We drove on perfect tarmac for about 160 kilometres from Hargeisa to Berbera. We travelled from the high-altitude (1,334 m), inland city of Hargeisa, descending to the coastal town of Berbera. The wide road runs through the Galgodon Highlands and then down to the coast of the Gulf of Aden, traversing an arid region of Somaliland that becomes more humid near the sea. At some checkpoints, policemen asked for a small bribe, which our driver paid online via the application.
For the entire time, we had an armed officer from the SPU unit with us. It is the Special Protection Unit in Somaliland, which is a unit of the Somaliland Police Force responsible for providing security for international organisations, foreign dignitaries, and tourists. Established in 2004, the SPU is trained to protect its charges, especially in areas outside major cities, and works in conjunction with international organisations like the UN and NGOs to ensure safety.
