Travel in Hargeisa, Somaliland – Everything You Need To Know

Travel in Hargeisa, Somaliland – Everything You Need To Know

Your money will return but the time will not so travel it is a famous saying or for me more like a motivational quote to encourage people to travel. Each year thousands of o people make their traveling plans, they do research, and ask the internet about where to go. Many international institutions like the World Economic Forum ranked the countries based on safety and security, tourism infrastructure and cultural resources and tourists mostly like to visit these countries.

But it’s a huge beautiful world, which is full of surprises and diversity to offer no matter where you go. Just don’t limit yourself only to the countries which you find online or mostly heard off. A pro tip from seasoned backpackers is going for the destination which is less discovered or not much discussed in traveling circles, why? You will explore what a very few people have watched and experienced and it always feels good to tell a story about a place which people never heard of.

Speaking about less traveled areas, Africa holds so much in its pocket but unfortunately, it never gets into the spotlight to attract the tourists. You may not have heard of Hargeisa because it is the capital and largest city of the self-declared republic of Somaliland which does not exist in the eyes of the rest of the world.

 Even though it’s a peaceful and friendly place there is very little tourism and no tourist industry. Almost all the foreigners or visitors are working for an NGO or other organizations. Hargeisa is an ‘unsafe place to visit’ is preconceived by many people but the fact is all you need is just a little planning to ensure a pleasant trip.

So the first thing first, do we need a visa to visit Somaliland? And the answer is yes you do need a visa beforehand. Visa can be obtained at the Somaliland representative offices in Addis Ababa (in person) or London (in person or by post). After that, all you need to book a cheap flight to Hargeisa and you are on your way to the land of less traveled. Hargeisa International Airport (HGA) connects the city with a variety of locations in East Africa, just be sure to confirm that the airline you use flies in and out of Hargeisa.

After arriving, foreigners are requested to exchange the US $50 to Somaliland shillings but it is not always enforced by the land authorities. But it is advised by the travelers not to exchange your currency in shillings as a dollar is accepted in the country and secondly when you arrive ask for de facto exchange rate it will be better than the exchange rate at the airport. One thing to mention here, you won’t be able to change your shillings back to US dollars when you are leaving so it is better to exchange small amounts of dollars into shillings and spend all of it during your trip. 

So, ok now, you are standing at the airport and here comes the second most important question: where to stay? There are plenty of options available where you can stay; obviously, you cannot compare these with the luxurious five-star hotels with all the facilities but they are quite reasonable and don’t burden your pocket as well. These places include The Oriental Hotel, Ambassador Hotel, Damal Hotel, Maan-Soor Hotel and a few others. Most hotels provide transport; pick up from the airport they also offer visa assistance.

In Hargeisa majority of the population is Muslim so to show respect t the local culture it is better to cover yourself properly, female travelers must cover their head, and men should not wear shorts or sleeveless t-shirts. Although people are friendly but don’t take pictures without permission as it may cause an uncomfortable situation. 

One most important thing to know before booking cheap flights to Hargeisa is that there are very few tourist sites and activities. All you can do is to wander in the surrounding areas of the city and enjoy a bite with the locals who will be truly interested in listening to your story and reasons why are you visiting their country and one thing for sure you can make very good friends during your trip as people are very friendly and polite.

There are some sites and landmarks which may interest you, like visiting Central Market can be an overwhelming experience. Such markets sell all kinds of goods, so if you are looking for souvenirs to take back home, you won’t be disappointed. You can also visit Jama Mosque, Livestock market and MiG Jet memorial.

You can also arrange an optional day trip in the countryside outside Hargeisa like Laas Gaal; it is a complex of caves and rock shelters that contain excellently preserved cave paintings dating back to 9,000 BCE. The Red Sea beaches at Berbera are a three-hour drive away and could make a nice day trip or a relaxing weekend away. 

This Somaliland city is generally safe with little crime reported against the tourists and foreigners but it is wise to take some precautionary measures to be safe during your trip. Getting a travel insurance policy is always a good idea. It is too hot during the daytime so this city comes alive in the evening; however, it is not recommended to walk around after dark, especially for female travelers. If you would like to go out after dark asks the guys in your hotel to arrange a taxi or driver to take you. 

If you leave the city you will be asked to a government security guard with you known as SPU. It is possible to slide away from this requirement but you must have the proper paper with you otherwise you will be stopped at every checkpoint or there is a possibility that you don’t get permission to go further this is also done for your own safety. 

So here it is a few things for you to know before planning a trip to Hargeisa if we compare this African country to most popular tourist destinations in the world it has nothing much to offer but what it offers its matchless.