The pioneering first edition of this guidebook was the first dedicated entirely to Somaliland, and this second edition, fully updated and with a foreword by Simon Reeve, continues Bradt's groundbreaking tradition of publishing highly specialist guides to newly emerging destinations. Significantly, this new edition also covers Addis Ababa and eastern Ethiopia - the main gateway into Somaliland. Also included is a detailed historical and archaeological background to a region whose wealth of rock art, ancient burial sites, ruined cities and historical ports stretches back 5,000 years and has links with ancient Egypt and Axum as well as the more recent Ottoman and British empires. Comprehensive birdwatching and wildlife sections include details of where to look for of the region's endemic and near-endemic birds and mammals, while the guide also contains the only proper maps available for the capital Hargeisa and other large towns such as Burao, Berbera and Borama, compiled from scratch using GPS. Somaliland ranks among the world's most obscure and uncharted travel destinations. It comprises the former colony of British Somaliland, which merged with its Italian namesake to form the Somali Republic upon attaining independence in 1960, but unilaterally seceded from the rest of war-torn Somalia in 1991. Now a peaceful and fully functional self-governing democracy, Somaliland still awaits official recognition by the UN AU and most other such organisations more than quarter of a century later. Yet despite its obscurity, this ancient and largely arid land has much to offer the truly intrepid traveller, and the low-key, low-rise capital Hargeisa Is easily reached by air or overland from neighbouring Ethiopia. With this unique guide, discover Las Geel, the most alluring rock art site on the Horn of Africa; the charmingly decayed Ottoman port of Berbera, which provides access to some splendid beaches and offshore reefs; the spectacular Daallo Escarpment, swathed in fragrant evergreen forests that support several endemic bird species; and the abandoned city of Maduna, the most impressive of several mediaeval Islamic ruins dotted around the arid interior.

Table of Contents:
Introduction PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION Chapter 1 Background Information History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education, Arts and music Chapter 2 Natural History Lay of the land, Mammals, Reptiles and amphibians, Birds, Marine wildlife Chapter 3 Practical Information When to visit, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Safety, Women travellers, Gay travellers, What to take, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and weekends, Shopping, Photography, Media and communications, Cultural etiquette and travelling positively Chapter 4 Health Preparations, Medical problems PART TWO THE GUIDE Chapter 5 Hargeisa History, Getting there and away, Orientation, Getting around, Tourist information and tour operators, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do Chapter 6 Las Geel and the Berbera Road Aw-Barkadle, Las Geel, El Sheikh and Bulhar, Ga'an Libah Reserve, Beira Hills, Xabaalo Tumaalood Chapter 7 Berbera and Surrounds History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Around Berbera Chapter 8 Sheikh and Burao Sheikh, Burao Chapter 9 Sanaag Burao to Erigavo, Erigavo, Daallo Forest, Maydh Chapter 10 West of Hargeisa Rock art sites on the Borama road, Tog Wajaale, Borama, Zeila, Giriyad Plains, Looyada Chapter 11 Overland Routes to Hargeisa From Addis Ababa Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Harar, Jijiga Appendix 1 Language Appendix 2 Further Reading Index