Spending a Week in Somaliland

On your second day in Somaliland, you’ll take a full-day tour of Hargeisa’s most iconic landmarks. The first stop is the War Memorial, a monument that pays tribute to the soldiers who fought for Somaliland’s independence. Next, you’ll visit the National Museum of Somaliland, which houses a collection of artifacts that showcase the country’s rich history and culture. Other highlights of the tour include the camel market and the Hargeisa Cultural Centre. Overnight in Hargeisa at Damal hotel or similar.

After breakfast, you’ll leave Hargeisa for a day trip to Laas Geel, a complex of caves and rock shelters that feature some of the most impressive Neolithic rock art in Africa. The paintings depict wild animals, ancient pastoralists, and other scenes from prehistoric times. From Laas Geel, you’ll head to the coastal city of Berbera, upon arrival, visit a historical Ottoman Mosque and Ottoman houses. Late lunch was served at an Ottoman house. Take a short boat trip to go hunt for shipwrecks in the Gulf of Aden. Relax and swim at an untouched beach, where local youth and families come and enjoy their downtime. (Due to local culture, ladies will need to cover their bodies while in water.) Tour the historic town of Berbera in the early evening, where you will find more Ottoman, Persian, and British architecture of historic interest. This will be a great chance for some amazing photographs at sunset. Overnight in Berbera at Damal hotel or similar.

Today, you’ll explore the region around Berbera, drive to the small town of Sheikh in the mountains, stop for some tea, walk around and enjoy the pleasant climate. Visit the ruins of Ferdusa – a 16th-century city. The town is known for its many ancient tombs, some of which date back to the 13th century. After Sheikh, you’ll head back to Hargeisa, stopping along the way to admire the stunning scenery and take some memorable photos. Overnight in Hargeisa at Damal hotel or similar.

On day five, you’ll head to Dhagah Kure, it’s an archaeological site located on the western side of Hargeisa, the capital city of Somaliland. Similar to the famous Laas Geel rock art site, Dhagah Kure features a collection of ancient cave paintings that date back thousands of years. While Dhagah Kure is not as well-known as Laas Geel, it is still a fascinating and important site for anyone interested in the prehistory of Africa. Visitors can explore the caves and marvel at the intricate and detailed paintings, which have been remarkably well-preserved over the centuries. After Dhagah Kure, you’ll continue on to Borama, a city in the northwestern part of Somaliland that is known for its vibrant markets and lively street life. Overnight in Borama at Rays hotel or similar.

After breakfast, Borama city sightseeing, Borama is an important education center and is the home of the historic Amoud University. The first post-war institution of higher learning throughout Somaliland. Morning Borama sightseeing and Amoud University then back to Hargeisa. On the way back we stop at the nomadic settlement of Jufo, before returning to Hargeisa. Overnight in Hargeisa at Damal hotel or similar.

Your one-week tour in Somaliland comes to an end on day seven, with your departure from Hargeisa. Depending on your flight schedule.