You may have heard of the Horn of Africa and perceive it as a dangerous region. Forget Somalia and head to independent Somaliland and neighbouring tiny Djibouti to break down your preconceptions. Both of these two Somali-majority countries are among the safest corners of the region, and you're likely to explore them entirely without other tourists.

Come and discover the amazing hospitality and culture of the Somalis. See the booming Hargeisa, the colonial centre of Djibouti City, the well-preserved rock paintings of Laas Geel, the beaches of Berbera and float in the extremely salty Lake Assal, which happens to be the lowest point in Africa!

With us, you will experience the countries in detail with a knowledgeable and reliable guide. Safely, of course.

Day 1

Arrival in Hargeisa. Pick up from the airport and check in at the 4-star Damal Hotel. Welcome to Hargeisa, the capital of independent Somaliland and home to over a million people in the heart of the country. We will explore Hargeisa with a city tour. We will visit the famous camel market and the various markets in the city centre. The city centre is also the site of the 1988 aerial bombardment memorial, a MiG-17 fighter jet of the Somali Air Force, which was shot down and stands on a monumental pedestal. Somaliland broke away from Somalia as a result of those events, but is still waiting for international recognition. One of Hargeisa's peculiarities are huge piles of money on the streets. You can exchange euros or dollars for Somaliland shillings if you wish, although the dollar is also accepted in the country. The centre of Hargeisa is quite compact and we explore it mainly on foot.

Overnight at Damal Hotel in Hargeisa.

Day 2

Breakfast, followed by a pick-up from the hotel and a drive of about 50 km north of Hargeisa. We arrive at the main attraction of Somaliland, the rock painting site of Laas Geel. The paintings at Laas Geel are exceptionally well preserved and depict mostly cattle, but also dogs, monkeys, elephants, antelopes, giraffes and people with, for example, a shield or bow in their hands. According to a French archaeological team, the rock art of Laas Geel dates from 4000 to 1000 BC, while Somalilanders consider them to be 5000 years old. Laas Geel should be on UNESCO's World Heritage List, but it doesn't make it because no one recognises Somaliland.

From Laas Geel, the journey continues to the Gulf of Aden to the port town of Berbera, which has a charming old town ideal for leisurely strolls. Berbera has long sandy beaches in front of it, so you can take a dip.

The daily driving time is around 170 kilometres, or about three hours. The Hargeisa-Berbera road should be in good condition nowadays.

Overnight at Damal Hotel in Berbera.

Day 3

Breakfast, then back to Hargeisa. Free time in Hargeisa.

The total daily driving time is about 155 kilometres, or about 2 hours.

Overnight at Damal Hotel in Hargeisa.

Day 4

In the morning, transfer to the airport and Ethiopian Airlines flight via Addis Ababa to Djibouti. The flight departs at 12.20 and arrives in Djibouti at 17.25. Pick up from the airport and transfer to the hotel in the centre of Djibouti City. Free time in the evening.

Overnight at the three- to four-star Atlantic Hotel in Djibouti City.

Day 5

After breakfast, we drive about 120 kilometres to Lake Assal, 155 metres below sea level, making it the lowest point in Africa – and the third lowest in the world. Lake Assal's water is ten times saltier than seawater and allows floating – just like in the Dead Sea. Lake Assal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the visit, we return to Djibouti City for a sightseeing tour. Djibouti City is home to around half a million Djiboutians and is one of the world's most important port cities. The city is particularly known for its architecture built during the French colonial period.

The total daily driving time is about 240 kilometres, or about 4 hours.

Overnight at Atlantic Hotel in Djibouti City.

Day 6

After breakfast, we will set off on a day trip to Lake Abbe, a large salt lake on the western border of the country – partly on the neighbouring Ethiopian side. The lake's scenery is like something from the Moon or Mars, and is particularly known for its hot springs and limestone peaks, the tallest of which rise tens of metres into the air. Lake Abbe is also home to flamingos. Lake Abbe is at the end of a rough stretch of road and requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The journey takes hours each way.

Overnight at Atlantic Hotel in Djibouti City.

Day 7

After breakfast, transfer to Djibouti airport and return home via Addis Ababa at 12.10.