Las Geel - Somalilands main tourist attraction

Somalilands' tourist attractions are not plenty in numbers, but those few, which are there, are worth to be seen. After having lived for almost one and a half year in Somaliland, I have finally made it to visit the major tourism site, too: The rockpaintings from Las Geel - Las meaning water and Geel meaning Camels. However, its name does only partly pay tribute to the history of this place. None of the numerous rockpaintings shows even the smallest camel. Instead, the massive caves are decorated with hundreds of cows, in a variety of situations:

milking cows

pregnant cows

grazing cows

decorated cows

The variety was almost endless. Next to cows, some other animals were eternalized on the rocks of Las Geel, too. On the picture below, you can see the Director of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (yes, Somaliland has a ministry for culture and tourism!) pointing at some giraffes. Have these been the last giraffes of Somaliland? Today, the rockpaintings are the only witness that these gracious animals have ever lived here.

Shabelle, how the Director introduced himselves to us, had come down to the caves together with a British tourist. Alone prospects of such a special treatment are worth to visit this country, dont you agree? In which other country of the world would a simple tourist have the honour to be guided around by the Director of a Ministry?

Besides phantastic paintings of pregnant and milking cows, the area around the caves is quite rewarding, too. What could be better for a passionate mountain climber like me than climbing a little peak? On top of Mt. Las Geel, I enjoyed the view and a nice chat with my new colleague from SwitzerlandAnd this is the view. Empty river beds, called Wadi, and a wide, semi arid, yet in my eyes beautyful landscape.
None of us doubted the peacefulness of the place. Yet, as it is the rule in Somaliland, we were accompanied even to this remote spot by the so called SPU, special police unit. I dont necessarily feel safe with a kalashnikov in my back, but thats the package that one gets in Somaliland. Either you take it, or you leave it. But than you should also leave the country.

Anyhow, even our SPU (who are, by the way, to a great extend quite sympatetic fellows) seemed to enjoy the day and to learn more about their ancestors The caves also offered some cosy sitting areas

And here again, the Wadi. By the time we visited the place, it was nearly empty. But be aware of rain. These innocent sandy riverbeds can turn themselves into torrential rivers within less than an hour!