Northern Africa
East Africa
Southern Africa
An expedition into the heart of Puntland, all the way to the legendary Cape Guardafui, where ‘Mussolini’s lighthouse’ stands tall.
From Bosasso to Garowe, via Cape Guardafui and Cape Hafun – the easternmost point of mainland Africa – amongst the remnants of Italy’s colonial era in the Horn of Africa, meeting nomadic herders and Somali fishing villages.
A unique trip led by the Italian anthropologist Leonardo F. Paoluzzi.
What’s more, on this special trip, we’ll visit Somaliland, which has declared itself independent from Somalia for more than twenty years but has not yet been recognised by the international community.
A journey off the beaten track, for true travellers
A trip to Somalia requires strong motivation and a great ability to adapt. The treasures this country holds are not easily accessible; organisation and logistics are complex, and armed escorts are often required.
There will be long journeys; you will often travel on rough tracks; food (special dietary requirements cannot be guaranteed) and accommodation will be whatever is available in these remote areas; you will have to wait patiently at checkpoints; and you will have to adapt to the inevitable changes to the itinerary… In short, an experience for ‘true travellers’ who are not put off by the complexities of life in Africa, aware that the opportunity to traverse these remote and hard-to-reach lands, whilst interacting with the Somali people, is a privilege reserved for the few – and a precious gift that will certainly make up for the hardships of the journey.
Day 1: Tuesday 24 November 2026
Outward flight
Day 2: Wednesday 25 November 2026
Outward flight/Hargeisa (HGA)
The chaotic bustle of the capital of the ‘country that doesn’t exist’, with murals and monuments commemorating independence.
Day 3: Thursday 26 November 2026
Hargeisa/Las Geel/Berbera
The ‘Sistine Chapel’ of the Neolithic era, featuring hundreds of votive cows and human figures.
Day 4: Friday 27 November 2026
Berbera/Batheela Beach/Hargeisa
The Ottoman quarter of Darole and the secluded beach at Batheela.
Day 5: Saturday 28 November 2026
Hargeisa (HGA)/Addis Ababa (ADD)
The camel market in Hargeisa, before continuing on to the Ethiopian capital.
Day 6: Sunday 29 November 2026
Addis Ababa (ADD)/Bosaso (BSA)
Bosaso with its markets, the beaches on the Gulf of Aden and the hot springs at Biyo Ukulele.
Day 7: Monday 30 November 2026
Bosaso/Bargaal
Travelling through a rocky desert, meeting Somali nomadic herders, and visiting the ruins of the Majeerteen Sultanate’s palace.
Day 8:
Bargaal/Cape Gardafui/Bargaal
On to Ras Asir (Cape Gardafui) to admire the Italian lighthouse.
Day 9: Wednesday 2 December 2026
Bargaal/Hafun
On to the easternmost point of East Africa, a boat trip to Cape Hafun, the lighthouse, the salt flats and the Italian colonial buildings.
Day 10: Thursday 3 December 2026
Hafun/Qardho
A long journey into the remote inland areas of Puntland.
Day 11: Friday 4 December 2026
Qardho/Eyl
Eyl, Somalia’s hidden gem, with its old town and fort, beaches and markets, the colonial lighthouse and the military base of the Italian 3rd Battalion, and the fishing village of Badey.
Day 12: Saturday 5 December 2026
Eyl/Garowe
The Garowe cattle market, amidst hundreds of head of cattle.
Day 13: Sunday 6 December 2026
Garowe (GGR)/Return flight
Final visits in Garowe before returning home or continuing by air to Mogadishu
Day 14: Monday 7 December 2026
Return flight
There are no extensions for this tour, please contact us at [email protected].
