Travel to Somalia

Somalia: Various travel information

How do you get to Somalia?

Airplane

Daallo Airlines is currently the only international airline that flies to Somalia. The planes (Ilyushin-18) run two to three times a week from Djibouti. International connections are also provided by the Somali airline Jubba Airways. These connections are also flown with Ilyushins-18 and go between Mogadishu and Dubai and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). Both Daallo Airlines and Jubba Airways land and take off from Aaden Cabdulle Cismaan International Airport near Mogadishu, which reopened in 2006.

Ship

The country’s main shipping ports are Mogadishu, Kismayo, Berbera, Boosaaso and Marka. Entry by ship is not possible or recommended, because the waters outside Somalia are very dangerous due to piracy and ship hijacking, especially in the Gulf of Aden.

Car and bus traffic

There are connecting roads from Somalia to Djibouti and Kenya. Likewise to Ethiopia, but the border crossings are currently closed, so neither cars nor buses can enter. We would like to point out once again not to enter Somalia by car – even if the borders should be open again.

Travel in the country

Air connections Domestic air connections exist between all major cities in the country such as Mogadishu, Galkayo, Hargeisa and Sharjah. These routes are flown by the Somali airline Jubba Airways, which uses Ilyushins-18 for this.

Ferry connections

There are no navigable waterways in Somalia. However, passenger ships operate along the coast of the country.

Railways

There is no railroad network in Somalia.

Buses and Taxis

Buses and taxis are the only means of transport for local people. Although there is something like a national bus network, passengers are mostly transported by truck.

Car traffic

Somalia has a total of around 2,600 km of paved roads. The main highways lead from Mogadishu to Burao, Baidoa, Kismayo and Hargeisa. Road conditions are generally less good, so four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. The only traffic rule that still exists after about 20 years without central government: Somalis drive on the right-hand side or in the middle of the road.

It is important to note that, due to the high risk of terrorism, it is not recommended to drive your own car through Somalia. If you still have to drive your car, you should keep the doors locked from the inside from the start of the journey to the end of the journey. Particular caution is required at red lights, because there the risk of being mugged or attacked is particularly high. If necessary, you shouldn’t even stop at red lights. Under no circumstances should you take hitchhikers with you!

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Somalia is:

SP

Local currency, foreign exchange regulations

Local currency

The local currency is the Somalia Shilling (SOS)

  • Importing and exporting the local currencyThe import and export of the local currency is limited to 200 SOS.
  • Import and export of foreign currenciesThe import of foreign currencies is unlimited, but must be declared. The amount must be exchanged at the official bank within five days and receipts should be kept. The export is limited to the declared amount.

Goods and Customs Regulations

The following articles may be imported into Somalia duty-free:

400 cigarettes or 40 cigars or 400 g tobacco

1 bottle of wine or spirits

perfume for personal use.

Travel medicine and vaccinations

Infectious Diseases

In Somalia, the following infectious diseases, which are not or less common in Germany or Central and Northern Europe, are to be expected:

  • Malaria: There is a high risk of malaria in the country year round. About 80% to 90% of the infections occur with the very dangerous malaria tropica, the rest with malaria tertiana.
  • Amoebic dysentery
  • Bacterial agitation
  • Schistosomiasis – especially in the Maharashtra area
  • Cholera – but there is only a risk of infection for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
  • Dengue fever disease
  • Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and all kinds of viruses and bacteria
  • Filariasis
  • Yellow fever – incidence nationwide
  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Kala Azar disease
  • Leishmaniasis Disease
  • Meningococcal meningitis
  • Polio, polio
  • tetanus
  • rabies
  • Typhoid – however, there is only a risk of infection for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
  • Tick bite fever

Vaccination recommendations

  • Cholera – but only among travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
  • Diphtheria – a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Yellow fever – absolutely !!
  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Polio, polio – vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Meningococcal meningitis
  • Tetanus – a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Rabies – but only for high-risk travelers who can come into contact with the vector animals.
  • Typhoid – but only for travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.

Compulsory vaccination

A valid yellow fever vaccination must be proven on entry.

Malaria prophylaxis

When traveling in the country, it is strongly advised to undergo malaria prophylaxis. However, if the side effects seem questionable to you, you should at least have a “stand-by preparation” with you.

Security notice

In Somalia and also in the capital Mogadishu, there are repeated attacks and armed conflicts with Al-Shabaab terrorists, which often leave numerous injuries and deaths. These attacks are particularly targeted at security forces and government institutions, but also hotels, markets and other public institutions. Anyone staying in Somalia must be aware of the dangers posed by terrorist attacks, combat operations, piracy and criminally motivated acts of violence. In the event of an emergency (health, crime or war-related), functioning government agencies that could provide assistance are largely lacking. As there is no German diplomatic mission in Somalia, local consular protection is not possible.

You can obtain the latest safety information from the Federal Foreign Office

Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany

Citizens’ Service

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000

Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000

www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de

Somalia: Diplomatic missions

Visit Countryaah for a full list of Somalia embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

Representation of Somalia in Germany

Embassy in Berlin

Potsdamerstr. 144

10783 Berlin

Tel.: 0049 – (0) 30 – 236 30010

E-Mail: tifowmm@hotmail.com

Representation of Germany in Somalia

The embassy in Nairobi/Kenya is responsible:

Embassy in Nairobi

PO Box 30180

00100 Nairobi

Ludwig Krapf House

Riverside Drive 113

Tel.: 00254 – 20 426 21 00/20 445 17 02

Austrian representation in Somalia

The Federal Republic of Austria has no representation in Somalia. Responsible is:

Embassy in Kenya

2nd floor, City House, Corner Wabera Street/Standard Street

Nairobi

Tel: 00254 – (0) 20 – 319 076/077/078

Email: nairobi-ob@bmeia.gv.at

www.aussenministerium.at/nairobi

Die The Austrian embassy in Kenya is still responsible for:

  • Burundi
  • Comoros
  • Congo (Democratic Republic)
  • Rwanda
  • Seychelles
  • Somalia
  • Tanzania
  • Uganda

Representation of Somalia in Austria

The Somalia embassy in Austria is currently closed.

Swiss representation in Somalia

Switzerland has no representation in Somalia. Is responsible

Embassy in Kenya

International House, 7th floor, Mama Ngina Street

00100 Nairobi

Tel: 00254 – (0) 20 – 222 8735

Email: nai.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

www.eda.admin.ch/nairobi

The Swiss Embassy in Kenya is still responsible for:

  • Burundi
  • Rwanda
  • Seychelles
  • Somalia
  • Uganda

Travel to Somalia