Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia is a sovereign country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, the Gulf of Aden to the north, the Indian Ocean to the east, and Kenya to the southwest. Somalia has the longest coastline on Africa’s mainland.

Everybody knows about Somalia, but not many know about Somaliland, a territory within Somali boundaries that declared self-independence in 1991 but, since nobody in the international community recognized it as such, it became one of those self-administered ghost countries.

Legally, it belongs to Somalia but, from a tourism point of view, traveling to Somalia is like visiting a new country, a very intriguing and weird one.

Camel markets, medieval mosques, and ancient rock art painted by some of the oldest pastoralist societies, Somaliland is a truly off-the-beaten-path – and very safe – destination that you can’t miss on your trip to the Horn of Africa.

How to get to Somalia

Aden Adde International Airport formerly known as Mogadishu International Airport is an international airport serving Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

Plane travel may be problematic to/from Somalia, due to the recent bombings of the airport(s) by Ethiopian forces. However, air may be the safest means of travel to and from Somalia.

Uganda Airlines also operates flights from Entebbe to Mogadishu and another reliable way to get in seems to be with African Express, which has connections in Dubai, Nairobi, and other smaller Middle Eastern and East African ports of call. Tickets can be reserved in advance, but not purchased unless you are at their ticketing office – check back in to ensure you have a seat reserved if you will not be in the city you fly out of before your flight!

Passport, Visa, and Entry requirements for Somalia

A visa is required for travel to both Somalia and Punt land. All travelers to Somalia must have a passport, and it is advisable that the passport have 6 months of validity after the planned departure date from Somalia as well as at least one blank page for the entry stamp.

The health sector of Somalia

The health care system in Somalia remains weak, poorly resourced, and inequitably distributed. Health expenditure remains very low and there is a critical shortage of health workers. As a result, around 3.2 million women and men in Somalia are in need of emergency health services. Travelers are advised to pack a small medical kit with basic medical supplies and purchase travel and medical insurance before traveling to Somalia

Malaria and Yellow fever vaccination for Somalia

Upon arrival in Somalia, A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is only required for travelers 9 months of age and older coming from – or who are in airport transit for more than 12 hours within – a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission.

Currency of Somalia

The Somali shilling is the official currency of Somalia however travelers are advised to travel with cash as there are limited ATM machines outside Mogadishu and even the use of credit card machines are not popular and if you have issues with the use of your card you may find it difficult to get assisted.

Official Language of Somalia

Somali is the official language of Somalia and as the local dialogue of the Somali people is also its endoplasmic language, it is a member of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic family, and its nearest relatives are the Afar and Saho languages. Somali is the best documented of the Cushitic languages, with academic studies of it dating from before 1900.

Best time to travel to Somalia

Weather-wise, the best time to visit the country is early during the second winter dry season, Hagaa, in the months of January and February. At this time, the humidity of the rainy season has subsided but the temperatures are also not as high as those experienced during the first dry season, Jilal.

What to wear in Somalia

Somalia is a very hot country and heavily Islamic state so traveling with full-body clothes is recommended while traveling to Somalia as a rule of sharia law more especially for women.

What to bring while traveling to Somalia

Cash may be a key requirement for making payments for drinks, food, and tips as opposed to using your card though some places may take the card it’s better to have cash and a small medical kit is very essential while traveling to Somalia or Somaliland contact your doctor for what to pack or contact Wilderness explorers Africa and also bear mind your traveling to a country that is very hot.

Car hire and driving in Somalia

Self-drive is not allowed in Somalia but in Somaliland people can self-drive

Foreigners can drive on their own license in Somaliland but the law states -” a person holding a driving license or other international authorizing documents for driving issued by a foreign country can drive the same-weighed transport authorized in Somaliland.

Accommodation in Somalia

Mogadishu, Somali Muqdisho, Italian Mogadiscio, Arabic Maqdishu is the capital and the largest city, and a major port of Somalia, located just north of the Equator on the Indian Ocean. You get accommodation in Mogadishu but outside Mogadishu, since travel is restricted there is not a lot of information about accommodation outside Mogadishu

Local food of Somalia

Somali cuisine varies from region to region and is a fusion of different Somali culinary traditions. It is the product of Somalia’s tradition of trade and commerce. Some notable Somali delicacies include Sabaayad/Kimis, Laxooh/Canjeero, xalwo, sambuusa, bariis iskukaris, and Muqmad/Odkac.

Tipping while Travelling in Somalia

Currently, the Republic of Somalia is not safe for traveling but travelers can visit Somaliland via Djibouti, and tipping is allowed and we recommend tipping generously during your visit as these are some of Africa’s poorest countries.

Further information for Somalia

Somalia is a country located in the Horn of Africa which is bordered by Kenya to the southwest, the Gulf of Aden and Yemen to the north, the Indian Ocean to the east, Ethiopia to the west, and Djibouti to the northwest. The country has maintained a free market economy despite its instability.

Safety of Somalia

Traveling to Somalia is heavily restricted due to armed conflict, the ongoing very high threat of terrorist attack and kidnapping, and dangerous levels of violent crime.

Daallo Mountain national park

Hargeisa National Park

Hobyo grasslands and shrublands

Jilib National Park

Kismayo National Park

Lag Badana National Park

Wildlife

Birds

Vegetation

4 Days Luxury Somalia safari Holiday

7 Days Discover Somaliland safaris

10 Days Somaliland and Djibouti Expedition

Hargeisa city tours Somaliland

Mogadishu city Tours Somalia

The Cave Art Of Laas Geel

Visit and explore the Beaches Of Berbera

Visit the Saryan Museum in Somalia