Kismayo (also Kismaayo, Kismayo, Kismayu and Chisimayu) is a port city in Southern Somalia.

Understand

A bird's eye view of Kismayo

Kismayo is a port city around 500 km south of the capital Mogadishu, and has a population of around 250,000. Since 1992, Kismayo has been a city in constant turmoil with local war lords, the federal government, African Union peacekeepers, Al Shabaab and others all vying for control of the area.

Get in

The Kismayo International Airport terminal.

As warring insurgents have made road travel extremely dangerous, travelling by plane is the only safe option to reach the city. Air fare from Nairobi to Kismayo ranges from US$450-500 for a return ticket.

• 1 Kismayo Airport (KMU  ^IATA). (updated Jan 2021)

Get around

Buses are the main form of transportation in the city.

Eat

The city offers a range of dishes that include standard African fare and traditional East Africa meals.

Sleep

• 1 Golden Beach Hotel, ☏ +252 61 7342659. Beachfront hotel, among the nicest in town. (updated Aug 2019)
• Hotel Cascasleey, ☏ +252-07903209446. Small hotel with 22 rooms built in 1983, a restaurant and a mosque is available at the hotel grounds. 

Stay safe

See the warning on the Somalia article for more information on the security situation.

The city is not safe for any visitors. Arrival by car from Mogadishu is extremely dangerous, while arriving by sea invites risk of attack by pirates.

Go next

• Kenya