What You Need to Know When You Want To Visit Somalia
Somalia lies along Indian Ocean and Aden Gulf and situated in the Horn of Africa. The country is bounded by neighboring countries like Ethiopia in west, Kenya in southwest, and Djibouti in Northwest.in general, this country in Africa is barren and arid and has two main rivers which are Juba and Shebelle. This is an area which is just slightly smaller compared to Texas State in America. The Somalia from January of 1991 through August of 2000 possesses no working institution. Though a parliamentary form of government was formed in 2000, it expired without a strong establishment of control in the country in 2003. But in 2004, the institution of transitional parliament led to a presidential election.
If you are planning a trip to Somalia, you have to know when the best season to go there is. Generally, the country has 2 dry seasons- July – September, then October-December- and 2 wet seasons-April-June, then October-November. You might not want to go there comes July through September as the temperature turns to be unbearable reaching 40 degrees Celsius. But near the border with neighbouring country Kenya in the southern part of Somalia, tropical climate is experienced. It is best that you travel during the winter dry time, which is December through March, when temperatures during the days is not more than 30 degrees Celsius.
Mouth-watering meat dishes are what constitute the Somali meal and if you are on the vegetarian side, you might not fully enjoy the food culture experience since vegetarianism here is somewhat rare. You will never be hungry with the spread of goat, lamb, beef, and occasionally chicken. They come in broiled, grilled, or fried and spiced with turmeric, cumin, curry, and coriander, which are the basic spices in Somali dishes and best eaten during lunch, dinner, and breakfast at times with basmati rice. Vegetables are also eaten but almost as side dish and oftentimes woven and incorporated in meat dish. But fruits like bananas, dates, pears, oranges, apples, and grapes are abundant here.
One of the most visited places in the country is the beautiful Somali beach that is located near Mogadishu. This is often the place where families go to during weekends. You must remember that women in this part of land are not allowed to show any part of her skin including during swim on the beach. Sharia law is strongly and strictly enforced and by this law women, tourist or local should be fully clothed and must not mingle with the male population in public. But caution must be exercised especially with the current issues on banditry and piracy, trip on coast lines may be risky.
The safest place to visit in Somaliland is its capital Hargeisa. It welcomes foreign visitors like no other place I Somalia and it is more westernized. And if you are planning your trip in this Muslim country, it is recommended that you are with some bodyguards or in the company of Somali armed escort whom you may hire the whole time of your trip.
