Travel advice
We’ve put together this travel checklist to help you plan for your trip abroad and stay safe whilst you are there
Ø Don’t openly display valuables such as mobile phones or digital cameras and consider using a padlock on suitcases
Ø Find out about local customs and dress, behave accordingly and obey local laws there may be serious penalties for breaking a law that might seem trivial at home
Ø Be careful when taking photographs, videos or using binoculars. Such activities may be misunderstood, especially near military installations
Ø Consider taking your mobile with you or buy one whilst you’re away. Store useful numbers such as the local police and the nearest embassy or consulate
Ø Check with your service provider to make sure your phone works abroad
Ø Check whether it’s safe to drink local tap water- if not, stick to bottled water and avoid salads, non-peeling fruit and ice in drinks
Ø Use your judgments when buying and eating food you’ve not prepared yourself
Ø Respect the environment and don’t drop litter
Ø Check import regulations for food before you attempt to bring them back home
Money
Somaliland has got the shilling and there are coins and notes. There are three notes which are much used: 50, 100 en 500.
Despite Somaliland has got his own currency the US dollar is much seen.
You can spend it in shops without even changing it into the shilling. There is no ATM so bring enough cash money with you!
Though changing dollars is an easy job! The euro is not yet seen so much. Traveler’s cheques and credit cards are not accepted.
Changing money is a wonderful experience. You will find the moneychangers sitting on the street willing your dollars! Due to good rate you will get plenty of shillings for your dollars! You can even become a millionaire for the time being in Somaliland!
Escort
The government does take good care of its visitors. They want their guests to travel with an official scout.
He assists you to pass the numerous checkpoints very easy though.
Snorkeling and diving
Somaliland Travel and Tourism Agency organizes snorkel and diving trips to Berbera.
There is a rich water world with turtles and an opportunity to see dolphins when you are lucky! There are also plans to organize trips to the Isle of Zeila for diving / snorkeling.
We’ve heard the coastline around Berbera is spectacular!
Even more beautiful than other parts of Africa!
Flora en fauna:
Somaliland is not what you expect: one big dessert. It has many biotopes like mountains en forests.
After the raining season you will find a green coastline. But be aware there are also snakes like cobra’s and deadly adders.
So when you want to go for a walk put on your high shoes! It is paradise for camel lovers! There are more than one million of them throughout the country! There is also the wild impala, the dik dik, the
Oryx and the hyena and we are told you can even find the leopard in the mountains.
We have never been so lucky…you might?
