Somalia Transportation Tips by DAO

by DAO , 2 more photos

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND:
The buses are the easiest and cheapest way to get around. You need to waive at them as they don�t stop for Tourists because they think a huge 4 x 4 vehicle from the UN or similar organisation is about to pick you up. The first 2 passed me right by! Then I waived and they stopped. Fares are 1000 Shillings (16 USA cents). They all run to the Bus Station in the Central Market. You will get people surprised to see you. They don�t get many tourists here. They are helpful and friendly when you jump aboard.

In all the rows except the back you have folding seats that make the aisle when not full and fold down to fill the buss as full as possible. It�s all very organised. Your bus speed is determined by the conductor, not the driver. They stop everywhere, not just the �sub-stations� when they are trying to get a full load. When it�s full, it takes off at great speed and the door is closed. When they are trying to fill up the conductor spends a lot of time outside shouting to get passengers. The slowest I ever rode had a guy knocking on the walls and doors of houses looking for another passenger. He found some and off we went. This is a fun and relatively quick way to get around.

Be careful! Some are left hand drive vehicles and you have to enter on the road.

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Transportation: HOW TO GET HERE

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Written by DAO

on Mar 4, 2007

by DAO , 4 more photos

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Ethiopian Airlines flies to Hargeisa and other parts of �Somalia� several times a week from Addis Ababa. You can either book on line or just drop into the Ethiopian Airlines office (like I did) and buy a ticket. They take credit cards in person and on-line. They fly to Hargeisa 3 times a week.

On-board Staff are friendly and efficient and you get a sandwich and drink on the flight. The only negative is that the windows are dirty and it is hard to get good photos through the window. Oh well, you can�t get rid of the dust!

***You must have a VISA from the Somaliland Embassy in Addis Ababa to fly to Somaliland! Please email me if you need help. ***

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Phone: +251-11-665 6666
Website: http://www.ethiopianairlines.com/
Other Contact: Reservation@ethiopianairlines.co

Transportation: EGAL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

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Written by DAO

on Mar 15, 2007

by DAO , 4 more photos

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND:
Egal Airport is named after Prime Minister Mohammed Egal � the first political leader of the fully independent Somaliland. When you arrive is a crazy and bustling place that is the real Africa. Exciting, chaotic, but it all works. Leaving is straightforward. They do check through your bags as they have no x-ray machine. You pay the departure tax and sit either inside or outside (recommended � take a chair to sit on). They do have a small caf� and Duty Free and you can get a cold soft dink while you wait. If you sit outside you can watch an ambulance chase away the goats that get on the runway.

Three airlines serve the airport:

Ethiopian Airlines

Djibouti Airlines

Daallo Airlines

Otherwise you need to catch a ride with the UN or other airplanes owned by NGO�s.

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Website: http://www.world-airport-codes.com/somalia/hargeisa-2851.html

Transportation: ETHIOPIAN FLIGHT SERVICE

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Written by DAO

on Mar 16, 2007

by DAO