The Capes of Guardafui and Ras Hafun

The Capes of Guardafui and Ras Hafun

The Capes of Guardafui and Ras Hafun is a headland in the Puntland region. It forms the geographical apex of the Horn of Africa together with Puntland’s Gardafuul administrative province. After Ras Hafun, Cape Guardafui is the second easternmost point on mainland Africa. After it, the offshore oceanic strait Guardafui Channel (or Marinka Gardafuul) is named. Ancient Egyptians regularly visited Cape Guardafui and Cape Ras Hafun in order to collect myrrh; they called this land The Land of Punt. During Roman times, the area was known as Promontorium Aromata. Named after the tribe in the area, Guardaf, the name Guardafui comes from the tribesmen. 

Cape Guardafui and Cape Ras Hafun, Somalia, are the easternmost points of mainland Africa.

In the “Horn of Africa”, the biggest peninsula on the continent, it is clearly visible. Its extreme tip is hilly and covered with deserts and semi-deserts. Cape Guardafui, at the extreme end of the peninsula, and Cape Ras Xaafuun, an island formed like a mini-peninsula south of Cape Guardafuun and located a bit further east, appear to be the easternmost points of Africa.

Today, Cape Ras Xaafuun is in Puntland, in Somalia, and is part of the region known as Somalia. Its mini-peninsula is almost an island, connected to the mainland only by a thin sand strip. It is much more remote, but at the same time, more beautiful and exotic than the westernmost tip of the continent.

The easternmost point of mainland Africa is Cape Guardafui and Ras Hafun.

Trying to arrange a trip on your own is quite challenging, but Visit Horn Africa offers a 6 days trip on this link that you can book anytime. First of all, it is located in one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Somalia has a government, but it does not control the whole country, and there is still anarchy, terrorism, and kidnapping of foreigners. Due to this, tourism in this region is almost nonexistent.

It’s up to you whether you want to risk your life, but our arrangements and guidance will make the trip unforgettable. The first step is to enter Somalia or Somaliland. It is easiest to arrive in Bosaso, the third-largest city in the country, located in its northeastern corner. The trip to Bosaso is relatively safe, and you can fly from Dubai, Addis Abeba, or Nairobi.

Bosaso to Cape Guardafui or Ras Xaafuun road

It is from there that the danger begins. To begin with, you have to rent a car. Fortunately, many local rental car agencies can be found, but you still have to be wary of scams and fraud. In the desert mountainous areas, partly controlled by ISIS, you must drive for at least 10 hours to the town of Hafun.

By the time you reach Hafun, it is safer to walk to the easternmost tip of Africa, preferably with a local guide. Additionally, you can find accommodations there, and enjoy the peninsula and surrounding coastline fairly safely for a few more days (it really doesn’t make sense to risk your life just to take a few photos at the easternmost tip of Africa and then immediately return to Bosaso). Once that’s done, you’ll have to go back. You should be aware that such a journey is dangerous at the moment! Getting a visa permit is the most challenging, and you need to get approval before you arrive, so arranging with local agencies or professional tour operators like us is the only way to get it.