Travel advisory · SomaliaGovernments advise against all travel to Somalia.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Banadir (Mogadishu) · avoid all travel · Germany, New Zealand
- Somaliland · avoid all travel · France, New Zealand
- South and central Somalia · avoid all travel · Germany, France, Italy
Also named by one government: Coast of Somalia and nearby waters (Spain), Galmudug (Germany), Hirshabelle (Germany), Jubaland (Germany), Kismayo (New Zealand), Puntland (France), Sanaag (Germany), Sool (Germany), South West (Germany), Whole country and nearby waters (Spain), Awdal (UK), Hargeisa and Berbera corridor (France), Maroodijeh (UK), Sahil (UK)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | advises against all travel | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Do not travel to Somalia for any reason | May 21, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Reisewarnung: vor Reisen nach Somalia wird gewarnt | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel to Somalia | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | formellement déconseillé aux personnes isolées de se déplacer dans la totalité du pays | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Hargeisa
Travelers come to Hargeisa for the Laas Geel rock art, the livestock markets and a city rebuilt after the 1988 civil war.
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Hargeisa is the capital of Somaliland, a region in the northwest of Somalia that declared independence in 1991 and has run its own government since, though no UN member state formally recognizes it. The city sits in the Golis Mountains foothills at roughly 1,300 meters, so its air is cooler than on the coast. Much of the city was damaged in the 1988 civil war and has been rebuilt since.
Most visitors come for the Laas Geel rock art, painted caves on the edge of the city, and for the livestock markets, where camels, goats and sheep are traded in open yards. Hargeisa suits travelers who want time for history and daily life. Two to three days is enough for the city, its markets and a trip to Laas Geel. Check current government travel advice before you go, since conditions in Somaliland and Somalia can change. December to March is the most comfortable time to visit.
Hargeisa in five
- Confirm the entry rules for SomalilandHargeisa is in Somaliland, which runs its own entry rules and is separate from Somalia. Check which one your visa or approval covers before you book.Visas and entry
- Carry US dollars in small notesDollars are used alongside the Somaliland shilling, and card payments are hard to find in Hargeisa. Bring enough cash for the whole trip.Money and costs
- Buy a local SIM on arrivalTelesom and Hormuud both sell SIM cards and top-up credit in Hargeisa. Check coverage for any area outside the city before you rely on it.Phones and eSIM
- Hire a driver through your hotelMost visitors should not plan to drive themselves, and a local driver knows the roads and checkpoints. Agree the day rate and the route before you set off.Getting around
- Check that insurance names SomalilandSome policies exclude or restrict travel to Somalia, and cover for Somaliland may be listed differently. Ask the insurer to confirm in writing before you buy.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD) in common use; Somaliland shilling (SLS) for small change
- Entry
- Somaliland and Somalia set entry rules separately; check both before you book
- Emergency
- No verified number here; ask your hotel for police and ambulance
- Tipping
- No fixed custom; ask your driver or guide what they expect
- Time
- UTC+3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, dry
- FebruaryCool, dry
- MarchWarming, dry
- AprilGu rains
- MayGu rains
- JuneGu rains ease
- JulyHot, windy
- AugustHot, windy
- SeptemberHot, dry
- OctoberDeyr rains
- NovemberDeyr rains
- DecemberCool, dry
Right now in Hargeisa
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
18
- Feels like
- 15°
- Humidity
- 54%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Hargeisa
04:34 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today27°15°0%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 27°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed27°14°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 27°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu27°16°0%Thursday: Fog. High 27°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri29°15°6%Friday: Fog. High 29°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sat29°17°16%Saturday: Fog. High 29°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sun29°19°27%Sunday: Fog. High 29°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Mon29°18°56%Monday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 56%.
Updated 01:48 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 571.6 SOS
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Laas Geelabout 30 to 45 min by carRock art sites with painted cattle and figures, a short drive from the city.
- Berberaabout 3 to 4 hours by carA port town on the Gulf of Aden, reached by a long road across the plains.
- Sheikhabout 2 to 3 hours by carA hill town on a steep road, cooler than the plain.
Before you go to Hargeisa
Rules for Hargeisa, checked
- Check visa rules and current travel advice for Somaliland and Somalia separately before you book, since they change.Source
- Carry your passport at all times. You may pass several checkpoints on the road, and officials can ask to see it.
- Dress modestly in public, covering shoulders and knees, and carry a shawl for mosques and formal settings.
- Alcohol is prohibited in Somaliland. Do not carry it into the country or drink it in public.
- Ask permission before photographing people, police, military sites and government buildings.
Plan around Hargeisa
Entry rules for Somaliland and Somalia, checked before you fly
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, dollars and typical prices for a trip to Hargeisa
Read the guidePhones and eSIMNetwork options and how to top up credit
Read the guideGetting aroundHired drivers, shared transport and the road out of the city
Read the guideWhere to stayGuesthouses and hotels, and what to expect at each level
Read the guideSomaliaBackground on the country and on the Somaliland region
Read the guideHargeisa FAQ
Is Hargeisa safe to visit?
Check your government's current travel advice for Somaliland and Somalia before you book, because it changes often. Ask your insurer in writing whether it covers the trip.
How many days do you need in Hargeisa?
Two to three days cover the city, its markets and Laas Geel. Add more time only for a trip out of the city, such as Berbera.
Is Somaliland part of Somalia?
Somaliland declared independence in 1991 and runs its own government, but no UN member state recognizes it. The federal government of Somalia considers it part of Somalia, so entry rules can differ.
Do I need a visa for Hargeisa?
It depends on your passport and on whether you enter through Somaliland or Somalia. Check the rules for both before you book flights.
Can I pay by card in Hargeisa?
Plan on cash. Card payments are hard to find, so bring US dollars and some Somaliland shillings for small purchases.
When is the best time to visit Hargeisa?
December to March has the cooler, drier weather. The main rains fall in April to June and October to November.