Laas Geel
Somaliland
Laas Geel
Rock art painted an estimated five thousand years ago, among the best preserved anywhere in Africa.
Visit SomalilandRock Art & Heritage Sites
Ancient rock art and archaeological sites that see a fraction of the visitors similar sites draw elsewhere in the world.
Overview
Somaliland's Laas Geel holds rock art painted an estimated five thousand years ago, among the best preserved in Africa. Chad's Ennedi Massif adds sandstone arches carved with their own ancient artwork.
Sudan's pyramids at Meroe, when travel conditions allow, outnumber Egypt's and stand largely unvisited in open desert, a genuinely different way to encounter ancient African history.
Laas Geel, SomalilandWhy Do This
01
Some of the best preserved ancient rock art in Africa
02
Standing in open landscapes rather than behind museum glass
03
Genuinely low visitor numbers compared to similar world sites
04
A different angle on Africa beyond wildlife and primates
Rock Art & Heritage Sites By Country
Somaliland and Chad hold two of Africa's most significant rock art sites, both seeing only a fraction of the visitors similar sites draw elsewhere.
Somaliland
Visit Somaliland- Logistics
- Laas Geel is a short drive from Hargeisa, easily visited as a half day trip.
- Cost
- Site visits run around $30 per person including a local guide, one of the more affordable heritage sites we offer.
- Where To Stay
- A small number of hotels in Hargeisa, since this is generally a day visit rather than an overnight stay.
- Our Take
- One of the best preserved and most accessible ancient rock art sites on the continent.
Chad
Visit Chad- Logistics
- The Ennedi Massif requires a multi day 4x4 expedition from N'Djamena, considerably more involved than Somaliland's day trip.
- Cost
- Expect $200 to $300 per person per day, including vehicle, guide and camping equipment for the multi day route.
- Where To Stay
- Mobile camping through the Ennedi itself, since there is no fixed lodge infrastructure in the region.
- Our Take
- A genuine expedition rather than a day visit, rewarding travelers willing to spend several days reaching it.
Best Parks & Regions For Rock Art & Heritage Sites
These sites hold some of the best preserved ancient rock art and rock formations on the continent.
Laas Geel
Ennedi Massif
Chad
Ennedi Massif
Sandstone arches and canyons carved with ancient rock art, explored on a multi day 4x4 expedition.
Visit Chad
Sudan National Museum
Sudan
Sudan National Museum
Sudan's pyramids at Meroe and the artefacts housed in Khartoum's national museum, when travel conditions allow.
Visit SudanWildlife You Might See
These are heritage rather than wildlife sites, though the surrounding desert landscapes hold their own hardy residents.
Sample Rock Art & Heritage Sites Itineraries
A few of our ready made itineraries built around Rock Art & Heritage Sites, or ask us to design your own.
Laas Geel, SomalilandAsk Us To Design Your Heritage Route
A rock art and heritage focused itinerary, built around Laas Geel or a multi day Ennedi expedition.
FROM $1,800 ppView Itinerary
What To Expect
Most rock art sites involve a short walk from a vehicle drop off, with a local guide explaining the history and significance on site. Photography is generally welcomed but flash is discouraged near painted surfaces.
Ennedi Massif, ChadWhen To Go
November to March is coolest and most comfortable for desert travel in both Somaliland and Chad.
BEST
JanBEST
FebGREAT
MarGOOD
AprFAIR
MayFAIR
JunFAIR
JulFAIR
AugFAIR
SepGOOD
OctGREAT
NovBEST
Dec
Best — ideal conditions
Great — very good conditions
Good — solid, fewer crowds
Fair — wetter or hotter, still workable
Pair It With
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Cultural & Community Visits
Direct time with the communities who call these landscapes home, led by community members themselves.
ExploreRock Art & Heritage Sites Frequently Asked Questions
Can I touch the rock art?
No, and guides will stop you if you try. It is a straightforward rule that protects pigment that is already thousands of years old.
How old is the rock art at Laas Geel?
Estimated at around five thousand years old, among the best preserved rock art anywhere in Africa, largely because the site saw so few visitors for so long.
Are Sudan's pyramids at Meroe currently accessible?
It depends on current travel conditions there, which we check before including the site in any itinerary. We will tell you plainly if access is limited rather than book something we cannot confidently deliver.
Let's plan your journey
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