From the road into Borama, the land opens into green meadows and fields that stand out against the largely arid countryside around them. The town sits in a mountainous, hilly area, and its unusual fertility has drawn gazelles, birds and camels to the surrounding landscape.
Borama suits a traveller who wants a quiet, unhurried stop in the Awdal region, close to the Ethiopian border, and who is interested in the town's own story rather than a checklist of sights. The modern town was established in 1921 by Ughaz 'Elmi Warfa, Ughaz of the Gadabuursi, under the directive of the British, who laid its foundations.
This guide covers the places and experiences the sources support, plus a plan for a single day. It names only what can be vouched for, so the list is short by design.
Top things to do in Borama
1. Walk the valleys the city is named after
The name Borama comes from the word booraan (plural booraamo), a deep hole or geological depression such as a basin or valley. The city was named after the valleys in the surrounding areas, with Borama meaning place of valleys.
Start here to understand the shape of the place. Combine a walk toward the edges of town with the green meadows and fields that give Borama its unusual fertility in an otherwise arid countryside.
2. Look for archaeological remains in the Borama area
Numerous archaeological finds have been discovered in the Borama area, including ancient remains of tombs, houses and mosques, along with sherds of Oriental wares, particularly Chinese porcelain. The artefacts and structures date from various historical periods, ranging from the 12th through to the 18th centuries, most from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Treat these as sites to observe respectfully rather than to disturb. Note that many finds from the area were sent to the British Museum for preservation shortly after their discovery, so what you see in place is only part of the record.
3. Follow the story of the Borama script
In 1933, Sheikh Abdurahman Sheikh Nuur, a Qur'anic teacher and son of Borama's qadi, devised a new orthography for transcribing the Somali language. This Borama script, also generally known as the Gadabuursi script, was principally used by Nuur, his circle of associates in the city and some of the merchants in control of trade in Zeila and Borama.
It is a distinctively local piece of history, tied to named people and places in the town. Ask locally about the script rather than assuming a dedicated display exists.
4. Trace the medieval Adal Sultanate connection
During the Middle Ages, Borama was ruled by the Adal Sultanate, and the region's great commercial activity in the 15th and 16th centuries is associated with that period. The archaeological material in the area belongs to this same broad story.
Read up before you go so the landscape makes more sense on the ground. Pair this with the archaeological remains above, since the two are part of one history.
5. Note the British Somaliland period in the town's layout
In the first half of the 20th century, Borama formed part of the British Somaliland protectorate. The modern town was established in 1921 under British directive and was subsequently designated as a district in 1925.
This is background for reading the town rather than a single site. It is most useful when combined with a general walk through the centre.
6. See the town's self-help legacy
Borama has been a leading example in community organizing, having been the first area in Somaliland to adopt a self-help scheme in the wake of the civil war. Amoud University, associated with Suleiman Ahmed Guleid, is named among the town's notable connections.
If you are interested in how the town rebuilt itself, this is the thread to follow while you are there. Ask about local initiatives rather than expecting a formal visitor attraction.
7. Watch for wildlife around the green edges
Borama's unusual fertility and greenery in the largely arid countryside have attracted many faunas, such as gazelles, birds and camels. The town represents a key focal point for wildlife in the area.
Early and late in the day are the sensible times to look, and the meadows and fields are where to do it. Keep your distance and let the animals move undisturbed.
8. Time your visit to the climate
Borama has a hot semi-arid climate. June is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 24.1 °C, while January is the coolest, averaging 17.1 °C. Rainfall differs by 110 millimetres between the driest and wettest months.
If you have flexibility, plan outdoor walking for the cooler months and build in slack for rain in the wetter period. This is not a sight in itself, but it shapes everything else on this list.
If you only have one day
Morning: Begin with the valleys the city is named after, walking out toward the green meadows and fields while the day is cool and the wildlife is active.
Afternoon: Turn to the town's history. Look for the archaeological remains in the Borama area, then follow the story of the Borama script and the medieval Adal Sultanate connection, and note the British Somaliland period in the town's layout as you move through the centre.
Evening: Close with the town's self-help legacy, asking locally about how Borama organized itself after the civil war. If you have time before dark, return to the green edges to watch for gazelles, birds and camels.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to visit Borama?
January is the coolest month, with an average temperature of 17.1 °C, and June is the hottest, averaging 24.1 °C. Rainfall between the driest and wettest months differs by 110 millimetres, so plan for wet weather in the wetter period.
What is there to see in Borama itself?
The sources support the valleys the city is named after, the green meadows and fields, the archaeological remains in the area, and the town's history from the Adal Sultanate through the British Somaliland period to the Borama script and its self-help legacy.
How do I get to Borama?
Borama is served by Borama International Airport, the only airport in the Awdal region, named in honor of Aden Isaq Ahmed, Somalia's first Minister of Education. The airport is not in use, though there are plans to rejuvenate it, so do not count on arriving by air.
What wildlife might I see around Borama?
The town's unusual fertility and greenery have attracted gazelles, birds and camels, and Borama represents a key focal point for wildlife. Look toward the meadows and fields at the edges of town.
Start by setting your dates around the cooler months, then build your days out from the valleys and the town's own history.