Vacationing in Somalia

Somalia is a country that has a history of violence and brutality. In 1991 the central government was overthrown and warring clans took control of Somali. These clans continue to fight amongst themselves in cities throughout the country. Gun fights and bombings take place on a daily basis in city centers, on the streets and in broad daylight. Many innocent bystanders are injured and killed because of clan wars. Somalia is not a safe place for independent travel, and vacation to Somalia is not recommended. Should you choose to ignore the travel warnings and vacation to Somalia anyway it is imperative that you consult an expert on the best ways to remain safe while in a war torn country. That being said, Somalia has a unique history of trade and commerce, and a vacation to Somalia would provide individuals with the opportunity to experience a country with an extraordinary blend of cultures.

Most travel agencies do not offer Somalia Vacation packages due to the danger presented by the current strife within the country. People who have planned a vacation to Somalia have visited cities such as Hargeysa, Mogadishu, El Harar, Darin Tog and Badhan. Any Somalia Vacation should include a trip to Hargeysa, as it is one of the safest places in Somalia for travelers. It is the largest city in Somalialand, as well as the capital city. While you are walking around Hargeysa you may notice a unique war memorial which includes a civil war era plane atop a building. Another exceptional site that should be seen on a Somalia vacation are the Neolithic cave paintings, which are located on the outskirts of Hargeysa. These cave paintings have been excellently preserved throughout history. Other than these locations there are few tourist spots in Hargeysa, however you can find plenty of quaint cafes and restaurants with delicious food, as well as novel teashops. The streets of Hargeysa are always bustling and the markets are always busy. If you are planning a vacation to Somalia you will undoubtedly want to visit the capital city, however this may not be in your best interest. The city of Mogadishu is the capital city of Somalia. It is very unsafe to travel to Mogadishu, as it is overrun by chaos and lawlessness. Many of the buildings in the capital city are in ruins due to the civil war, however there is one building that remains in tact and is a beautiful destination for people who vacation to Somalia. This building is the Mosque of four pillars, or the Arba-Rucun Mosque. The Mosque was built in 1269 and it is believed that it was built by a descendant of the Prophet Mohammad. Because of it’s religious significance, warlords agree on protecting the mosque. A Somalia vacation should include a visit to the city of Badhan which provides travelers with beautiful views and opportunities for outdoor activities. Rock mountains, extraordinary trees and grasslands teeming with wildlife can be found on the outskirts of Badhan. One very bizarre Somalia vacation is offered by Somali cruises. They charge people $800 dollars a day in order to sail up and down the Somali coast and scout pirates. They encourage vacationers to bring their own weapons, but if they should not have any there are a variety of weapons available to rent. Somali cruises guarantees customers that they will experience two attempted hijackings and if they do not they will be refunded. I would not recommend this ‘vacation’ for any sane person. Though travel to Somalia is very difficult right now, hopefully the internal civil strife will soon come to an end, making a Somalia vacation a safe and fun adventure.

Traveling to Somalia

Because Somalia is a country that is rife with violence and war, travel to Somalia is not recommended. There is a great deal of violence that takes place in Somalia everyday, and therefore independent travel to Somalia is not safe. People who must travel to Somalia for academic, research or business purposes should seek guidance from an expert on how to remain as safe as possible in a war torn country. That being said, if you do have to go there Somalia travel offers a great deal of beautiful sites for people to bask in, as well as a rich culture for people to experience. The beaches of Somalia are gorgeous, especially the beach around Mogadishu, however this may not be a safe option due to the presence of warlords and pirates along the coast. Las Geel is a site that contains hundreds of Neolithic cave paintings that have been well-preserved throughout history. Language may also be a barrier during Somalia travel. The use of language is very important to Somalians, therefore you should talk. Many Somalians are able to speak some English, as well as Arabic, however, if you are able to learn some Somali words locals will be appreciative that you tried.
Halal foods make up the majority of Somalian diet. Most of Somalian food and dishes are based on meat and vegetables are used as side dishes. During Somalia travel it is important to keep in mind that Somalians do not eat pork or consume alcohol, as this is against Islamic law. During Somalia travel the only form of currency that you will use is the 1000 shilling. Bartering is very common in Somalia, so if you do have goods that you can barter with they will be very useful to you.

Somalia travel may be difficult because there are very few safe way to get into and around the country. There is only one international airport in Somalia, Daallo Airlines. The other airport, Jubba Airways, only has incoming flights from a handful of domestic cities. There are ports that allow people into the country, however travel by boat is not safe because of pirates that operate in nearby waters. Travel into the country by car is also not recommended, as the borders are sealed, protected and usually unsafe. Also, since the government has been unstable and in a state of turmoil for over eighteen years the roads are in terrible condition and few, or no, traffic laws are upheld in the country.

If you travel to Somalia you must remember to maintain a great deal of respect for the people and their beliefs. For instance, if you go to a beach it is important to keep in mind that women must swim completely clothed. It is against Somalian custom for a woman to show her body in public. Do not wear short skirts, tank tops or any types of clothing that reveals a lot of skin. It is considered disrespectful to take photographs of women and the use of your left hand for shaking hands or eating is looked down upon. It is important that you review the customs and beliefs of the country before you travel to Somalia.