How to Get a Somalia Visa: Comprehensive Guide 2024

May 24, 2024 0 comment

Somalia, nestled in the Horn of Africa, offers a treasure trove of cultural heritage and breathtaking natural landscapes. With the continent’s lengthiest coastline, adorned with enchanting beaches, cascading waterfalls, and majestic mountain ranges, it beckons adventurers seeking unique experiences off the beaten path. Despite its challenging past, Somalia is increasingly welcoming travelers eager to explore its hidden gems and vibrant culture. Here’s a comprehensive guide for those planning a visit:

Visa Requirements

Travelers can acquire tourist and business visas upon arrival for most nationalities. However, specific prerequisites must be met:

Sponsor Letter: A sponsor letter from an authorized Somali tour company is necessary.

Passport Validity: Ensure your passport remains valid for at least six months from your intended stay.

Return Ticket: Have a return or onward ticket ready for presentation.

After receiving an invitation letter, you should print it to show immigration and airlines when boarding and get ready to pay the visa stamp fee 60$. refer this

Flights

Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu serves as the primary gateway, with various airlines like Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines offering flights. Domestic flights operated by Jubba Airways and Daallo Airlines connect major cities within Somalia efficiently.

Key Destinations

Mogadishu: Explore historical landmarks like the Lighthouse and Hamarwayn, and unwind at picturesque spots like Lido Beach and Jazeera Beach.

Hargeisa: Discover the ancient Laas Geel cave paintings and immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant markets and culture.

Garowe: Marvel at the dramatic landscapes and coastal wonders, including the Bosaso beaches and Cal Madow mountain range.

Kismayo: Experience the charm of the old town and witness the confluence of the Juba River and the Indian Ocean.

Accommodation

Accommodation options vary from basic guesthouses to established hotels in major cities like Mogadishu and Hargeisa. Booking in advance is advisable to secure availability and ensure a safe stay. Visit Mogadishu Tours will arrange you this

Cultural Etiquette

Respect local customs and traditions, especially in predominantly Muslim regions. Dress modestly and learn basic Somali phrases to communicate courteously. Always seek permission before photographing people or their property.

When to Visit

Optimal times to visit Somalia are during the dry seasons (December to March and June to September) when travel conditions are favorable and rainfall is minimal.

Visit Mogadishu Tours

Visit Mogadishu Tours is an authorized tour company operating since 2012, that ensures seamless travel experiences with no visa rejection record for travelers. Explore Somalia’s wonders with confidence and expertise. For more information email info@visitmogadishu.com

Book one of our tour packages, pay the deposit and get an official invitation letter, meet our guide at the terminal visa facilitation, and airport transfer, and start your amazing tour with us.

Embark on a journey of discovery in Somalia, where vibrant culture and natural beauty converge to offer unforgettable adventures beyond imagination.

Visit_Mogadishu

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Great trip to Somalia and Somaliland - Ali organized an incredible trip for us in Somalia and Somaliland. We couldn’t have done it without him. He even helped us get our visas on arrival without any problems. We felt safe and taken care of at all times.
He knew everything about the area and made our trip unforgettable. His enthusiasm and friendliness made us feel right at home. We highly recommend him for a fantastic travel experience!

malucb
March 5, 2024
Perfect organization - The best organisation. Excellent tour in Somaliland done to perfection from Hargeisa. I will come back to try new destinations.

Manuel S
February 28, 2024
VISIT MOGADISHU first class - I traveled with VISIT MOGADISHU between February 17-24, 2024. During the whole trip in Mogadishu and Puntland and Jubaland as well I felt safe and comfortable. Therefore I recommend the services of VISIT MOGADISHU as a trusted and reliable tour operator.

YaneekPL
February 28, 2024
When there is no other option, and you must necessarily hire a tour, they are the best. - I'm Kim Vila, a catalan solo world traveler, been in over 140 countries.

I must deeply appreciate the subterfuge that Omar, head of the "Visit Mogadishu" tourism company, and his partner Ali provided me when I arrived at the Mogadishu airport without an invitation letter (which is provided by independent companies like theirs, and a handful of others throughout the country).
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains on its website that those of us who have a Spanish passport only need to pay €60 and they give us a "visa on arrival" Well, when I arrived I had problems with the immigration police and they almost kicked me out of the country. Luckily they were there to help me, and even give me a very special price, almost a gift - with which they have not earned any benefit from me - for which I am eternally grateful. They gave me a bargain hotel, meals, armored car, driver, 2 police officers armed with Ak-47, and Ali was with me at all times, ensuring my safety in this country devastated by the war it maintains with the Al Shabbab militia. , an affiliate of Al Qaeda. My experience has been extraordinary in every corner of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, and we even left the capital towards the southern coast, in the coastal fishing village of Jazeera. An unforgettable experience, and largely thanks to the professionalism of this agency "Visit Mogadishu", rigorous in terms of security and also comfort, offering clean, safe and quality hotels, as well as restaurants and cafes in the city. I certainly feel lucky to have met you! Thanks a lot!!
Una experiència memorable ;)

Kim V
February 26, 2024
Safe & secure option to see Mogadishu (early curfew makes it hard to get a feel for the city) and Somaliland - After our initial plans fell through, I contacted Visit Mogadishu (VM) to organize a trip to Somaliland and Mogadishu and provide a letter of invitation. They were able to prepare the letter within an hour and we obtained the visa on arrival.

VM worked with Safaari in Hargeisa for the Somaliland portion, which was a 3-day predetermined itinerary. The hotels and food were great. Las Geel paintings were incredible. I wish we'd had more time in Hargeisa instead of visiting Sheekh, which was a bit out of the way and we weren't able to visit the necropolis. Some of the sites in Hargeisa were across from the hotel, so we could have done those on our own. Overall, the Somaliland portion of the tour was fine, but I know now that it can be done cheaper. I generally prefer solo travel without tours, so I would have opted to work with a local hotel to get the necessary visa clearance, permits, and transportation had I known this was possible. In my opinion, the Somaliland portion was overpriced.

Our flight to Mogadishu was delayed, and when we arrived we were informed that there's a curfew at 5pm that requires us to start heading back to the hotel by 4:30. We only had a few hours that first day to stop at a cafe and park to mingle with locals. Unfortunately that was really the only time we were able to do that. The next morning we did spend at the fish market, which was incredible. Other than a short stop at the beach for lunch, we were in the vehicle the whole afternoon. I would recommend skipping the camel farm, since there are bigger camel markets in Hargeisa. I realize the security situation in Mogadishu is beyond the control of VM, but I wish I had known about the curfew. I might have decided to come to Somalia in 10 years in case the situation is improved.

The tour was fine, though, and we saw the major sites on the agenda. A few were closed or no longer available (Black Hawk Down site is gone), but for me I prefer more interaction with the local population and walking or taking tuk-tuks in the city to get a feel for it. I know now that other tours offer post-curfew excursions and staying outside of the green zone, so if you are more risk-tolerant, I would suggest looking into those.

If you want bragging rights that you've been to Mogadishu and/or are nervous about going there and want top security, then VM is great and will take care of you the whole way. The hotel inside the green zone was small, but efficient, has laundry, and great internet. I definitely recommend VM is this is your travel style/interest.

VM was always very professional and the staff friendly. They seem genuinely interested in feedback, and they have been doing tours for a long time. Overall, I did enjoy what I was able to see in Mogadishu. I just wish we could have spent more time at places where real life is happening and less time in the vehicle.

geoddgraphy
February 5, 2024
Mogadishu City tour - Great tour. Everything is well taken care of from the moment I passed through customs. Ali is an excellent and professional tour guide. Safety is well covered with bulletproof car and 2 police officers providing escort. Thanks Visit Mogadishu!

V1484IVomarn
February 1, 2024
I did a 3 day group tour in Mogadishu with Ali and team. It was very well organized and we were able to see all sites mentioned in the itinerary. We traveled to various places in bullet proof vehicles with guards as safety measures. Somalia is an untouched gem, beautiful coastline and so much potential. The long weekend was very enjoyable.

Maria P
December 2, 2023
Amazing Somalia - The tour was really interesting and we enjoyed Somalia and Somaliland a lot. Local people are very welcoming, the cities still "out of the beaten path" and Ali (my guide) was extremely professional, specially to garantee our security. He also did all the effort to make us feel like at home. Go visit Somalia!

Cristiano P
December 1, 2023
2 day Mogadishu tour - It was a really good experience. At no point did we feel unsafe and people are extremely friendly. Obviously, after all the troubles, the infrastructure is lacking and there are a lot of ruined buildings but you can see the potential. Driving around the multitude of tuk tuks is fun, seeing the hundreds of families enjoying a day at the beach is heart warming and the food is very nice. Our guides, Ali and Omar, told us all about the history and showed us the city and surrounding areas.

360garrym
September 18, 2023
Amazing trip & service - I totally encourage anyone who may have reservations about visiting Mogadishu to seize the opportunity, and I highly recommend doing so with the assistance of both Omar and Ali. To expedite the trip planning process, I reached out to them via WhatsApp. They were more than happy to accommodate this request and organized a memorable trip for me in March, although I didn't embark on it until July, during which the weather was exceptionally pleasant.

Omar and Ali prioritized our safety and provided us with clear and stringent guidelines to ensure our well-being throughout the journey. They facilitated visits to numerous attractions within the city of Mogadishu, and they even took us to the outskirts to explore picturesque lakes and the stunning Aljazeera beach. I truly endorse Omar and Ali for anyone contemplating a visit to Mogadishu. Additionally, I would like to suggest considering the inclusion of other destinations in Somalia like Kismaayo, given the availability of daily direct flights from Mogadishu that can effortlessly transport you there.

kalthamg
September 7, 2023

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