Somaliland

Established during the Somali Civil War of the early 1990s, Somaliland isn’t internationally recognized as its own sovereign country, but it has enjoyed a small but significant tourism industry centered around its seacoast and its historical sites; and is a somewhat more stable and secure destination than Somalia itself. That said, the U.K. and the U.S. governments (among others) warn their citizens against travel to Somaliland given the threat of terrorism.

Hargeisa, the capital, is decently set up to accommodate foreign tourists, and functions as the logical base camp for Somaliland excursions. Its markets—including the huge daily livestock bazaar—are fascinating to wander. And some of the region’s major landmarks lie nearby, including the caves and outcrops of Laas Geel on the city’s outskirts, one of the Horn of Africa’s most notable archaeological sites, which conceal a celebrated collection of 5,000- year-old rock art. Other destinations include the deep-rooted port of Zeila, known to the Ancient Greeks, and showcasing a rich array of historic architecture, including striking ruins of the Kingdom of Adal, a Middle Ages Muslim sultanate.

Meanwhile, Somaliland’s reef-edged coastline provides some of the least developed beachfront anywhere in Africa. And its countryside sweeps from the Gulf of Aden and coastal drylands up to rolling plateaus and rough mountains, including the Cal Madow, which exceed 7,000 feet. Across that landscape mosaic are countless scenes of arresting beauty.

For your average tourist, Somaliland is not a go-to African getaway; the current situation is just too tumultuous for carefree vacations. But there are plenty of discoveries to be had here on the northern edge of the Horn of Africa, and the government is doing its best to attract (and safeguard) travelers.