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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is Mogadishu safe?

158 replies

ChamonixMountainBum · 13/03/2026 10:49

I know extremist group al-Shabaab are known for instigating bombings and the odd kidnapping and other armed militia are not shy of robbery and murder but I hear the beaches are really nice. I suffer anxiety but want to step outside of my comfort zone.

OP posts:
Aintgointogoa · 15/03/2026 17:12

Just hopping on to say thank you MNetters. Proper out loud chuckles here. You really do rise to an golden opportunity for trolling and create mad comedic havoc. Good work 😂

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 15/03/2026 18:48

Aintgointogoa · 15/03/2026 17:12

Just hopping on to say thank you MNetters. Proper out loud chuckles here. You really do rise to an golden opportunity for trolling and create mad comedic havoc. Good work 😂

But this a serious post to help a fellow (What's the female equivalent of fellow?) MNer to decide whether to go to Mogadishu or Croydon for a holiday of a lifetime. The length of the lifetime is a moot point.

AgentPidge · 15/03/2026 21:52

Bukrahfilmishmish · 14/03/2026 11:32

I have actually been on holiday to Timbuktu and Ouagadougou. A long time ago…

Never been to Croydon though.

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Is that a stealth boast? "Never been to Croydon"? Pfft. You're too posh, I suppose. Do your DC go to sushi-making classes?

Nicelynicelyjohnson · 16/03/2026 09:37

CrawlingFromShitshowToAfterglow · 15/03/2026 07:59

I'm so glad I found this thread. It's really motivated me!

I've been to Croydon on a Saturday night and survived the fabulous live experience of flying bottles and fists (albeit it was 20 years ago). With memories of that amazing adventure and the wonderful suggestions on this thread, I've found a bona fida travel company and I'm planning a summer trip to Mogadishu with hubby and the kids.

The itinerary is to fly out to Dubai, take a short cruise on the Strait of Hormuz, a few exciting nights in Iran (highlight: an optional beach stay on Kharg Island), Iraq (highlights: a hike in search for the Hanging Gardens of Babylon), Libya (highlight: Arch of Marcus Aurelius) and Syria (highlight: the Ancient City of Damascus). We then have a beautiful beach resort booked in Mogadishu to relax. We've been told that if we hire a boat there, we'll meet some lovely boat captains while we're out at sea, who'll happily take us on an extended cruise for an unspecified amount of time. They, understandably, might expect our families back home to pay for the hospitality they extend to us.

And if we want to lengthen our stay further, there is an optional extra of a week in Afghanistan.

We'll do most of this trip overland by car. Can't wait. My family don't seem so keen. I can't think why.

(Edited to add that I would draw the line at Mordor. That's just far too dangerous my opinion.)

Edited

This actually sounds so nice (apart from maybe the cruise part).

I would love to see the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. I wonder if they would live up to how I imagine them in my head.

CrawlingFromShitshowToAfterglow · 16/03/2026 17:23

Nicelynicelyjohnson · 16/03/2026 09:37

This actually sounds so nice (apart from maybe the cruise part).

I would love to see the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. I wonder if they would live up to how I imagine them in my head.

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@Nicelynicelyjohnson In all seriousness, if you're anywhere near London, I'd recommend going to the 7 Wonders of The World Immersive Experience. They've made the Hanging Gardens of Babylon look even better than what I thought of in my imagination.

Nicelynicelyjohnson · 16/03/2026 19:18

CrawlingFromShitshowToAfterglow · 16/03/2026 17:23

@Nicelynicelyjohnson In all seriousness, if you're anywhere near London, I'd recommend going to the 7 Wonders of The World Immersive Experience. They've made the Hanging Gardens of Babylon look even better than what I thought of in my imagination.

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OMG, I will definitely look into this!

I would do your whole "holiday" as an "immersive" experience, I guess that might be slightly in bad taste but I wonder if there would be a market for it?!

JuliettaCaeser · 16/03/2026 21:21

We’re going on a Mark Warner sailing holiday on the straits of Hormuz. DH did a weekend sailing course in 2003. Sure it will be fun for teens.

Lifelover16 · 20/03/2026 19:06

Bjorkdidit · 13/03/2026 12:14

As if people think the OP is being serious.

I must admit I did! Remember the couple kidnapped by Somali pirates when they were advised not to sail near Somalia?
The couple who were imprisoned during a motorcycle trip in Iran?

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