DJIBOUTI &
SOMALILAND
Few places feel as far away – in space, time, and rhythm – as these silent landscapes of the Horn of Africa. Here, jagged volcanoes rise from salt-crusted plains, wind moves across empty basins, and the past speaks through stone carvings, ruined ports and age-old customs.
This is a land of contrasts: steaming geothermal fields and still turquoise lakes, nomadic trails and coral-stone towns, Sufi chants and ancient rock art hidden in caves. Along the way, you’ll encounter people whose lives are rooted in place – proud, welcoming, and quietly resilient.
Explorer
Journey
basic accomodations
flexible departure dates
8 days
for 2 or more gueststrip intensity: moderate
Explorer
Journey
Land of Ancient Signs and Untold Stillness
This journey takes you deep into the forgotten corners of the Horn of Africa – to lands shaped by wind and lava, silence and time. In Djibouti, surreal salt lakes and volcanic plains meet Afar nomads and the turquoise waters of the Red Sea. In Somaliland, ancient rock art, Sufi shrines and lively markets reveal a proud culture far from the world’s attention.
You’ll explore the chimneys of Lake Abbe, the prehistoric rock art of Laas Geel, the sun-bleached shores of Lake Assal, the coral-stone town of Tadjourah, the highland pulse of Hargeisa, and the forgotten port of Berbera – once a crossroads of civilizations, now haunting and still.
For those drawn to wide horizons and quiet human stories, this journey offers rare encounters, deep landscapes and the feeling of truly being elsewhere.
Highlights at a Glance:
- Lake Abbe – moonlike crater fields, limestone chimneys and surreal horizons
- Lake Assal – salt-white shores at Africa’s lowest point below sea level
- Tadjourah & Berbera – oriental flair and faded colonial architecture by the sea
- Laas Geel & Dhagah Koure – prehistoric rock art in sandstone caves
- Hargeisa – city walk through markets, murals and modern Somaliland life
- Sable Blancs – swim at a white-sand beach on the Gulf of Aden
- Atmospheric stays – mix of tented camps, guesthouses and local hotels
- All permits included – with security escort for safe travel in Somaliland
Day 1: Arrival in Djibouti – Optional city walk through colonial alleys and minarets
Welcome to Djibouti! After arrival, you are warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel in the capital. Depending on your arrival time, there’s the option to explore the city: colonial facades, narrow alleyways, market scenes and the scent of spices hint at the Arab and French influences that shape this small yet vibrant port town.
A gentle first step into a region rich with contrasts.
Accommodation:
City hotel in Djibouti (e.g. Atlantic Hotel in the European Quarter)
Day 2: Djibouti – Dikhil – Lake Abbe – Into the otherworldly
The journey begins early as we head southwest to Dikhil for a simple lunch stop. From here, the road leads across lava plains and salt flats, past nomads and wandering camels, into one of the most surreal landscapes in Africa: Lake Abbe.
Steaming fumaroles, wind-carved limestone chimneys and shimmering emptiness stretch to the horizon. As the sun sets, the landscape turns gold – silent, vast, and utterly unearthly.
Accommodation:
Tent camp at Lake Abbe
Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3: Lake Abbe – Lake Assal – Tadjourah – Salt, tectonics and the sea
At sunrise, Lake Abbe reveals its otherworldly beauty in soft light. After breakfast, we travel east to Lake Assal – Africa’s lowest point at 157 m below sea level. The lake glows turquoise, edged by brilliant white salt flats and framed by volcanic ridges.
Nearby lies the tectonic triple junction where three continental plates meet – a stark reminder of the earth’s restless forces. In the afternoon, we follow the coast north to Tadjourah, a quiet town of whitewashed houses and old mosques. Time to unwind by the sea.
Accommodation:
Guesthouse in Tadjourah
Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4: Tadjourah – Sable Blancs – Return to Djibouti – Flight to Hargeisa
This morning we head to Sable Blancs, a hidden beach where soft white sand meets the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Aden. Time to swim, snorkel or simply take in the stillness.
In the afternoon, we return to Djibouti City. Depending on timing, enjoy the city’s Arab-African flair.
Accommodation:
City hotel in Djibouti (e.g. Atlantic Hotel in the European Quarter)
Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5: Djibouti – Hargeisa – Markets, memory and modern Somaliland
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Hargeisa, the vibrant capital of Somaliland. Upon arrival, we explore the city’s layered character – starting at the bustling livestock market, followed by the Civil War Memorial, and the remarkable money market, where bundles of currency change hands in the open – a striking example of informal trust-based trade.
In the evening, there may be an opportunity to experience local music and dance in a traditional setting.
Accommodation:
Damal Hotel, Hargeisa
Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6: Hargeisa – Laas Geel – Berbera – Rock art and the Red Sea
This morning we visit Laas Geel, one of Africa’s most remarkable prehistoric sites. Hidden in sandstone caves above a dry valley, the vivid rock paintings – dating back to around 3,500 BC – depict cattle, rituals and symbols in extraordinary detail and colour.
Afterwards, we travel east to the coastal town of Berbera on the Red Sea. After lunch, there’s time to relax by the sea or take a swim on the sandy shores.
Accommodation:
Damal Hotel, Berbera
Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 7: Berbera – Sheikh Mountains – Return to Hargeisa
This morning we explore Berbera’s historic old town, where coral-stone buildings echo Ottoman and British colonial times. Fading facades and ocean breeze give the port its quiet, timeworn charm.
We then travel into the Sheikh Mountains, a surprisingly green highland ridge with cooler air and sweeping views. In the small town of Sheikh, we pause for tea with locals before continuing on to Hargeisa in the late afternoon.
Accommodation:
Damal Hotel, Hargeisa
Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 8: Hargeisa – Dhagah Koure – Departure
On your final day, we visit Dhagah Koure, a lesser-known but striking rock art site tucked into the arid hills outside Hargeisa. The ancient engravings here, like those at Laas Geel, speak of a time long before borders.
Afterwards, we return to Hargeisa and transfer to the airport in Djibouti. You leave with a head full of landscapes, stories, and impressions from one of Africa’s most hidden and evocative regions.
Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch
What is included?
- Return transfers to/from Djibouti international airport
- 7 nights accommodation in typical local hotels, guesthouses & tented camp
- All transfers, drives & domestic flight as per itinerary
- Private English-speaking tour guide
- Meals as per itinerary: breakfast, lunch, dinner (excluding beverages)
- All mentioned activities & sightseeing visits
- Travel permits & special clearances (e.g. Laas Geel, Dhagah Koure)
- Entry fees for all listed sites
- Police escort by the Special Police Unit (SPU) during the Somaliland portion
What is not included?
- International flights to/from Djibouti or Hargeisa
- Country entry visa & visa fees
- Airport departure/entry taxes (if applicable)
- Personal travel insurance
- Souvenirs / gifts and tips
- Items of personal nature / laundry / telephone charges
- Beverages, snacks & additional meals
Important information
This tour takes you through regions with limited tourism infrastructure – flexibility and an adventurrous spirit are essential. Accomodations are basic but clean and secure. Please note: Police escorts in Somaliland are standard practice and ensure your safety.
Accomodations are comfortable in the cities, at Lake Abbe basic but clean and secure. Please note: Police escorts in Somaliland are standard practice and ensure your safety.
Travel times, routes or activities may change at short notice due to political or weather-related conditions. Our trustet local partners will always prioritize your safety.
Djibouti & Somaliland Explorer Journey – from € 3,899
Price per person sharing a double or twin room (based on minimum 2 participants traveling together)
Single supplement or group rates available on request
Trip Intensity: moderate – light activities, short hikes, some uneven ground