Somaliland is one of the world’s most unique travel destinations. Contrary to popular opinion, it is safe to travel here. Citizens of the country and the areas which we will visit are astoundingly hospitable, friendly and of course fascinated by foreign visitors to their country. This is to be expected as the country may not feature on a typical run of the mill Africa tour! Like several of our international destinations for 2018, Somaliland is a de-facto state that does not currently enjoy recognition from the international community. Our three-nation Africa tour begins in the capital city of the Hargeisa. This is a special trip and you will be amazed at what Somaliland can offer in an incredible travel experience.
Up next it’s National Day in Eritrea. Many countries on the African continent continue to have their difficulties including Eritrea – however, the country is regarded as one of the most peaceful and welcoming countries in Africa. Eritrea sits west of the Red Sea and shares land borders with Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti. With no major influx of foreign visitors each year, much the countries coastline and outlying islands are in spectacular condition and of course, you will have the opportunity to swim in these amazing waters which may as well be an incredibly well-kept secret.
Like many of the destinations we visit internationally, Eritrea has been influenced by other nations and regions as a result of occupation, in this case by the Turks, Egyptians and Italians. In essence, you will see surprising undertones of European and Middle Eastern influences that have left their mark here including but not limited to ethnic, cultural and architectural joys that will instantly astound you. Asmara, Eritrea’s capital city is an incredible place.
Show itinerary
Wednesday 15th May
- Arrive in Hargeisa as per your own travel schedule.
- That evening we will have dinner at Syrian restaurant in the city which is run by citizens that fled the conflict there. The food is delicious and it’s popular with the locals. Afterwards, you can stroll around Hargeisa and be instantly amazed at all the activity you will see around you. You can buy some merchandise for the upcoming Somaliland independence day festivities if you like flags and t-shirts etc.
Thursday 16th May
- Visit the two hills called Naaso Hablood (“Girl’s Breasts”) also known as Hargeisa’s landmark. On the way we visit the cemetery for British Soldiers who died here battling against the Italians during the Second World War. Hargeisa is the former capital of British Somaliland, while Italy controlled what is now Somalia.
- Delicious lunch at a Somali-Yemeni restaurant and the chance to hear about the cultural and social history of the county and how it exists today from learned locals. A walking tour of the city of Hargeisa is a great way to take in the remarkable atmosphere of the place. We will see all the key sites in the city centre including the Fighter Jet Memorial in memory of the those killed during the civil war here.
- We check-out the bustling market in Hargeisa before getting some dinner and a night out in the city.
Friday 17th May
- Agriculture and farm animals are the lifeblood of many in the country, so after breakfast this morning we visit the commercial hub for the trading of camels and many other species important to the local people and even the economy of Somaliland.
- We travel to Laas Geel, estimated at the 10,000 years old is the site of some the most significant and artistically colourful early rock art anywhere.
- Make the 60km drive back to Hargeisa and spend the evening at your leisure.
Saturday 18th May - Somaliland Independence Day
- Not many people can say there were in Somaliland for the official Independence Day festivities but today is the day you get to experience this. Remember you taking part on the Independence Day celebrations of a country that is not recognised. After breakfast, we will be making our way onto the streets which will be emblazoned in colour and parades of the military and citizens.
- Later in the day and after we have gotten lunch, we will have an opportunity to talk with former child soldiers who have managed to get ahead in life and have become successful in business. If you like, you can sample some chaat (the mild stimulant) and of course tea while we talk with them.
- We will have a great evening over dinner and enjoy the party atmosphere on the streets.
Sunday 19th May
- Today we will take in quite a few sites and there will be an opportunity to experience more of this remarkable country. We will visit Barbera Port which is a key piece of infrastructure for the nation. We will have lunch at Ottoman houses after a visit to a mosque.
- Later we will take a quick boat ride to see boat wrecks which have succumb to the Gulf of Aden. There are some great beaches that we can stop at and take a swim. (Note: Ladies will need to be covered even while swimming)
- In the evening we will explore and discover Barbera centre and admire its combination of Persian, British and Ottoman architecture. Afterwards, we will relax and enjoy a seafood dinner on the waterfront.
Monday 20th May
- As if we have not already packed enough great visits in this itinerary and given you excellent opportunities to interact with the locals, we will this morning visit the cities Abaarso School and maybe try your hand being a teacher for the students! We will hear about how Somalilanders can make their way to MIT and Harvard.
- Lunch
- Airport transfer to catch the 5 pm flight to Asmara Airport in Eritrea (Ethiopian Airlines).
- End of Somaliland tour.
- Breakfast this morning and afterward, you can take a last look around Barbera. As we depart we will pay a visit to Barbera Airport. Again a key piece of national infrastructure. Not all the unrecognised countries we visit have an airport. In the case of Barbera Airport, it has one of the lengthiest runway in Africa and has been used by NASA as a landing site for space hardware.
- As an added little bonus, we will have the opportunity to visit the town of Sheikh located way up in the mountains. It’s really nice up here and we will have some tea and refreshments.
- Make our way back again to Hargeisa city for a farewell dinner with the group. Afterward, we hit the arcade, check out some local sports, bowling, and sheesha.
Tuesday 21st May
- Arrive at Asmara Airport in Eritrea as per you own travel schedule (if you are not joining from Somaliland) Your guide will greet you at the airport and you will be transferred to our hotel in Asmara – The Crystal Hotel.
- After everybody arrives we will get to know each other and kick things off with dinner and a few drinks.
- End of Somaliland tour - and just the begining of your Eritrea tour!
- Airport transfer to the airport to catch the 7:35am flight to Dubai, for a noon arrival. We will have a hotel room booked so we can either crash, relax in the hotel or go out exploring.
Wednesday 22nd May
- Somaliland & Eritrea Combo group get the 3:40am flight to Asmara, arriving at 6:30am
- Eritrea group arrive at Asmara airport and meet up with the rest of us
- Our local guide will meet our flight at the airport and we will be transferred to our hotel, the “Ambassador Hotel”.
- We will meet our new group members at the hotel before heading out for our first group dinner and drinks in Eritrea!
Thursday 23rd May
- This morning after breakfast we will take a walking tour around Asmara and get the chance to check out some of the architectural beauties on the art-deco streets. Constructed while the Italians were the colonising power here. Examples include the Albergo Italia (1899), the Presidential Palace (1907) and the Hotel Hamasien and Post Office constructed in 1916.
- There will be plenty of remnants of the Eritrean & Ethiopian conflict which raged for two years between 1998 and 2000 that can see as well.
- City Hall (built 1890) again by Italian architects. There is an interesting photography exhibition here that is evidence of the countries difficult history but also the progress that has been made in more recent and peaceful years.
- Independence Day celebrations in Eritrea and Asmara will be getting underway at this point and you can expect music and cultural displays on the streets. There will be a marathon happening if you want to join in! Traditional food aplenty for us to try on the streets as well.
- You will visit Revolution Square which will be the centrepiece of many Independence Day performances. We will enjoy the evening in the city while waiting for the giant fireworks display that will ring in Eritrea Independence Day proper at midnight.
Friday 24th May - Eritrea Independence Day
- Early morning (if you want to) 6 am 21 gun salute to mark Independence Day in Eritrea. We can get breakfast afterwards and then take a stroll around Asmara to soak up some of the atmosphere and chat with Eritreans on the streets.
- Citizens make huge efforts for Independence Day so you can expect a lot of colour and exhibitions of different types up and down Liberation Avenue in Asmara. We can get some lunch and then head to Asmara Stadium. There will be more performances here and a military air show and will also feature a speech by the president of Eritrea.
- In the evening we will have dinner in a traditional restaurant and of course, take an opportunity to sample some of the local drinks here as well. If you want to take part in some dancing to round off the Independence Day celebrations you are welcome to do so!
Saturday 25th May
- Today we jump aboard the Italian Historic Railway (100 years old!), making our way through various tunnels and until we reach our destination Nefasit. While on board we will take part in a traditional coffee drinking ritual.
- When we arrive unfortunately we will need to split into male and female groups with our female guests taking in the sights of Nefasit while the guys will do to Debre Bizen monastery. However! We will all be heading back to Asmara by road and be getting pizza together when we get back. Yes, pizza!
Sunday 26th May
- Today we will make our way to Massawa with a 100km or so journey by road. We will stop along the way of course for lunch. The journey is interesting as the landscape is incredible and there is a drop in sea level from 2400 meters to 0.
- We will check into our hotel after we arrive and take a stroll around Massawa before heading to Gurgusum Beach. You can take a swim here if you like. Asmara may have its Italian influences but Massawa has many great examples of Turkish architecture in addition to Italian.
- Authentic Eritrean dining experience this evening at “Salam Restaurant” where freshly caught fish is cooked in a traditional oven. We can enjoy this perhaps at sunset with praying from mosques in the background. We will later check out what Massawa has to offer by night including a few watering holes.
Monday 27th May
- Where possible with our destinations, we try to give you an insight into a countries education system by doing a school visit and chatting with the kids. Eritrea will be no different and after getting some breakfast this morning we will be visiting a local school.
- Afterward, we will hop on a boat and go to Dahlac Marine National Park. Which includes The Red Sea’s Dahlak Archipelago of approximately 124 islands. This is definitely a highlight of your trip and there will be some historical sights dating back to the 8th century. If you have a diving license let us know, please. For an extra cost, you can dive among heavy weapons which were disposed of after the war with Ethiopia and now act as artificial reefs. If you don’t dive you can also rent some snorkeling equipment.
- After arrival back in Massawa that evening we will head out for dinner and drinks.
Tuesday 28th May
- Today we make our way to the Kohaito archaeological site. This was an ancient pre-Askumite construction. There are examples of art here that indicate the site is as old as the 5th Millennium BC. The journey and landscape on the way here are amazing. We will stop along the way for refreshments.
- After we get there will have a picnic in truly unique place and tour the area. As an added little bonus and adventure to your trip, we will camp at Kohaito beneath the stars.
Wednesday 29th May
- No pressure this morning, we will eventually hit the road back to Asmara and we will get there at around 4 pm. We will hopefully have the chance to watch some football at the Cinema Roma and chat to some of the locals about your own life back home. We will have a farewell dinner and drinks together.
- Airport transfers arranged, depending on flight arrangements.
- End of tour.
