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.