Berbera
Somalia · Africa
About Berbera
Berbera is the capital of the Sahil region of Somaliland and is the main sea port of the country, located approximately 160 km from the national capital, Hargeisa. Berbera is a coastal city and was the former capital of the British Somaliland protectorate before Hargeisa. It also served as a major port of the Ifat, Adal and Isaaq sultanates from the 13th to 19th centuries.
In antiquity, Berbera was part of a chain of commercial port cities along the Somali seaboard. During the early modern period, Berbera was the most important place of trade in the Somali Peninsula. It later served as the capital of the British Somaliland protectorate from 1884 to 1941, when it was replaced by Hargeisa. In 1960, the British Somaliland protectorate gained independence as the State of Somaliland and, five days later, united with the Trust Territory of Somalia (the former Italian Somalia) to form the Somali Republic. Located strategically on the oil route, the city has a deep seaport, which serves as the region's main commercial harbour.
The name Berbera comes from the Somali phrase beri-beri, meaning "occasionally". Before it became a major...
Berbera travel guide
Understand
Berbera is a port city that lies on the coast of Somaliland, facing the Gulf of Aden. For this reason, it's the economic centre of Somaliland, attracting most of the trade that takes place in the country. The city while also serves Ethiopia's trading needs. In terms of attractions, Berbera doesn't have a whole lot to offer. The primary reason for visiting the city rather is to absorb the culture and lifestyle. Today, much of the city is simply crumbling buildings and mud-thatch houses.
Getting there
Most people get to Berbera by travelling overland from Hargeisa, via minibus and 4WD. The journey is 150 km, and usually costs $US5. You will need an armed security officer to escort you between the cities, which will have to be organised in Hargeisa. Sometimes travellers are able to go independently by organising a letter of permission from the Police Commissioner in Hargeisa. If you leave Berbera by road, you will need an armed security guard again.
Getting around
Public transport is limited to taxis or whatever minibuses you can find. If you wish to see the waters, take a Gulf of Aden cruise on a miniature ferry.
See
Baathela Beach. A pristine, sandy beach about 4km from the centre of town. NASA Runway. A huge runway built in the 1980s as an emergency landing for space shuttles. Historic buildings of the different empires in the central city
Do
Swim at the very nice Batalaale beach. Go snorkeling in the beautiful Red Sea.
Eat
Enjoy the dinner beach hotel of Xeeb Soor with the sea waves beside you.
Sleep
1 Al Madiina, ☏ +252 2720254. Located near the centre of Berbera. The rooms vary in quality, depending on price. The most expensive ones have air-conditioning. US$3-20. Maan-Soor Hotel, Baathela Beach (3 km from city centre). Consists of cottages near the beach, but not facing it.
Go next
Hargeisa — Somaliland's capital is one of the safest places in the country Laas Geel is a series of caves that contain cave paintings dating back to 18,000–20,000 BCE
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.