Togdheer

Togdheer is a region in northern Somalia, administered by Somaliland. The landscape is characterised by the Golis mountain range in the north and the Haud savannah plateau in the south. The region is named after the Togdheer River, a seasonal watercourse that flows through the area.

The regional capital, Burao, is Somaliland's second-largest city and a major commercial centre, particularly known for its livestock trade — Burao's livestock market is one of the largest in the Horn of Africa. The city has historically been an important meeting point for Somali clans.

The cooler months from November to February are best. The region experiences two rainy seasons: Gu (April to June) and Dayr (October to November).

Burao is connected by a relatively well-maintained road to Hargeisa (approximately 160 km west). Roads to other areas are unpaved. The security situation is more stable than in southern Somalia.

• Burao — the regional capital, known for its massive livestock market
• Oodweyne — a town in the region's interior
• Buuhoodle — a town in the eastern Togdheer, near the disputed border with Puntland

Somali pastoralist cuisine dominates: camel milk, goat meat, rice, and pasta. Burao's central location means it has a wider variety of Somali dishes available.

Burao was historically the site of important clan conferences. Traditional Somali culture, poetry, and oral traditions thrive. Livestock trading culture is central to the region's identity.

• Visit Burao's livestock market, one of the largest in the Horn of Africa
• Explore the Golis mountain range
• Travel the historic trade route between Burao and the coast