Sub Saharan Africa

Insurance

 

If, despite our advice, you travel to Somalia, you should ensure that you take out adequate medical insurance before arrival and carry a comprehensive medical pack when travelling.  Medical insurance should cover the cost of air ambulance evacuation out of Somalia in the event of serious accident or illness.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

 

British Representation

 

There is no British representation in Somalia.  Coverage of Somaliland is provided by the British Embassy in Addis Ababa: http://unkinethiopia.gov.uk/en

 

Coverage of other parts of Somalia is provided by the British High Commission in Nairobi: http://ukinkenya.fco.gov.uk/en

Registration 

 

British nationals planning to visit Somaliland in spite of our advice not to do so should register their presence with the British Embassy in Addis Ababa.  This can be done by either contacting the Embassy direct or through the Africa Educational Trust (AET) office in Hargeisa; (tel:  +252 213 4534; fax + 252 213 4501).  Those planning to visit other parts of Somalia in spite of our advice not to do so should register with the British High Commission in Nairobi.  You might also wish to register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

 

Money

Credit cards are not accepted in Somalia and it is not possible to obtain currency advances against a credit card.  If you go, you should take hard currency, normally US dollars.