Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DEPARTURE & ARRIVAL TAX
International departure tax is US$41, payable in cash. Arrival tax is US$33. You'll also have to change US$50 in-
to Somaliland shillings (at a poor rate) at Hargeisa airport.
Land
DJIBOUTI
The land border between Somaliland and Djibouti is open. Shared taxis (usually 4WDs)
ply the route on a daily basis from Hargeisa to Djibouti City - a strenuous 16- to 20-hour
journey on a dirt road (US$30 to US$40 for the front seat). Taxis usually leave Hargeisa
around 4pm so as to travel by night and avoid the scorching heat. They drive in convoy -
a matter of survival in case of a breakdown in this desolate area. Bring food and plenty of
water. The border crossing is at Loyaada.
ETHIOPIA
A significant proportion of visitors to Somaliland travel overland from Ethiopia. From Ji-
jiga in eastern Ethiopia there's regular bus traffic to the border town of Tog Wajaale
(Togo-Wuchale on Ethiopian side;
Click here
)
. In Tog Wajaale, take a shared taxi (about
US$7, two hours) to Hargeisa, about 90km to the southeast. Ask to be dropped in front of
your hotel. Expect a couple of checkpoints, but no hassle.
Getting Around
Somaliland has a few sealed roads (like from Hargeisa to Berbera and from Berbera to
Burao). Medium-sized buses and crowded 4WDs service routes between Hargeisa and
major settlements, including Berbera, Borama, Sheekh and Burao. For Zeila and the
Sanaag region, you'll need to hire a 4WD with driver.
You can hire a taxi for about US$70 per day (fuel and escort are extra) or a 4WD with
driver for about US$150. Hotels can help with logistics.
