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TravelTips24 : Africa : East Africa : Somalia : Somaliland

Somaliland

Somaliland is an unrecognized state in the northwest of Somalia. Although the government is trying to establish a modicum of safety in Somaliland, visiting is still not advised.

Regions

The 6 regions of Somalia within Somaliland are:

Cities

  • Hargeisa is the capital city of Somaliland, and is perhaps the safest city in all of Somaliland. Its very cosmopolitian and very diverse historical, cultural. Hargeisa is a city in transition as it seeks to improve its urban forms after being consistantly bombed to the ground by the forces of the former dictator Siad Barre.
  • Berbera, which is the economic lifeline of the Somaliland economy has also undergone dramatic changes, both to its size and urban forms.

Other destinations

Talk

The official language of The Republic of Somaliland is Somali, and the second language is Arabic. English is the other language that is used.

Culture and History

Somaliland is a very peaceful country, very rarely is there fighting, and like most countries there is police, and the law is followed.

Travel to Somaliland & Visa Requirements

You need a Somaliland visa to enter - do note that Somali visas are not accepted. Most travellers get a visa in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. Contact the Somaliland liaison office in Addis Ababa, phone +251 11 635921. To get to the office you should find the Awraris Hotel, and follow the dirt road that runs down the side of the hotel for 200 metres, then turn right and continue another 200 metres. A Somaliland visa is also allegedly available from the Somaliland representation in Djibouti. The unofficial Somaliland "embassy" in London will also issue a visa. The whole process is refreshingly unbureaucratic and can be handled by post, which makes London the most convenient place to get a visa for travellers who live in Europe and/or want to obtain a visa before travelling to the region.

Flights and airtickets to Somaliland

There is an international airport in Hargeisa, with flights to/from Addis Ababa, Dubai, Djibouti City, and many other cities and towns across Africa and Somaliland.

By car

It is possible enter Somaliland from Ethiopia by road. You can avoid paying many of the fees charged at the airport. Despite government efforts, there are still mines on some of the roads.

Tours & Getting around Somaliland

There is a bus service in Hargeisa, Burao, Berbera and Borama. There are also services between the major towns and adjacent villages operated by different types of vehicles such as 4 wheel drives and light goods vehicles (LGV).

Somaliland attractions and sightseeing

The capital, Hargeisa, has a provincial museum. There is also a menagerie that includes lions, leopards, antelopes, birds, and reptiles. Outside of Hargeisa, is the Laas Gaal, a complex of caves and rock shelters that contain some of the earliest known art in the Horn of Africa and the African continent, dating back to 9,000 B.C.

Somaliland city tours

Somaliland Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

For breakfast, Somalis eat a flat bread called laxoox and cereal or porrige made of millet or cornmeal. Somalis eat rice or noodles with sauce or meat for lunch. Pasta became very popular under Italian rule. Bananas are common in the south of the region. A traditional soup called maraq (also part of Yemen cuisine)is made of vegetables, meat and beans and is usually eaten with flat bread or pitta bread. Beans are usually eaten for dessert, also oat or corn patties and salad can be eaten too.

Though not commonly served,Somalis eat Xalwo, a jelly-like sweet made with water, sugar, and honey, though peanuts are sometimes added. Arab Somalis eat baklava. Dates are also popular in Somaliland

In Somali culture, is polite for guests to leave a little bit of food on their plate after finishing a meal provided by their host. This shows that the guests was given enough food.

Somaliland nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Many of the Somalis adore spiced tea. Milk is also common in rural areas of Somaliland. Alcohol is prohibited and you will not find it publicly served anywhere in the country.

Somaliland cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

There are hotels being constructed in all of Somaliland's major cities. Hargesia has seen most development, with regards to its infrastructural capacity, the airport has been expanded to cater for an increase in tourists, both foreign and domestic.

Stay healthy

Locals in Hargeisa drink tap water fixed by the Chinese government. The cleanliness is not splendid, just okay. Stay safe and drink bottled water.

The infrastructure of this region is still in shambles and that includes Health Care. If you have health problems or have concerns about getting treatment in an emergency, you will be putting yourself at great risk as the medical services are primitive and unsanitary by modern standards in most areas.

Stay safe

Somaliland is relatively safer compared to other parts of Somalia. Knowing a little of the local language or having an interpreter can go along way in gaining information from the local population, which is a valuable tool if you wish learn about the surrounding area.

The Republic of Somaliland is not recognized by any government. If you run into legal problems you are on your own, as there are no Consulates to turn to for help. Learning of local customs and laws is very important if you wish minimize the chances of conflict with local authorities.

Get out

This page was last edited at 12:14, on 16 September 2008 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Hu Jintao, Anthony Lorentsen, Jani Patokallio and Todd VerBeek, Wikitravel user(s) W66LinkBot and Jonboy, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.

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