Somalia Travel Guide

Here you will find our Somalia travel guide which includes information about how to travel to Somalia, Mogadishu tour, Somalia Visa, travel rules, safety tips and the top-rated travel experiences in Somalia, advice on the best time to visit Somalia, Somalia Places of interest, Understanding Somalia, Somalia tour packages, and other ideas.

Somalia Travel Guide – Visit Somalia – Travel to Mogadishu is a phrase that will surprise you due to the danger involved. Travelling to Mogadishu or Somalia may be one of the most dangerous experiences of your life since it was the site of the dramatic ‘Black Hawk Down’ escape and is a key hub of Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda offshoot. Despite all of this, tourists visit Mogadishu and are not targeted, although we provide security while they are here. 

Visit Horn Africa sent its first tourists in 2012, two Americans and three Russians. There are approximately five tourists per month who book tour packages with us from Somaliland and Mogadishu combined.

Understanding Somalia – Somalia sits on the horn of Africa, forming a link between the Arab world and the African continent. The country has its own unique culture. 

Somalia consists of five federal states, as well as breakaway Somaliland, since 1991, and is a federal state that is not recognized internationally. After being isolated for two decades due to severe instability in the region, we can now take small groups to many parts of Somaliland and to the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu. It is true that Somalia offers both unique opportunities as well as unique dangers. Please contact us for more information on how we can help you make your vacation as memorable as it can possibly be.

Somalia Places of Interest

Mogadishu – In 2011, the African Union army liberated Mogadishu from the Al Shabab Islamists. Development and some security have slowly trickled into the city since then, and we can now take our guests to the majority of the Somali capital. Our tour guides can show you the markets, including the atmospheric fish market, the harbour, the beaches, and the crumbling waterfront of the former Italian colony.

We offer the same services that major news outlets receive when they are in the city, so if you need assistance researching or documenting anything in particular then let us know and we will design a trip specifically for you.

Kismayo – Located in the far south of Somalia, near the Kenyan border, Kismayo is a semi-autonomous region of Somalia and the capital of Jubbaland, which is one of the lushest regions of the country. A trip to Kismayo should include a stop at Goobweyn Junction, where the Jubba River empties into the Indian Ocean. A scenic spot where a variety of birds can be seen.

Best time to visit Somalia – You can travel to Mogadishu 365 days a year. Weather-wise the best months are from September to May.; all seasons are enjoyable. The weather should always be considered when planning a trip to Mogadishu or Somalia.

Somalia Visa – For foreigners who are planning a trip to Mogadishu, Kismayo and Puntland or other cities of Somalia, visas are available upon arrival, but it is necessary for them to have a sponsor to secure their visa and security. The sponsor will submit an application to the Ministry of Security in Puntland to request approval, and once the ministry approves of your stay, you will then be able to arrive in Puntland. There is a fee of $60 per person for the visa upon arrival in Puntland.

How I do get there? – The easiest way to reach Mogadishu is to fly with Turkish Airlines, one of the leading airlines in the world. Ethiopian Airlines and Qatar Airways are also offering flights to Mogadishu. From Nairobi and Dubai, Jubba Airlines, Daallo Airline and Fly-Sax offer flights to Mogadishu.

Money – The best form of currency is cash. The United States Dollar is the most convenient currency in this region. Unless you want to, you don’t have to exchange for local currency. You can find the most up-to-date exchange rates at www.xe.com

Electricity – Two-prong European style (type C).

Food – The geography of the coast means fish are plentiful. Camel meat is also available. You can use corn and millet in many dishes, including injera, which is a pancake commonly found in Ethiopia. Most dishes contain spices.

Alcohol – Somalia is an illegal territory where alcohol is not allowed to be consumed.

Somali Language – Somali, Arabic, and English are also widely spoken in the Puntland State of Somalia.

Somalia Religion – Sunni Islam is the religion of the Sunni denomination.

The Dress Code – For men, long trousers (cargo pants) or loose jeans are recommended. For women, long skirts and/or loose cargo pants with a top that covers the bum and hides the shape of the body are recommended. When outside the guesthouse, women should wear a headscarf.

Security & Safety for Puntland – Somalia is not recommended for travel by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It is due to the presence of anti-government forces in the country, government instability, and the potential for violent attacks at any given time. We avoid travelling to certain parts of the region and take precautions when we do travel to those areas. You can contact us if you would like more information on where we guide in this region and how we work to minimize risk for our guests and staff.

Recommended reading – The World’s Most Dangerous Place by James Fergusson, Crossbones by Nuruddin Farah, and The Orchard of Lost Souls by Nadifa Mohamed are recommended readings.