Somalia Flag
Why visit Somalia?
Most commonly visited by experienced Journalists & Relief Workers; not a common tourist destination regardless of their architecture, beaches, camel markets, culture, historical sites, mountain ranges, national parks, and waterfalls.
At a Glance
- Souvenirs to Buy: Baskets, camel bone jewelry, handwoven fabrics, and wood carvings.
- Local Cuisine to Try: Baasto (pasta). Barlis Skukaris, (rice dish). Gashaato (sweet snack). Lahoh (bread). Lokma (fried pastry). Malawax (crepe). Muufo (flatbread). Sabaayad (flatbread).
- Local Drink to Try: Raqey (tamarind). Vimto (soft drink).
Fun Facts
- Located on the Horn of Africa.
- Mogadishu is 2 degrees north of the Equator.
- Roughly shaped like a tilted number seven.
- Longest coastline on the mainland of Africa.
- Only has 2 rivers (Jubba and Shabele).
- After meals, residents traditionally burn incense in homes.
- At bedtime, locals tend to consume a glass of milk spiced with cardamom.
Special Holidays/Occasions
- Holidays: New Year's Day, Labor Day, Eid al-Fitr, Independence Day, Eid al-Adha, Ashura, and Mawlid.
Good to Know
- Crime is an issue.
- Credit cards and traveler's checks are rarely accepted.
- English is taught and widely spoken.
- Electricity systems are poor.
- Terrain is flat with hills in the northern region.
- Daylight is 6AM - 6PM throughout the year (Mogadishu).
- Due to Bilharzia (parasite) avoid standing, swimming, or wading in still waters.
- Majority of citizens are Muslim.
- January - February and August blowing sand causes eye irritation.
- Healthcare and treatment centers are far below western standards.
- Avoid tap water consumption.
- Medicines are in short supply.
- Same-sex sexual relations is punishable between 3 months - 3 years in prison.
- Road conditions are poor.
- Requires SIM cards purchased locally with cell phone compatibility.
- Dining sanitization is commonly below western standards.
- Avoid large gatherings and public demonstrations.
- Ambulance services are not present or unreliable.
- U.S. dollars are widely accepted.
- Humidity averages around 80% throughout the year.
- Dinner tends to be served around 9PM.
- April - June & October - December is considered Rainy Season.
- Photographing airports, border controls, government buildings, infrastructure, military installations, photos of people is prohibitive.
- Most shillings (SOS) in circulation are believed to be counterfeit.
- Prevalent Diseases: African Tick Bite Fever, Chikungunya, Cholera, Dengue, Hantavirus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Leishmaniasis, Leptospirosis, Malaria, Measles, Polio, Rabies, Schistosomiasis, Tuberculosis (TB), Typhoid, and Yellow Fever.
This international destination requires:
- A valid passport with 6 months of validity upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
- Tourist VISA required.
- Yellow Fever Vaccination from select countries.
Subject to irregular rainfall, monsoon winds, and tsunami.
- Best Time to Visit: June - September
- Coolest Months: June - September
- Hottest Months: June - September
- Peak Season: June - August
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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.
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