Horn of Africa

You will certainly remember your visit to Lake Abbe, a desolate salt lake surrounded by limestone chimneys and dotted with old ruins. Those of you familiar with the film ”Planet of the Apes” will already be aware of the otherworldly landscape that served as the backdrop.

Overnight stay at the Lac Abbe Camp.

In this trip, we will visit the crater lake of Lac Assal, which has the lowest point in all of Africa (-150 m). The lake also has the highest salinity (up to 40%) of any lake in the world. Its spectacular colors and unusual crystal formations give the impression that this is an inhabited area by Afar herders or salt collectors. It is one of the most stunning natural phenomena in Africa.

Return to Djibouti’s capital city and overnight at the Menelik hotel or similar.

After breakfast, transfer to the border with Somaliland in the early morning hours. As we crossed the border into Somaliland, our journey begin. We will travel through the desert to the town of Borama in Somaliland. This is a long and challenging drive which may take ten hours to complete but allows the opportunity to explore a much less travelled route.

Overnight in Borama at the Rays Hotel or similar.

Explore the site of Dhagax Khoure, one of Somaliland’s famous rock art sites, while enjoying a panoramic view of the surroundings. As we journey out here, we pass a number of small seminomadic communities as well as small towns and villages. Thereafter, we drive to Hargeisa where we spend the night.

Overnight in Hargeisa at Damal Hotel or a similar hotel.

Take a walking tour around the city center of Hargeisa to get a further sense of the people and the city. Here you will see the central market, and the MiG Jetfighter War Memorial which stands for the atrocities committed by the dictator during the Civil War, and get some currency converted into schillings at one of the famous street exchange “offices”. Also, you will visit the livestock market where you can purchase your own camel or goat! For those who can’t fit a camel in their luggage, this market will provide great photo opportunities and a chance to see how the Somalilanders do business.

Overnight in Hargeisa at Damal hotel or similar.

Drive to Las Geel, one of the most important rock art sites in Africa and with numerous well- preserved paintings. The quality of the art here is particularly good and Las Geel is a real highlight of the trip. From here we continue to the coastal city of Berbera.

Overnight in Berbera at Damal Hotel or similar.

Explore the old quarter of Berbera, Darole, with its Ottoman era buildings and atmospheric streets. From here drive into the mountains and the town of Sheikh, before continuing to Hargeisa for your final night in Somaliland.

Overnight in Hargeisa at Damal hotel or similar.

Transfer to the airport for departure.

End of trip.