Our Somaliland holidays & tours
Despite wonderfully preserved rock art to rival that found anywhere else in Africa, fascinating Ottoman era architecture, abundant wildlife, and a beautiful crowd-free coastline, Somaliland remains well beyond the tourist trail. In fact, it is not officially recognised internationally as a country. But those who do venture here on our Somaliland holidays will find a place and a people very conscious of their own identity and happy to share it with visitors. Local guides are a perfect introduction to ways of life here, whether you’re visiting a nomadic farming settlement for lunch with a family, or browsing market stalls laden with khat, frankincense and myrrh.
Somaliland and Djibouti tailor made tour
A pioneering overland journey through Djibouti & Somaliland
From
US $2750
10 days
ex flights
Dijbouti and Somaliland tour, the Horn of Africa
Nomads, impressive rock art and geological phenomena
From
£3249 to £3299
10 days
ex flights
Tour of Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somaliland
A comprehensive cultural trip through the Horn of Africa.
From
£4899 to £5099
13 days
ex flights
Somaliland cultural tour
Group tour exploring the undiscovered delights of Somaliland
From
£2415
7 days
ex flights
Complete Africa overland expedition, 47 weeks
The ultimate Trans African overland camping adventure
From
£10995
300 days
ex flights
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Somaliland map & highlights
There’s enough to enjoy in this unofficial country for a whole week, with the capital Hargeisa a good base for excursions out to the west through Somaliland’s fertile agricultural region to Borama, or to the northeast, to the coast at Berbera, the rock art at Las Geel and the cool, green mountains around Sheikh. With no tourism infrastructure, you’ll need to join a small group or tailor made tour, with an experienced driver and a four wheel drive capable of reaching remote sites. Longer trips of two weeks that visit Ethiopia or Djibouti might also include a flight between Addis Ababa and Hargeisa.
Berbera
1. Berbera
Coastal Berbera was one of the Somali city states that formed a lucrative trade network connecting merchants from Greece, Phoenicia, Persia and the Roman Empire. Today, it’s on the strategic oil route and has a deep sea port. Its old quarter, Darole, has Ottoman and British era buildings and atmospheric streets, while beachside hotels provide a base for swimming and snorkelling.
Borama
2. Borama
To the west of the capital Hargeisa, Borama is an important centre for education and home to the historic Amoud University, the first post civil war institution of higher learning in Somaliland, founded in 1998. To reach Borama, pass through the breadbasket of Somaliland, around the towns of Arabsiyo and Gabiley, where a huge range of crops, fruit and veg is grown.
Dhagah Khoure
3. Dhagah Khoure
Another fascinating rock art site, though not as colourful or complex as Las Geel, Dhagah Khoure lies 45km northwest of the capital, off the road to Borama. There are several painted rock shelters, with images dating back 5,000 years of cows, giraffe, sheep and humans holding bows. The eerie, striking landscape around is also worth seeing and you’ll pass small semi-nomadic communities on the way here.
Hargeisa
4. Hargeisa
Somaliland’s capital city is home to many markets – including the gold, livestock and khat markets – where you can meet friendly traders and the moneychangers who sit on the street with huge piles of Somaliland shillings. The memorial to the victims of Somalia’s bombing of Hargeisa during the civil war in the 1980s is a must-see, featuring a crashed Somali air force MiG 17 fighter.
Las Geel
5. Las Geel
The caves at Las Geel are one of Africa’s most important rock art sites and, thanks to this region being a no-go zone for so long, remain immaculately preserved. Between 5,000 and 7,000 years old, these colourful images of cows with lyre-shaped horns and patterned mats on their necks, plus humans and dogs, depict the early days of livestock domestication and the human reverence for these animals.
Sheikh
6. Sheikh
The snaking Berbera to Burao road winds up into the cool Sheikh mountains, revealing a green landscape where goat herders live and offering long views of the dry plains below. In the town of Sheikh you can visit the ruins of Ferdusa, a 16th century city, or just enjoy a break from the lowland heat. The many schools here give the town a dynamic feel.
Our Somaliland holidays reviews
5
2Somaliland holidays reviews
Diane Few17 Jan 2025
It was an amazing experience. Huge contrast between Djbouti and Somaliland. Volcanic to sand. Somaliland was a wonderful surprise. Very religious but welcoming and friendly. They are so proud of their country and really deserve UN
recognition.read more
Family from the UK28 Apr 2022
The country, lake Abbe, Djibouti City, Tadjoura, the Good mountains and Sable Blanc ... followed by Lake Assal, the Rift Valley canyon, the volcano, the ferry ride across the gulf of Tadjoura. Our guide, Akram was a gem - enthusiastic, very well informed, curious, speaks 7 languages and had a great sense of humour. read more
