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Tourist Places to Visit in Galkayo (Galcaio), Mudug, North Africa, Africa

Galkayo is the capital city of Mudug region of Somalia, located between 06°46′11″ N latitude and 047°25′51″ E longitude. It is in the north-central part of the country, around 700 km north of the national capital, Mogadishu. Galkayo features a hot arid climate with moderate hot weather year round. Galkayo is one of the thriving cities of Somalia, holding all the necessary facilities like banks, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, hotels, colleges and a stadium as well. Galkayo holds a blend of historic and modern tourist attractions.

 

History of Galkayo:

Galkayo came under the rule of many regional powers in its long and grand history, including by the Sultanate of Hobyo, who ruled Galkayo during the early modern age. Galkayo became a part of Italian Somaliland in the beginning of the 20^th century. After the independence of Somalia, Galkayo was promoted as the administrative centre of Galkayo District.

 

How to get Galkayo?

The Abdullahi Yusuf International Airport is the airport serving Galkayo with scheduled flights from/to Aden, Berbera, Bosaso, Mogadishu, Nairobi-Jomo Kenyatta, Wajir and Mogadishu. The airport is situated around 3 km away from the heart of the city, can be reached by bus or airport taxi.

The bus transportation of Galkayo is extended to northern Somali cities such as Bosaso and Garowe. Minibuses are mainly used to get around Galkayo and in addition of buses, taxis are also used.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Galkayo:

Galkayo is well-known for its educational institutions like the Puntland State University, the campus of East Africa University, Mudug University and Puntland University of Science and Technology. Football is a very famous sport in Galkayo.

Galkayo houses dozens of boutiques as well many shopping centres, including Galkayo Shopping Mall. Restaurants are spread up all around Galkayo city.

 

What to do in Galkayo?

• Visiting university
• Visiting Internet cafes
• City tours
• Shopping

 

Must see in Galkayo:

 

Cawaale Stadium:

The Cawaale Stadium is a prominent sports ground and landmark of Galkayo city. It is manly used for football matches, home to RPS FC, Dowladda Hoose FC, Homboboro FC and many other soccer clubs in the city.

 

The Taar City Hotel:

Apart from accommodation services, The Taar City Hotel is famous among visitors for its domesticated ostriches that freely roam within the hotel premise from dawn to dusk.

 

Abdullahi Yusuf International Airport:

The Abdullahi Yusuf International Airport is a modern airport, situated around 3 km away from the midpoint of the city. Other than travelers, the airport receives visitors for its grand construction and pleasant surrounding environment.

 

Galkayo shopping Mall:

The Galkayo shopping Mall is one of the highlights of Galkayo, located in the centre of the city. The mall holds all kinds of shops ranging from electronics store to cloth shops. The construction of the shopping centre is also nice to see.

 

The campus of East Africa University:

Galkayo houses one of the campuses of the East Africa University. Other than offering various courses and providing quality education, the university also has great hand in showcasing the local culture to visitors.

 

List of other places to see in and around Galkayo include:

• Port of Berbera
• The Governor’s Palace of Mogadishu
• National Museum of Somalia in Mogadishu
• The city of Hargeisa
• Beaches in Berbera
• Borama International Airport
• Beaches of Bosaso
• Port of Bosaso
• NASA Runway in Berbera
• National Museum of Somalia in Mogadishu

 

When to visit Galkayo?

Probably the best time to visit Galkayo is from May to October when the weather remains pleasant and supportive for outdoor activities.

 

Where to stay in Galkayo?

Galkayo is home to several upgraded hotels with all latest facilities and services. Apart from amenities, visitors can also taste authentic Somali dishes at Galkayo’s hotels. In the below list, the first four hotels are in Galkayo and the rest of the hotels are in Mogadishu (around 700 km from Galkayo):

• Kamaal Hotel
• Classic Hotel and Restaurant
• Saylan Hotel
• Taar City Hotel
• Hotel Shamo
• Mogadishu Airport Hotel
• Jazeera Palace Hotel
• Hotel Nasa-Hablod
• Sahafi Hotel
• Oriental Hotel
• Amira Castle Hotel
• Aran Guest House

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Erigavo, Sanaag, North Africa, Africa

Erigavo, also called Erigabo, is a town situated in the Sanaag region in the northern Somalia, between 10°37′05″ N latitude and 047°22′12″ E longitude, around 400 km east of Berbera and 170 km west of Haylan. The surrounding areas of Erigavo are a heaven for wildlife enthusiasts, with a wide range of animal species such as Dorcas Gazelle, Hamadryas baboon, Suidae,Abdim’s Stork, Long-crested Eagle and Black-backed Jackal. Erigavo experiences a semi-arid climate with an average rainfall of 400 millimeters per year.

 

History of Erigavo:

According to the archeological findings found in the area, it is concluded that Erigavo is more than 500 years old settlement. Erigavo saw the rule of Warsangali Sultanate at the beginning of the modern age. The chief of Dervish State, Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, used Erigavo as an outpost at the turn of the 20th century.

 

How to reach Erigavo?

Erigavo hosts an airport but that is not currently served by any flights. The nearest major airport to Erigavo is Berbera Airport, situated around 400 km from Erigavo. This airport is catered by African Express Airways (Galkayo, Dubai, Mogadishu, Nairobi, Sharjah, Wajir, Aden and Bosaso) and Daallo Airlines (Mogadishu, Djibouti and Dubai).

By road, Erigavo is connected to all the major northern Somali cities like Hargeisa, Berbera, Bossaso and Borama. The local transportation of Erigavo is served by minibuses and rental bikes.

 

Food and shopping in Erigavo:

One can find many standard shops and restaurants in Erigavo that offer both traditional and modern products.

 

Things to do in Erigavo:

• Exploring historical sites
• Day tours
• Walking

 

Places to see in Erigavo:

 

Shimbiris:

Shimbiris, also called Mount Surud Cad, is the highest mountain in Somalia with an elevation of 2,460 metres. Located in the Cal Madow mountain range, Shimbiris is situated around 2 km west of Erigavo, frequented by hikers from all around the country.

 

Wildlife in Erigavo:

Erigavo is an ideal place for travelers keen on seeing a wide range of African animals. Animals include Hamadryas baboon, Suidae, Common Dwarf Mongoose, Abdim’s Stork, Hartebeest, Dorcas Gazelle and Black-backed Jackal.

 

Sanaag University of Science and Technology:

The Sanaag University of Science and Technology is a prominent educational institution as well as a cultural centre in Erigavo. It was founded in the year 2009 and offers different latest courses on business and social science, culture and arts subjects. Visitors are allowed with a prior permission.

 

Maydh:

Maydh is a port town, situated around 75 km north of Erigavo. Other than port and beaches, Maydh houses many historical structures, including tombs that can be well explored through a guided tour.

 

List of other places of interest in and around Erigavo includes:

• Haylan
• Erigavo Airport
• Hargeisa
• Port of Berbera
• Beaches in Berbera
• National Museum of Somalia
• Mosque of Islamic Solidarity
• The National Theatre of Somalia
• The National Library of Somalia
• Mosque of Islamic Solidarity
• The Somali National University
• National Museum of Somalia
• Arba’a Rukun Mosque
• Mogadishu Cathedral
• The Governor’s Palace of Mogadishu

 

Best time to visit Erigavo:

Erigavo is a year round destination and the tour of Erigavo can be experienced best between May and October.

 

Accommodation options in Erigavo:

Hotels in Erigavo are limited to traditional options only. So it is advised for visitors to reach Berbera or Bosaso or Hargeisa to find modernized hotels. Hotels in Berbera (around 450 km from Erigavo), Bosaso (400 km) and Hargeisa (600 km) are listed below:

• Al Madiina in Berbera
• Hotel Huruuse in Bosaso
• Hotel Juba in Bosaso
• The Tropical in Bosaso
• The International Village Hotel in Bosaso
• Hadhwanaag Hotel in Hargeisa
• Ambassador Hotel Hargeisa in Hargeisa
• Maan-Soor Hotel in Hargeisa
• Oriental Hotel in Hargeisa
• Safari Hotel in Hargeisa
• Deero Hotel in Hargeisa

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Eyl (Eil), Nugal, North Africa, Africa

Eyl is a Somali town, situated in the Nugal province in the northern part of the nation, around 1160 km northeast of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. It comes under the autonomous Puntland macro-region, functioning as the administrative centre of Eyl District. Being an ancient town, Eyl holds many famous historical sites, including Daarta Sayyidka Dervish Fort, drawing tourists from the different regions of the country year round. Eyl coordinates with 7°58′00″ N latitude and 49°51′00″ E longitude.

 

History of Eyl:

Although an ancient town, the real history of Eyl begins in the early 20^th century as a stronghold for Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan’s Dervish forces. The town still houses many remains dating from that period and even also from Italian reign. The Italians acquired the town following Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan’s rule.

 

Conenctivity to Eyl:

There is an airport in Eyl but flights are not scheduled. The major closest airport to Eyl is Bender Qassim International Airport in Bosaso. This airport is located around 450 km north of Eyl and operates flights to/from Aden, Berbera, Galkayo, Mogadishu, Nairobi, Wajir and Hargeisa. The Hargeisa International Airport is located around 840 km west of Eyl with flights from Djibouti, Dubai, Mogadishu, Sharajah, Nairobi and many other African and Middle Eastern cities.

Minibuses and rental bikes are highly used for local travel in Eyl.

 

Food and Shopping in Eyl:

There are few standard restaurants in Eyl, of which most are traditional options, offering some nice Somali and other African cuisine.

Shops are also limited in Eyl. Credit card is not everywhere accepted, so advised to bring some local currency prior to reaching the town.

 

Things to do in Eyl:

• Visiting historical sites
• Day tours
• Walking

 

Places to see in Eyl:

 

Daarta Sayyidka Dervish Fort:

The Daarta Sayyidka Dervish Fort is a partially ruined historic fort belonged to Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, who ruled Eyl in the early 20^th century. Fort is allowed for visitors and taking an aid of locals would be helpful for easier exploration of fort.

 

Italian establishments in Eyl:

Visitors to Eyl are welcomed by the colonial edifices constructed during the Italian rule in the town, of which many are well preserved, showcasing the significance of the Italian architecture.

 

Beaches near Eyl:

Eyl is not on the coastline, but not far from it. Beaches near Eyl are white sandy, would be a half day trip for first time visitors. There are shops difficult to find near the beach, so visitors can bring some food packets and other necessities to enjoy the trip.

 

Eyl Airport:

The Eyl Airport is a small airport, few kilometers away from the town centre. It can be reached by a rental vehicle.

 

List of other places of interest in and around Eyl includes:

• Bender Qassim International Airport in Bosaso
• Beaches of Bosaso
• Port of Bosaso
• The city of Hargeisa
• Beaches in Berbera
• Amoud University in Borama
• National Museum of Somalia in Mogadishu
• The Governor’s Palace of Mogadishu
• National Museum of Somalia in Mogadishu
• Borama International Airport
• Port of Berbera
• NASA Runway in Berbera

 

Best time to visit Eyl:

Eyl generally experiences relatively hot climate year round and the best time to visit Eyl is from May to October.

 

Accommodation options in Eyl:

Eyl houses few modernized hotels, so for upgraded options, visitors can consider hotels in nearby cities, advised to reach Bosaso and Hargeisa. The prominent hotels in Bosaso (around 450 km from Eyl) and Hargeisa (around 840 km from Eyl) are listed below:

• Hotel Huruuse in Bosaso
• Hotel Juba in Bosaso
• The Tropical in Bosaso
• The International Village Hotel in Bosaso
• Hadhwanaag Hotel in Hargeisa
• Ambassador Hotel Hargeisa in Hargeisa
• Maan-Soor Hotel in Hargeisa
• Oriental Hotel in Hargeisa
• Safari Hotel in Hargeisa
• Deero Hotel in Hargeisa