Somalia Shark-Spotting Tour (Boats and Drones Sharkspotting) 3 days 2 nights - Yes, this is what it sounds like

Somalia Shark Spotting Tour (On Surface, not Cage-Diving) from Mogadishu Port with Armed Marine Escort and Food and Grill

THE HIGHEST SHARK POPULATIONS ARE SEEN BETWEEN MAY TO NOVEMBER, FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. THIS GOES FOR MOGADISHU AND KISMAYO AND NORTH HALFWAY UP TO THE HORN

A Quarter of Profits go to combat shark finning and protect the sharks. The rest goes to keeping the team that tracks shark poachers afloat so they can serve people like you, and the sharks. 

It is compulsory to share the information with the immigration department before you come while mentioning numbers of people you are expecting and their nationalities, nature of their business, so that they can receive invitations and allow us to receive you at the airport and get you into the city. It is the law, and for your own safety. No exceptions.

For Somali diaspora and nationals and some exemptions and waivers written with permits, we can do these tour without the same regime and for smaller, local prices, from about $200 to $500 a day. For most entrants and visitors, you will need the full process and contingent. - You will also sign additional waivers when you arrive and for some nations, need to notarize this in your home country to attest with a witness you know where you are going and in good judgment realize the dangers of here.

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NOTE: WE DO NOT SHARE THE PHOTO OF THE SHIP PUBLICLY FOR SAFETY AND KIDNAPPING PREVENTION - ONLY AFTER CHECKING THE DATA SECURITY WE SEND VESSEL OPTIONS PRIVATELY.

Start Point : Mogadishu

End Point : Mogadishu

Number of people: Maximum 4 (It is not safe to pool more guests unless you bring much more firepower) per contingent group. If your group is more than 4, including any camera or AV crew, we will bring you in shifts or separate teams. 

Day 1 - Arrive in Mogadishu

Pick up at the airport.

Representatives will assist you on obtaining your visa on arrival if not flying in from Somali cities.

You will be taken to the guest house for your briefing followed by a

trip into Mogadishu. We'll see the main mosques, beaches, and markets of the town.

Day 2 – Sailing into (undisclosed) waters 

We sail into the bay and to safe and permitted waters in range of the Somali Navy and Mogadishu, and triangulate ahead of time with local fishermen and reports of shark activities. We spend the day searching for them and settle into the area, and have (fish) aboard as well as for chum sometimes, and we overnight back in Mogadishu or on the liveaboard depending on safety parameters and perimeters at the time.

(FROM Edward Girardet @ the CSM)

With a history dating back to the 10th century, the Somali capital was first settled by Arab and Persian merchants seeking hides, skins, precious gums, ostrich feathers, ivory, and slaves from the Abyssinian hinterland. Sharks were mentioned as far back as the 400's in local language and drawings.

Arab and Persian influences of the past stand out. The mixing of cultures has lent Mogadishu and other port cities such as Brava or Merca, a distinct atmosphere. The Old Town part of Mogadishu is a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, dark, medieval courtyards, moldy townhouses, and ancient mosques. In town fishermen carry around many species of sharks for sale to eat, from hammerheads to other giant maneaters.

Day 3 - Overnight and Cruising, Drone Filming and USV's possible (remote unmanned submarine camera vehicles.) 

We spend the day at the largest infestation point we can find watching the surface, filming from drones and subsea USV's (if available) and chatting with guides and the skipper about the history of sharks in Somalia.

Day 4 - Sailing and return to port

We scour a different way back (we need to change the approach back to port for security) to shore and wrap up Mogadishu with visits to the post castle fort and sunset near Lido and the best parts of the seascape, and debrief. You have an opportunity to get further involved and make a donation to several western and African NGO's that support the preservation of sharks and anti-finning patrols and operations in the horn.

Day 5 - Out

Your security escort will drop you at the airport to catch your flight.

No sightseeing on the final day.

You will be accompanied by an experienced English speaking Somali

guide/translator and a security detail for the entire time 

The trip includes:

All accommodation

Airport pick up and drop off

Local fixer/translator

Security detail with boats

Visa support

The trip does not include:

Visa cost

Insurance

Flights to Somalia

Tips

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A letter of invitation will be issued and the visa collected at

Mogadishu airport. The visa costs US$60 (payable in US$)

We do not directly arrange flights and visas but we can suggest the

best routes and operators.

Turkish Airlines is the most convenient way to reach Mogadishu

from Europe. Jubba Airways from Dubai to Kismayo or Mogadishu and Several from Nairobi

also fly to Kismayu.

Security:

Trips to Somalia do create dangers all of their own and whilst we

want you to have as much freedom as possible we must state that

the security team have the final word with regards to changes in the

itinerary for safety reasons. Whilst security has improved recently in

Mogadishu and deterioration to security could result in the

cancellation of all or parts of the trip at short notice.

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*Notes: Tours can be slightly different than the above itinerary but if changes need to be made, you will be informed beforehand in most circumstances. Exact times and orders of sites visited are flexible. If you spend more time than advised at a destination you may miss aspects or stops on the tour and as s result will not be entited to any refunds. We do not take groups of more than a set maximum for ease of management and quality. We can typically customize and add special needs and activities and extensions to all of these tours. You are legally bound to follow the laws of the nation and also follow the authority on tour at all times and obey the safety rules. Guides and guards are the authority on tour and you are to pay attention to their directions. There will be no toleration of breaking the safety rules or endangering the guides and the group. Somalia is not an expensive destination but is not a budget travel country either. Tours are low price guaranteed already and though we can beat and match, we are a direct supplier and do not bargain. No cancellations are allowed nor refunds under any circumstances outside of our booking terms and condition and policy, and it will be your problem and loss if you cannot make your flight or trip and have failed to read the conditions. If the country or a section of it is closed or we cancel the tour you will always receive a full refund for the trip only and be notified of such. Ask us for special projects and customized itineraries