"Mogadishu, Somalia" Mogadishu by hankcheng

Mogadishu Travel Guide: 18 reviews and 29 photos

Hawlwadaag Road, near the Bakara Market - Mogadishu

Driving along the road, I realized there is not one building without damage from decades of conflict; most of the buildings are destroyed or inhabitable through out the city. Buildings or land, whether it is destroyed or intact, is guarded by whoever claims that property.

On the streets, everything you don't see back home is happening here: Garbage pile up against both side of the street; sand blew from the desert mixed with the trash, some streets even has sand completely covered; Wild animals such as goats, cows and donkeys share streets with people; without traffic law (or any law), people drive on which ever side of the street their soul desire.

Guns and Anarchy

Militia Gunmen are everywhere

While not everyone carry a weapon on the street, there are still a good number of people carry AK47s on their shoulder. Without law and order, Somalis often settle their dispute violently. Fighting is their way of living.

Your personal armed guards

One of my teenage guards.

As for myself, my life was in the hands of my guide. During my stay, the ten gunmen, each carrying an AK47 shadowed everywhere I went. Without their protection, I would've been kidnapped within a minute or two. Average four to five UN staff was kidnapped and held for ransom each year in Mogadishu. That's why the United Nation banned its staff from traveling to Mogadishu for security reason.

Last visit to Mogadishu: Mar 2003
Intro Updated Mar 3, 2004
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Reviews (6)

The Shanghai / Old City Area Things to Do (2)

The Shanghai located along the shore South of the city. The Shanghai was once the “Beach Club” where Italian expatriate... more travel advice

Foreign Exchange at the Bakara Market - Mogadishu

The Bakara Market Things to Do (2)

The Bakara Market is the biggest and busiest market in Mogadishu. Items range from the regular living necessity such as... more travel advice

The Al Aruba Hotel after the civil war. - Mogadishu

Hotel Selection Warnings Or Dangers (2)

Be aware that there are only 2-3 hotel in the city where all the journalist stay. There were incidents where visitors... more travel advice

Technicals Transportation (1)

When you arrange your personal armed guards, you will be traveling with them in one of the pickup trucks, or, the... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
Choose a safe hotel

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Comments (13)

girlie_guy Jun 24, 2008 at 1:51 AM Report Abuse

The most likely chance that the armed guards may kidnap you at gun point and then may kill you after robbing you off....and your relatives wont find the body because there's none to take care of responsibilities. No one goes there. Please dont go.
triplehelix Apr 21, 2008 at 1:39 PM Report Abuse

im not an emotional person but this choked me up a little. im inspired by your travel here in a place worse than baghdad at the moment. did you go as a tourist or journalist?
LuisGuimaraes Feb 22, 2008 at 1:30 AM Report Abuse

There is something beautiful about this page, despite th morbidness of the place itself. It's honesty, perhaps. Simple, as frank as it takes, and not depreciating. Write some more..
MikeStarr5 Nov 30, 2007 at 7:34 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday from Mike and Shelley in sunny "Barking Town" - Woof, Woof - Have a great day ! - Wow and I thought some parts of Barking Town were bad !!!!
atufft Dec 18, 2006 at 8:26 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for the description and images for this very difficult place to visit. Could you provide more specific details on getting transportation, guards, and a hotel room? Also, did you eat only in the hotel room? I might like to visit too.
Rabbityama Feb 2, 2006 at 7:35 PM Report Abuse

It's sad to see Somalia remain in such turmoil. It is probably a beautiful nation...
Fuente Nov 10, 2005 at 9:52 PM Report Abuse

you are a brave man
irisbe Apr 9, 2005 at 12:13 AM Report Abuse

I read your page with lots of amazement. It was a bit of a riskfull travel. Your pictures are beautiful and your tips very helpful.
caffeine_induced78 Nov 18, 2004 at 8:00 PM Report Abuse

What would make you want to visit Somalia? Whatever it is in your soul that makes it that way I think is growing in mine.
vodolaz Oct 15, 2004 at 2:56 AM Report Abuse

Dreadful country. Thanks for photos.