Getting Around Somalia

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The buses are the easiest and cheapest way to get around. You need to waive at them as they don’t stop for Tourists because they think a huge 4 x 4 vehicle from the UN or similar organisation is about to pick you up. The first 2 passed me right by! Then I waived and they stopped. Fares are 1000 Shillings (16 USA cents). They all run to the Bus Station in the Central Market. You will get people surprised to see you. They don’t get many tourists here. They are helpful and friendly when you jump aboard.

In all the rows except the back you have folding seats that make the aisle when not full and fold down to fill the buss as full as possible. It’s all very organised. Your bus speed is determined by the conductor, not the driver. They stop everywhere, not just the ‘sub-stations’ when they are trying to get a full load. When it’s full, it takes off at great speed and the door is closed. When they are trying to fill up the conductor spends a lot of time outside shouting to get passengers. The slowest I ever rode had a guy knocking on the walls and doors of houses looking for another passenger. He found some and off we went. This is a fun and relatively quick way to get around.

Be careful! Some are left hand drive vehicles and you have to enter on the road.

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Ethiopian Airlines flies to Hargeisa and other parts of ‘Somalia’ several times a week from Addis Ababa. You can either book on line or just drop into the Ethiopian Airlines office (like I did) and buy a ticket. They take credit cards in person and on-line. They fly to Hargeisa 3 times a week.

On-board Staff are friendly and efficient and you get a sandwich and drink on the flight. The only negative is that the windows are dirty and it is hard to get good photos through the window. Oh well, you can’t get rid of the dust!

***You must have a VISA from the Somaliland Embassy in Addis Ababa to fly to Somaliland! Please email me if you need help. ***

The most ubiquitous form of transport for locals was the Toyota pickup truck. I've never seen anything like how many people that cram into the back. In one case, we saw more than 25 people in the bed of one of those smaller trucks. Amazing.

After a soccer game that we played with the local team, we assisted by giving folks a ride back to their village by offering one of our 5 ton trucks. 75 people climbed on...

The most ubiquitous form of transport for locals was the Toyota pickup truck. I've never seen anything like how many people that cram into the back. In one case, we saw more than 25 people in the bed of one of those smaller trucks. Amazing.

After a soccer game that we played with the local team, we assisted by giving folks a ride back to their village by offering one of our 5 ton trucks. 75 people climbed on...

We did all of our travels in High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs), or the "Hummer," as it's called...

It's a great vehicle, can go almost anywhere, and has a wide range of modifications. As the medics, we had both cargo versions (2 seaters), and ambulances.

Getting there by plane is the best way to get there and you can either take Somali Airlines or Daallo Airlines from the surrounding countries or Europe.
While in Somalia, locals usually walk to where they're going but you can rent a taxi for the afternoon for very little. Or you can take the bus for even less.

I flew Air Somalia from Saudi Arabia (that flight may no longer exist). Don't take any flights first stopping at Hargeisa in the north. Sometimes your seat onward to Mogadishu can't be reconfirmed beyond that point on your supposedly confirmed ticket.
I used taxis. Nowadays, who knows?

You only get a basic flight service from Addis Ababa. It is a short flight (1 hour). No that is not wine - it is apple juice. No alcohol on this flight.