OUR DESTINATIONS
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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Africa
- Somalia
Somalia
Even before its current state of anarchy, Somalia was not
somewhere people were rushing to visit. The terrain is mostly
desert, the climate uniformly hot and rainfall irregular at best.
Now however, it is completely off-limits, not only to travellers,
but hardy NGO workers, soldiers and gung-ho backpackers as
well.
In fact, given the almost total disorder prevailing here, the
complete absence of government, and frequency of ambushes, murders,
kidnappings and intermittent faction fighting, this is the one
country on earth travellers should leave off their itineraries. Not
even Chuck Norris would visit.
The capital, Mogadishu, has the distinction of being the most
lawless city on earth. Its former colonial edifices are now reduced
to pockmarked husks, its busy streets devoid of activity, and its
tormented, famously industrious people engaging in only the most
rudimentary commerce. On the plus side, Mogadishu is the only place
in the country with reliable Internet access.
Since 1991 Somalia has effectively been divided into three
separate states: Somalia to the south, the independent state of
Somaliland in the middle, and Puntland to the north. Of the three,
Somaliland is the only destination with a proper administration and
some sense of peace and stability.
Somalia has recently achieved notoriety by hosting the single
biggest upsurge in piracy since Blackbeard learnt to sail. Centred
on the remote port of Eyl, the Somalia pirates are a law unto
themselves, hijacking ships for ransom and governing their region
with total impunity.
One day peace will come to this tragic part of the world. When
it does, tourists will experience the thrill of a virtually
undiscovered destination. There are 3,000km (1,864 miles) of
beaches, fabulous corals and mountains to see; world-class
Neolithic rock paintings and astounding scuba diving at Las Geel;
plus the unique Somali culture with its warm welcome and tasty
food.
Information & Facts
Customs
Somalia practises very strict and conservative cultural
traditions. As a predominantly Islamic country, it is not
permissible to photograph women, policemen, or any military
building or personnel. Avoid religious debates and respect Islamic
traditions such as the call to prayer, and fasting during Ramadan.
Alcohol is prohibited in Somalia. Always dress conservatively: men
should wear long pants, and women should keep their arms and leg
covered. Homosexuality is punishable by death. In greeting, only
members of the same clan exchange handshakes or kisses.
Duty Free
Visitors to Somalia may import up to 400 cigarettes/40
cigars/400g tobacco, one bottle of wine or spirits, and a
reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.
Passport Visa
Upon arrival all visitors over 18 years of age must exchange USD
100 or equivalent of other freely convertible foreign currencies
into local currency. It is highly recommended that passports have
at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of
departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often
apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official
sources.