**VISITING MOGADISHU THREAD**

[BlackVelvet]

Covering:

1. Getting there
2. Accommodation
3. Getting around when in Mogadishu
4. Currency and costs



Getting there

I know that Turkish airlines travel to Adan Abdulle but where do they travel from? What other airlines have you guys used?


Accommodation

Most people probably have places they can stay for free but what are the hotels like? What services do they offer and is it guaranteed that if you show up on the day you'll find somewhere to sleep? Finally what are the prices like?


Getting around

Do people rent cars? What's the public transport like? What's the road safety like, is it advisable for anyone who can drive to get behind the wheel?

Currency and cost

Do people use dollars for everything? What are the main expenses while there? How easily can you access your cash and is it advisable to carry it around with you? Can you deposit it at a Xawala and withdraw a bit at a time?



FINALLY: Any advice or places you'd recommend to visit?

[PrinceDaadi]

Getting there:: Turkish Airline normally goes to many destination where qaxootis live so they will take qaxootis from there transit them in Istanbul then to Mogadishu or you can use any other international airline and use Dubai or Nairobi as a connection. You need to consider the cost.

Accommodation: Hotels r little bit expensive since there is a shortage of bed capacity the minimum cost per night is around $50. Sometimes it is had to get hotel booking due to dayuusbaro going back home but since this is not an election time I think you might show up and get a room though it is advisable you do booking early.

Getting around: it is advised you get somebody to take you around, you can rent a car, female drivers have spotted in the city but they r not many.


Currency: while Somali shilling is still circulating US dollar is widely used, due to security reason you can deposit you money in dollars in to your mobile( a system called Evcplus which is similar to Kenya's mpesa) All the shops and restaurants accept EVCPLUS payments.

[hydrogen]

Getting there

You can either do the Turkish airlines flight to Istanbul then Mogadishu, or the typical Emirates from any destination to Dubai and then change of airline (Dallo, Jubba) to one that lands in Mogadishu.

Accommodation
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Revi ... dishu.html | That one looks promising with it's resort style, £16/$25. The Sahafi Hotel is very established too, a lot of important events have been hosted there: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Revi ... dishu.html


Getting around

Do people rent cars?
Renting cars is not something that happens often as you can walk around the town easily, unless you plan a day at the beach with your family or some sort, but usually it's not difficult to get around to the local tea shop, restaurants or facilities.

What's the public transport like?
http://www.somaliareport.com/images_med ... _Stamp.jpg Not the best looking but I'm sure it would do the job and it's quite cheap, set you back some Somali shilling.

What's the road safety like?
The roads have become safer, but as you know this is Mogadishu - so proceed with caution and 90% of the time you'll be fine.

is it advisable for anyone who can drive to get behind the wheel?
Very advisable, there are no more illegal tolls all over the city that point a gun at you in every street corner, and specially since you're living the west a car will be cheap to rent to your standards but unless you're planning to roam the city indulging it all you needn't a car.


Currency and cost

Do people use dollars for everything?
In the restaurants and such, they charge Somali shilling but I'm sure they would give you change if you handed a few dollars, either how you can find money exchanges all over the city and that shouldn't be a big problem.

What are the main expenses while there?
Restaurants, surprisingly, it has become quite a trendy place like the 80's - everyone is so used to dining with their friends.

How easily can you access your cash
People usually keep their money under their beds in a relatives house or something but if you're in a hotel you should ask them for advice on where to keep your dollars. Everyday just take some dollars with you and exchange them.

is it advisable to carry it around with you?
It is advisable to carry Somali shilling around, something 20,000 wouldn't be too bad, but the prices in Mogadishu may have increased.

Can you deposit it at a Xawala and withdraw a bit at a time?
Not too sure about this, but ask your local Dahabshil where you live now and them ask them to connect you with their counterpart in Mogadishu.


FINALLY: Any advice or places you'd recommend to visit?
Definitely Jazeera beach and if you're not planning to dip your feet in the sea then the British-Somali owned restaurant that faces it is the best option!

Hope that helps.

[BlackVelvet]

Thanks guys


Anyone with anything to add/questions please add on

[FarhanYare]

you are better of catching a taxi or walking if it is a short distance. the public transport there is absolute joke i was shocked when i saw the mini matatus with no windows, covered with bullet holes, no paint or rusted away and the alternative to that is qanaax pick up trucks with almost punctured tyres .. again u better of catching a qanax taxi lol

[BlackVelvet]

I don't know why I'm surprised that there are taxis


Btw Hydrogen are you referring to the one owned by the Village guy?

[FarhanYare]

bv,
horta when was the last time you visited and were you shocked by the utter gettoness of the city?

[TheblueNwhite]

Is this inquiry for non Somalis?

[Osob101]

Covering:

1. Getting there
Depends where you are coming from. As you are based in London the cheapest and fastest way would Turkish Airlines with a minimum of three hour connections unlike going to Dubai where you have to change terminals and have 8+hour connection.
2. Accommodation
My advice is to stay with family or friends even though hotel prices have plummeted since the country is no longer in an interim Government but as a diaspora you will be charged more.
3. Getting around when in Mogadishu
If you don't have your own Car than be ready to try to assimilate into the population and depending where you are staying in the city it can get very expensive.
4. Currency and costs
No one uses Cash anymore it's all about ii Soo tuur


Getting there

I know that Turkish airlines travel to Adan Abdulle but where do they travel from? What other airlines have you guys used?


Accommodation

Most people probably have places they can stay for free but what are the hotels like? What services do they offer and is it guaranteed that if you show up on the day you'll find somewhere to sleep? Finally what are the prices like?


Getting around

Do people rent cars? What's the public transport like? What's the road safety like, is it advisable for anyone who can drive to get behind the wheel?

Currency and cost

Do people use dollars for everything? What are the main expenses while there? How easily can you access your cash and is it advisable to carry it around with you? Can you deposit it at a Xawala and withdraw a bit at a time?



FINALLY: Any advice or places you'd recommend to visit?

[Tanker]

Osob
Does Turkish Airline fly direct from London-Mogadishu?

[BlackVelvet]

Is this inquiry for non Somalis?

Yes and everyone who wants to visit Xamar Cadeey (beloved Mogadishu)

[BlackVelvet]

Faraxoos I haven't been for a very very long time.


Osob ii soo tuur is that the mobile cash system Prince mentioned?

[hydrogen]

Osob
Does Turkish Airline fly direct from London-Mogadishu?

Nope, only London-Istanbul-Mogadishu or London-Khartoum-Mogadishu.

[hydrogen]

I don't know why I'm surprised that there are taxis


Btw Hydrogen are you referring to the one owned by the Village guy?

Yes

[Osob101]

Tanker Turkish Airlines flies from your destination example London/Istanbul and it now makes an hour Stop or Crew Change in Djbbouti and than off to Xamar. You don't have to deplane in Djibouti and is much quicker than going though Dubai.

Black velvet

Yes ii Soo tuur is the Mobile Cash Transfer and even buying basic stuff such as vegetables people won't accept cash anymore. Maximum one can recharge is 500 dollars but sooner or later this system will crash and it's very bad for the people.