The idea started with our Founder Abdirizaq Abdullahi. A young refugee during the Civil War, fortunate to find a new home in The Netherlands. After graduating from Law School, he decided to travel. Fascinated by adventure travellers he had met, he wondered whether experienced travellers wanted to visit Somaliland, the place where he was born. Inspired by Simon Reeve – Journalist who visited Somaliland for a BBC television documentary called “Places That Don’t Exist“, Abdirizaq years later went back to explore Somaliland. This was the start of Somaliland Travel Agency, which later evolved into Macrobia Expeditions.
The company was started with a couple of promises. First promise was to provide consistent quality service. Only than we could fulfil our second promise, which was to promote Somaliland as a next travel destination. As we expand to include other countries, we have embraced the name Macrobia Expeditions to reflect our broader horizons. However, Somaliland remains at the heart of our operations with our headquarter and majority of our staff in Hargeisa.
Our third promise was to help with creating a tourism infrastructure to make sure local communities can benefit from tourism. Macrobia Expeditions only recruits locals staff members who are in no way related to the owner. Talent and passion are what we look for. In addition, we only use local facilities during our tours.
We only focus on the destinations that we know and grew up in. This means that we know everything about
+the places that you will be visiting. In most cases we have created the itineraries from scratch as there is no tourism infrastructure. We continually look for interesting places and engage with local communities.
Quality and Service go together. From the first contact until returning home, we will be guiding you
+We are happy that our guests have complimented us on our personal touch and responsive communication. We closely monitor client satisfaction and are consistently seeking new ways to exceed our client’s expectations. Our company has been chosen as Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 with a 5 STAR Rating on TripAdvisor. Read what our clients have to say about us.
All our tours are aimed to directly benefit the local people and communities.
+Everything that we use is owned by locals. From the accommodation, restaurants to everything else needed to facilitate the tours.
We understand better than anyone else that traveling to this region might come with
+inconveniences. Because of our on-the-ground information we can better monitor the situation and make the necessary arrangements. Your safety and comfort are our highest priority.
Create with us your tour on your own pace that will maximize your unique experience.
+With us you do not need to wait on fixed group departures. With us, your welcome anytime of the year.
We are proudly members of Responsible Travel since 2017. We help with the preservations of nature and
+archaeological sites primarily in Somaliland. We must admit this is not easy as Authorities and people in these kinds of countries have other priority such as bringing food on the table. Our responsibility nevertheless remains to do as much as possible and educate the communities.
Our staff consists of a group of young and vibrant people who will assist you with all your pre-trip planning needs. The staff and guides are locally born in the countries. What unites us is that we are passionate about promoting the region and the extensive local knowledge that we have on the traditions, culture, and history. We have offices in Somaliland, Djibouti and The Netherlands, ensuring consistent service across these regions.
Abdirizaq’s journey is a testament to resilience and passion. Born in Hargeisa, Somaliland, he fled at age four due to the Somali Civil War, finding refuge in The Netherlands. There, he earned a Law degree and built a career in corporate law and compliance. His love for travel led him across Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa. A solo backpacking trip to Somaliland reconnected him with his roots and unveiled the region’s potential as an off-the-beaten-path destination. This inspired him to establish the Somaliland Travel Agency, which later evolved into Macrobia Expeditions, aiming to share these hidden gems with like-minded travelers.
“As an adventure traveler myself, I hope I can better pinpoint what travelers are looking for and serve them well.”
Abdilahi, born in the agricultural town of Arabsiyo, Somaliland, developed a passion for exploration early on, traveling to various towns and remote areas. He later moved to Hargeisa, the capital, to study Business Administration and Accounting. Bfeore given in to his passion for exploration, Abdilahi held roles in accounting and IT. Since joining us, he has extensively explored the region, discovering new and interesting sites for our programs. His favorite part of the job is being on the road with our clients.
“Learning about our clients’ cultures and perspectives has allowed me to grow.”
Mohamed Youssef, a native of Hargeisa, Somaliland, graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering and initially worked in the food trading industry. He began his journey with Macrobia Expeditions as an intern and, through dedication, became a full-time team member. Eager to expand his expertise, Mohamed pursued courses in tourism, photography, and videography. His passion for capturing the essence of landscapes, people, and wildlife enriches our tours. Currently, Mohamed manages our company’s brand and social media platforms, and also serves as a tour guide.
“I want to create positive change of Somaliland and the region through pictures and video”
Meet Souheb, the youngest and newest addition to the Macrobia Expeditions team. A graduate with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Djibouti, he honed his hospitality skills managing his family’s restaurant. His experience extends to the logistics sector, where he contributed to a transit company. Souheb combines business insight with practical service skills, reinforcing our dedication to delivering outstanding travel experience.
“I am eager to deepen my understanding of Djibouti’s rich history and culture, and to share this knowledge with our clients.”
