Somaliland

Somaliland is an autonomous region in northwestern Somalia. Although the government is trying to establish a modicum of safety there, visiting is still not advised. The local Somaliland authorities declared the region's independence from the rest of Somalia in May 1991, but neither the Somali federal government nor any other country or international organization has recognized its sovereignty.

To get in you need a Somaliland visa to enter - do note that Somali visas are not accepted. Most travellers get a visa in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia or the Somaliland Mission in London. You can get details from Somaliland government website [1] or you can contact the Somaliland liaison office in Addis Ababa, phone +251 11 635921. To get to the office you should find the Awraris Hotel, and follow the dirt road that runs down the side of the hotel for 200 metres, then turn right and continue another 200 metres. A Somaliland visa is also allegedly available from the Somaliland representation in Djibouti. The unofficial Somaliland "embassy" in London will also issue a visa. The whole process is refreshingly unbureaucratic and can be handled by post, which makes London the most convenient place to get a visa for travellers who live in Europe and/or want to obtain a visa before travelling to the region.