliland. The most popular and nearest city is Harar, but you might not be able to get a direct ride to the border. Instead, you should go to Jijiga, which is the capital of Ethiopian Somalia.
•  Yes, here’s how to get from Oman to Somaliland. It is entirely legal and feasible to enter Somaliland by water via Berbera from Salalah (Oman). On a cargo ship.
• How to get from Somalia to Somaliland-The border here is closed.

Tips on how to travel to Somaliland by air

There are flights from Addis Ababa, Djibouti, Dubai, and Jeddah to Hargeisa’s international airport.

You should look into Fly Dubai, Air Djibouti, Daallo Airlines, and Ethiopian Airlines.

How to get a visa for Somaliland

First of all, unlike Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan (see my travel guide there), Somaliland operates as an autonomous nation and is therefore subject to distinct immigration regulations even though it is nominally part of Somalia.

This implies that you cannot enter Somalia with a valid tourist visa to Somaliland and vice versa.

As a result, you must locate a unique Somaliland Mission in order to apply for your visa rather than going through a Somalia Embassy.

But because Somaliland isn’t a recognized nation, things are especially difficult because there aren’t many missions there worldwide.

Safety 

Contrary to popular belief in the media, Somaliland is a highly safe country. Compared to most other nations in this region, the majority of our visitors believe it to be safer. Additionally, female travelers generally feel welcomed and safe. The locals are inquisitive and amiable. The tour includes a Special Police Unit Member (SPU) outside the cities. The Somaliland government has made this a requirement in order to protect the safety of visitors. The SPU is merely an additional precaution and a means of bringing in money for the police.

Geography and Environment

In the Horn of Africa, Somaliland is a sovereign nation that borders Somalia to the east, the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, and the Republic of Djibouti to the west. It is 137.600 square kilometers in size. The bulk of Somaliland’s 850 kilometers (528 mi) of coastline is located in the Gulf of Aden.

The weather in Somaliland is a mix of dry and wet. The region’s northern portion is hilly, with elevations ranging from 900 to 2,100 meters (3,000 to 6,900 feet) above sea level in some locations. While Togdheer is primarily a semi-desert area with sparsely populated fertile areas, the regions of Awdal, Sahil, and Maroodi Jeex (Woqooyi Galbeed) are fertile and mountainous. Mangroves, coral reefs, and offshore islands are among the other notable features of the Awdal region.

Responsible Travel

Helping out the community: The goal of each and every one of our trips is to make a direct positive impact on the locals. Locals own all that we utilize. From the lodging, restaurants to everything else needed to facilitate the tours.

Social and Responsible Travel: Since 2017, we have been pleased to be a part of Responsible Travel. Our primary focus is on aiding Somaliland’s natural and archeological site preservation. We must confess this is not easy since Authorities and people in these kinds of countries have other priority such as providing food on the table. Nonetheless, it is still our duty to educate the community and take as much action as we can.

Can I find ATM’s and exchange money?

A few ATMs from Premier Bank, Salaam Bank, and Dahabshil Bank are present. You can get cash out of ATMs if you have a Master or Visa card. Be aware that using your credit card to withdraw more than the allowed amount is subject to a surcharge. The street money exchangers allow you to convert US dollars for different currencies.

Climate: From May to September, Somaliland has intense heatwaves that make it impossible to engage in nearly any outdoor activity. Winter, from December to February, is thought to be the ideal season to go. However, Berbera will remain extremely warm and humid even during these winter months. Recognize that regular business operations will halt during Ramadan, which could make it more difficult for you to schedule tours and other activities.

Health: Bring all prescriptions with you, including the customary for travellers (such as treatment for wounds, scrapes, and traveller’s diarrhoea). The greatest medical facilities in the nation are in Berbera and Hargeisa, the capital. It’s possible that specialty medical care is unavailable outside of certain regions.

Communication: Telephone service is available and functional between the cities of Hargeisa and Berbera. But everywhere you go, you can never rely on the Internet, and it seems to become worse at night. Installing the “Lite” versions of Facebook and Messenger, which are better suited for locations with weak connections, is highly advised if you plan to use social media (like Facebook). Additionally, try browsers like Opera Mini that include a “turbo” or similar option if you’re using them in this area.

Electricity: The nation’s electricity supply is steady, particularly in the main urban areas. The consistency of the electricity supply will decrease as you travel to more rural areas.

Culture & Customs: You won’t be approached by an angry drunk on the street because alcohol is illegal in Somaliland. Don’t even consider bringing any booze into the nation as a result. Nonetheless, the majority of Somaliland’s male population appears to like smoking khat, a somewhat psychedelic plant. Though none of it was frightening, this did occasionally provide for some fascinating talks. Be advised that in Somaliland, photography is a touchy subject.

Always get permission before taking a picture of someone. Most of the time, adults will say no, however youngsters and adult males will usually say yes. People from Somaliland are immensely proud of their nation and frequently point out the distinctions between it and Somalia. They will go above and above to make sure you have a good time and develop favorable impressions of their nation.  Kindly refrain from ever claiming that Somalilanders are a part of Somalia. A remark like that is taken extremely badly.

Language: Somali is the official language of Somaliland. Although many people speak it, English is not a language that is extensively used. You will probably run against linguistic difficulties wherever you go outside of Hargeisa.

Currency: The Somaliland Shilling is the currency used in Somaliland; it should be noted that this is not the same as the Somali Shilling. Take enough of US cash with you to exchange because there aren’t any ATMs in the nation. Although Euros and Ethiopian Birr are also accepted, US dollars should always be your first option as they are the most widely used foreign money.

Insurance: Be warned that many insurers will not insure you for any travel to Somaliland, because they consider it to be part of Somalia, especially if you are a citizen of a nation that deems the country’ hazardous to travel’. If this describes you, please do some study to determine your choices, if any.

What to Wear: Since Somaliland is a conservative nation, dress appropriately. This implies that headscarves and long, baggy garments are appropriate for women. Men should wear long sleeves and slacks and dress conservatively as well. Although it is not legally obligatory to wear a headscarf or dress conservatively, failing to do so is regarded as extremely disrespectful.